Compare the Airlines That Fly to Orlando from Ireland
Direct Flights
Aer Lingus
- Direct Route: Dublin (DUB) to Orlando (MCO)
- Flight Time: Approx. 9 hours
- Pre-clearance: Yes, at Dublin or Shannon airports
- Why Choose Aer Lingus?
If convenience is your top priority, Aer Lingus is the clear winner, offering the only direct flights from Dublin to Orlando International Airport (MCO). With Aer Lingus, you’ll complete U.S. immigration pre-clearance in Dublin or Shannon, meaning you’ll arrive in Orlando as a domestic passenger and skip the long immigration queues. While direct flights may be more expensive, the ease of travel and time saved makes Aer Lingus the best choice for a hassle-free journey.
Pros:
- Non-stop convenience
- U.S. pre-clearance at Dublin/Shannon
- Excellent in-flight service
Cons:
- Often more expensive than indirect options
- Availability may be limited during off-peak seasons
Indirect Flights
Delta Air Lines
- Popular Routes:
- Dublin (DUB) to Orlando (MCO) via New York JFK, Philadelphia (PHL), or Atlanta (ATL)
- Shannon (SNN) to Orlando (MCO) via New York JFK
- Why Choose Delta?
Delta is known for its excellent service and high-quality onboard experience, often outperforming some of its competitors. The airline offers convenient stopover locations like JFK, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, which are known for their efficient connection processes. These routes offer a short layover and a smooth transfer to your Orlando-bound flight. Delta’s customer service, comfortable cabins, and good entertainment options make it a solid choice for an indirect route.
Pros:
- Highly rated service
- Good connection options through major U.S. airports
- Often competitive pricing for indirect routes
Cons:
- Indirect, with the need to go through U.S. immigration in your stopover city
American Airlines & United Airlines
- Popular Routes:
- Dublin (DUB) or Shannon (SNN) to Orlando (MCO) via Philadelphia (PHL), Washington (IAD), or Chicago (ORD)
- Why Choose American or United?
Both American Airlines and United Airlines provide decent service and offer similar routes to Delta, but they tend to fall slightly behind in terms of in-flight experience and customer satisfaction. They remain good options if you’re looking for a reasonably priced ticket with a convenient stopover location. American Airlines’ hub at Philadelphia is particularly efficient for travellers connecting to Orlando, while United‘s Washington and Chicago hubs also offer good connections.
Pros:
- Several options for connecting flights
- Good coverage with multiple U.S. hubs
Cons:
- Service and comfort not quite at the level of Delta
- Similar indirect experience to Delta but with fewer premium perks
Air Canada
- Popular Routes:
- Dublin (DUB) to Orlando (MCO) via Toronto (YYZ)
- Why Choose Air Canada?
If you’re happy with a slightly longer travel time, Air Canada is a great indirect option. The stopover in Toronto is longer compared to U.S. hubs, but the airline offers excellent onboard service, comfortable seating, and good food. The extra travel time could be worth it if you’re looking for an overall higher quality of service and don’t mind an extended layover.
Pros:
- Excellent service onboard
- Comfortable seating and good in-flight meals
Cons:
- Longer stopover in Toronto
- Indirect route adds extra travel time
Flying via the UK
British Airways
- Popular Routes:
- Dublin (DUB) to Orlando (MCO) via London Heathrow (LHR)
- Why Choose British Airways?
British Airways is often a good value option when flying indirectly via London Heathrow (LHR). While you’ll need to go through U.S. immigration in Orlando (since there’s no pre-clearance in the UK), BA offers a smooth and comfortable experience, with good service and reasonable pricing. Heathrow is also well connected, making the transfer fairly seamless.
Pros:
- Good in-flight service
- Well-connected through Heathrow
Cons:
- U.S. immigration must be done upon arrival in Orlando
- Indirect route adds travel time
Virgin Atlantic
- Popular Routes:
- Dublin (DUB) or Shannon (SNN) to Orlando (MCO) via London Heathrow (LHR) or Manchester (MAN)
- Why Choose Virgin Atlantic?
Virgin Atlantic is known for its trendy, fun approach to air travel, with excellent onboard service and entertainment. The airline offers connections to Orlando via London or Manchester, making it a solid option for those looking for an alternative to Aer Lingus or British Airways. Though not always the cheapest, Virgin Atlantic often delivers great value, particularly in terms of customer experience.
Pros:
- Great in-flight experience and service
- Exciting and well-rated entertainment options
Cons:
- U.S. immigration done upon arrival in Orlando
- Can be more expensive than other UK-based options
Flying via the UK with Aer Lingus
If you’re happy to fly indirectly, Aer Lingus also offers routes to Orlando via London or other UK cities. While these flights may be cheaper than flying direct, you’ll have to go through U.S. immigration once you land in Orlando, which can add time and stress to your arrival. However, it can be a cost-effective option if you’re looking to save on the price of direct flights.
Pros:
- Cheaper than direct Aer Lingus flights
- Still offers the same high level of Aer Lingus service
Cons:
- No pre-clearance, so you’ll have to do U.S. immigration in Orlando
- Indirect route adds travel time
Summary
- Best for Direct Flights: Aer Lingus is the top choice for its non-stop service and U.S. pre-clearance in Dublin, though it can be pricier than other options.
- Best for Indirect Flights: Delta is highly recommended for its excellent service and well-connected U.S. hubs. American and United are also good alternatives but may lack the premium experience Delta offers.
- For Service and Quality: Air Canada stands out for its excellent onboard service, though the indirect route through Toronto is longer. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are solid options for flying via the UK, with great service and reasonable pricing. However, flying through the UK means you’ll have to clear U.S. immigration in Orlando, unlike with Aer Lingus’ direct flights from Ireland.
Whichever airline you choose, there are plenty of great options for getting from Ireland to Orlando. Your decision will depend on whether you value direct convenience or are happy to trade some extra travel time for savings or better onboard service. Safe travels!
Disney From Ireland 