There is still a lot of work being done at Melbourne, and there will be growing pains. Melbourne has never had this kind of exposure before. I think the most they ever had in terms of international flights was service on very small planes to the Bahamas. I used to live in Melbourne and I was there when the new (the one that is being remodeled) terminal opened. The airport has never been busy. I fact things were so bad at one time that airlines were basically being paid to fly there. Along comes TUI and just like that, the traffic at Melbourne more than doubles. I am talking about traffic in terms of passengers served. In a full 12 month period, TUI will carry more passengers than every other airline at Melbourne combined. Melbourne will learn from its mistakes and shortcomings and they will make adjustments. It is good to have videos like this out there so MLB and TUI can learn what passengers are experiencing and maybe adjust the facilities accordingly. We are maybe 6 months away from passenger rail service connecting West Palm Beach to Orlando. That rail line runs right next to airport property. I am hoping a station gets added there. That will dramatically improve the experience going from Melbourne to Orlando.
Thanks for sharing the insider knowledge. That's really good to know. I think five years from now when the infrastructure is in place it could be great!
Delta is the main airline, with several flights a day, and there are also American Eagle flights. Porter is one of the smaller ones, and Allegiant has had a couple of flights, in and out, each week, for nearly a year.. Melbourne airport was Melbourne Naval Air Station during WWII until 1946. The property was also a prisoner of war camp for German prisoners. During the early years of the space program, the area grew so fast that there weren't enough schools for the children of the families who'd moved there. So they turned the NAS hospital into the "airport school", where many of us began our school life. Our favorite place, the skating rink, was in another former naval base building.
A train station at the airport is crucial to the development of MLB. Seems to be parcels that could develop station with tram to the terminal. Major opportunity for Mel-boring :)
Another point, MLB is a regional airport. The reason why there are not many food options is that the main airlines (Delta, American) that fly out of here are just going on an hour flight to Charlotte or Atlanta. I know in the few times I have flown out of MLB I just grab a bite to eat once I get to either Atlanta or Charlotte.
Thank u so much for this info.. we are booked for september next year and we fly from glasgow with tui into melbourne fl.. i was like where the hell is this 😂...i was a bit lost ... subscribed
My experience was pretty much fantastic flying in and out of Melbourne but the lack of food options are a bit annoying for me as I'm a bit picky but yes, the experience was smooth both ways in and out, I was on the BY122 and BY123 to/from Manchester.
Having never flown TUI, this was quite an interesting and insightful video to watch 👍🏻 Great job. Btw just a small friendly heads up that the old TUI Orlando airport is actually called Sanford airport rather than Stanford 😉 Not to be confused with the Californian university 😅
Great video. Lots of very useful info. I’m sure I saw a video where a local takeaway delivered food to the airport (although it wouldn’t accept the vouchers) but just in case of need Ie diabetic conditions.
Thank you!!! Literally a life saver . Been panicking thinking it was big and how would I find the coach. I was told that the coaches are wheelchair accessible is this true ? Thank you again !!
It's the smallest US airport I've ever been in - by a long way! The bus we went on was VERY dated, so I'm afraid I'm not sure about accessibility. Sorry!
Nice little airport by the looks of it, only ever flown into and out of MCO. Thinking about TUI in the future so appreciate this video. I’ve got to say though that my last experience with the Virgin Atlantic VERA product was extremely disappointing.
I found your channel by accident and really found this helpful. Tui flights to Orlando are really really competitive right now and we have a holiday in a weeks time and we’re going to be spontaneous and book a fly drive, having visited Florida a few times and know how to get around and what we want to do. The only thing that’s stopping us is the voice in the back of our heads reminding us of all the flight cancellations. Even though the flight would be in 10 days, will it go ahead? I expect that is one of the reasons the flights are not full this time of the year. That and fuel costs. Having shared our anx you video was very reassuring and helpful.
These were certainly thoughts we had too, especially travelling with a baby. That being said, the staff were incredible and while there were a few hiccups it was overall a fantastic holiday. I'm sure you'll have a great time!
I'd also definitely recommend taking a look at Aer Lingus as an option to fly from Manchester to Orlando as they offer nonstop services these days as well as services via Dublin 🙂
Thanks, they often come up as a code share with Virgin for me - unless that's changed post-pandemic? This often (not always) makes Aer Lingus significantly more expensive than TUI out of Manchester :(
As someone who fly's into sanford a lot, there are some advantages and disadvantages with MLB. The first thing is Sanford has an awful layout for some of it's gates because it's a call-to-gate system where you are not allowed to go to your gate until your flight's boarding is announced (europe's call-to-gate system is very different because from Sanford's because in Europe, you can go to your gate as soon as it's shown on the monitors). What do you do if you need a seat change or your not sitting with family? You couldn't do anything because the gate agent is in a sterile enviorment where passengers deplane and go to customs, also those gates at Sanford have little to no windows which sucks. MLB doesn't have a call-to-gate system and there is plenty of windows compared to Sanford, and your gate and the gate agent are right there if you need any seat changes! The only things i don't like about MLB are that it does not have enough shopping and dining and it's far away from all the attractions VS. sanford and MCO!
Enjoyed your vlog so much, packed full of information, and a great help to us. Thank you . But it is called sandford , not Standford , as you keep saying
Hi , Im a wheelchair traveller and will be travelling to Melbourne early October for a Marella cruise from Manchester. Looks like i may be able to get around OK and plenty of TUI reps to assist , so looking forward to flying on a 787 Dreamliner too
Sorry you couldn't find a decent meal at Melbourne Airport. There is actually a really good Japanese steakhouse only a kilometer away. I would have gone there.
I used to think SFB was far enough from Int'l Drive, etc and very little or FA to keep occupied during delays, which was barely do-able; but nowadays instead of improving it seems to of gotten worse! distance to resort has DOUBLED, airport facilities almost halved or less!...okay transit through MLB may well be easier / quieter, etc, but given the distance to Orlando (despite MLB being labelled "Orlando" (quite deceptively so in my opinion)), far too lack of facilities at MLB, the almost 2hr drive to Orlando (if traffic is heavy enough, and try doing that drive if the inbound flight from UK is heavily delayed to, say, 8pm), there is no way I'd use TUI for next trip to Florida, and I'd rather use Virgin instead going to MCO; yes the transit through MCO will be a lot longer I'm sure (been through SFB and MCO previously), but it's got all the facilities, (especially if there's any delays), and it's just 30 mins away vs nearly double that from SFB or triple that from MLB
Thank you for your help and advice we fly into Melbourne in September and I’m a lot more comfortable now x
We go next year this has been so informative thank you ❤
There is still a lot of work being done at Melbourne, and there will be growing pains. Melbourne has never had this kind of exposure before. I think the most they ever had in terms of international flights was service on very small planes to the Bahamas. I used to live in Melbourne and I was there when the new (the one that is being remodeled) terminal opened. The airport has never been busy. I fact things were so bad at one time that airlines were basically being paid to fly there. Along comes TUI and just like that, the traffic at Melbourne more than doubles. I am talking about traffic in terms of passengers served. In a full 12 month period, TUI will carry more passengers than every other airline at Melbourne combined. Melbourne will learn from its mistakes and shortcomings and they will make adjustments. It is good to have videos like this out there so MLB and TUI can learn what passengers are experiencing and maybe adjust the facilities accordingly. We are maybe 6 months away from passenger rail service connecting West Palm Beach to Orlando. That rail line runs right next to airport property. I am hoping a station gets added there. That will dramatically improve the experience going from Melbourne to Orlando.
Thanks for sharing the insider knowledge. That's really good to know. I think five years from now when the infrastructure is in place it could be great!
Delta is the main airline, with several flights a day, and there are also American Eagle flights. Porter is one of the smaller ones, and Allegiant has had a couple of flights, in and out, each week, for nearly a year..
Melbourne airport was Melbourne Naval Air Station during WWII until 1946. The property was also a prisoner of war camp for German prisoners. During the early years of the space program, the area grew so fast that there weren't enough schools for the children of the families who'd moved there. So they turned the NAS hospital into the "airport school", where many of us began our school life. Our favorite place, the skating rink, was in another former naval base building.
A train station at the airport is crucial to the development of MLB. Seems to be parcels that could develop station with tram to the terminal. Major opportunity for Mel-boring :)
@@geoffrocque8978 Mel-boring.... lol. You sound like an old school Melbourne resident 🙂 Totally accurate.
Another point, MLB is a regional airport. The reason why there are not many food options is that the main airlines (Delta, American) that fly out of here are just going on an hour flight to Charlotte or Atlanta. I know in the few times I have flown out of MLB I just grab a bite to eat once I get to either Atlanta or Charlotte.
Great point!
Thank u so much for this info.. we are booked for september next year and we fly from glasgow with tui into melbourne fl.. i was like where the hell is this 😂...i was a bit lost ... subscribed
well done! being a resident and being within 1 hour to Disney/ Universal, I couldn't have given a better review of the airport.
Thanks as always Jon-Marc!
Very helpful - we are travelling with TUI to Melbourne in September x thanks so much for sharing x
Glad it was helpful!
You did a brilliant job explaining everything x
Glad I could help ☺️
My experience was pretty much fantastic flying in and out of Melbourne but the lack of food options are a bit annoying for me as I'm a bit picky but yes, the experience was smooth both ways in and out, I was on the BY122 and BY123 to/from Manchester.
Great informative vlog , thanks for taking the time to share 👍
Such a lot of content,you have given to people going to Florida( I won’t be)…but great info…and you are such a lovely speaker.
Thank you Susan, I really appreciate that!
Having never flown TUI, this was quite an interesting and insightful video to watch 👍🏻 Great job.
Btw just a small friendly heads up that the old TUI Orlando airport is actually called Sanford airport rather than Stanford 😉 Not to be confused with the Californian university 😅
How did I not know this 😂
Great video. Lots of very useful info. I’m sure I saw a video where a local takeaway delivered food to the airport (although it wouldn’t accept the vouchers) but just in case of need Ie diabetic conditions.
That’s incredible 😂& very good to know!
Thank you!!! Literally a life saver . Been panicking thinking it was big and how would I find the coach. I was told that the coaches are wheelchair accessible is this true ? Thank you again !!
It's the smallest US airport I've ever been in - by a long way!
The bus we went on was VERY dated, so I'm afraid I'm not sure about accessibility. Sorry!
Really great video thank you! This is the best source of info we have found!
Glad it was helpful! :-)
Nice little airport by the looks of it, only ever flown into and out of MCO.
Thinking about TUI in the future so appreciate this video. I’ve got to say though that my last experience with the Virgin Atlantic VERA product was extremely disappointing.
Great video. Sanford not stanford lol
How did I not know this 😂
I found your channel by accident and really found this helpful. Tui flights to Orlando are really really competitive right now and we have a holiday in a weeks time and we’re going to be spontaneous and book a fly drive, having visited Florida a few times and know how to get around and what we want to do. The only thing that’s stopping us is the voice in the back of our heads reminding us of all the flight cancellations. Even though the flight would be in 10 days, will it go ahead? I expect that is one of the reasons the flights are not full this time of the year. That and fuel costs. Having shared our anx you video was very reassuring and helpful.
These were certainly thoughts we had too, especially travelling with a baby. That being said, the staff were incredible and while there were a few hiccups it was overall a fantastic holiday. I'm sure you'll have a great time!
What a fab informative video thanks x
Glad it was helpful!
I'd also definitely recommend taking a look at Aer Lingus as an option to fly from Manchester to Orlando as they offer nonstop services these days as well as services via Dublin 🙂
Thanks, they often come up as a code share with Virgin for me - unless that's changed post-pandemic? This often (not always) makes Aer Lingus significantly more expensive than TUI out of Manchester :(
@@InsideOurSuitcase Aer Lingus don't codeshare with Virgin Atlantic? They're a member of the IAG group of airlines (like BA, Iberia & Vueling)
Sanford not Stanford
As someone who fly's into sanford a lot, there are some advantages and disadvantages with MLB. The first thing is Sanford has an awful layout for some of it's gates because it's a call-to-gate system where you are not allowed to go to your gate until your flight's boarding is announced (europe's call-to-gate system is very different because from Sanford's because in Europe, you can go to your gate as soon as it's shown on the monitors). What do you do if you need a seat change or your not sitting with family? You couldn't do anything because the gate agent is in a sterile enviorment where passengers deplane and go to customs, also those gates at Sanford have little to no windows which sucks. MLB doesn't have a call-to-gate system and there is plenty of windows compared to Sanford, and your gate and the gate agent are right there if you need any seat changes! The only things i don't like about MLB are that it does not have enough shopping and dining and it's far away from all the attractions VS. sanford and MCO!
Enjoyed your vlog so much, packed full of information, and a great help to us. Thank you . But it is called sandford , not Standford , as you keep saying
Hi , Im a wheelchair traveller and will be travelling to Melbourne early October for a Marella cruise from Manchester. Looks like i may be able to get around OK and plenty of TUI reps to assist , so looking forward to flying on a 787 Dreamliner too
Have a wonderful cruise Steve 🥰
What’s the price difference between British Airways and TUI from Gatwick Airport?
Tui hold luggage policy, have 2x25 kg can I pack in more than 2 bags
Did you guys claim for EC261 with the 4 hour delay? Should be about €600 per person in compensation
We did indeed!
However, a great reminder to those reading and something I forgot to mention in the video :-)
It's an easy get in and get out airport compared to Orlando International.
Did you notice if there was any free wifi at MLB?
Can I ask how much to tip the coach driver going this month.
$5 to $10 is usually what we throw in.
In your opinion which was the best eating option in Melbourne Airport...thanx
Grab something from the bar, this is your best option!
Sorry you couldn't find a decent meal at Melbourne Airport. There is actually a really good Japanese steakhouse only a kilometer away. I would have gone there.
I used to think SFB was far enough from Int'l Drive, etc and very little or FA to keep occupied during delays, which was barely do-able; but nowadays instead of improving it seems to of gotten worse! distance to resort has DOUBLED, airport facilities almost halved or less!...okay transit through MLB may well be easier / quieter, etc, but given the distance to Orlando (despite MLB being labelled "Orlando" (quite deceptively so in my opinion)), far too lack of facilities at MLB, the almost 2hr drive to Orlando (if traffic is heavy enough, and try doing that drive if the inbound flight from UK is heavily delayed to, say, 8pm), there is no way I'd use TUI for next trip to Florida, and I'd rather use Virgin instead going to MCO; yes the transit through MCO will be a lot longer I'm sure (been through SFB and MCO previously), but it's got all the facilities, (especially if there's any delays), and it's just 30 mins away vs nearly double that from SFB or triple that from MLB
What order of universal resorts did the bus stop at?
We were the first Universal Resort - Endless Summer :-)
Don’t you mean SANford Airport?
How much did you tip the bus driver? X
$10
To bad I couldn’t book flight from MLB to London !!😢
TUI fly MLB to London Gatwick
@@rickywaumsley9380 being charted flight Only UK to MLB round trip
Was there AC on the TUI coach?
Yeah :-)
It's Sanford and not Standford, that's in California!!!!!
Jesus is Lord! Its time to repent.