edgee Posted July 16, 2014 #1 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Arriving Southampton June 3 off of Marina transatlantic itinerary. I see multiple past postings on this board warning not to book Heathrow flights off of Oceania before 1:00 p.m….preferable later. However, when I checked with Oceania, they told me that they consider noon a safe departure time, considering that the ship is due to arrive Southampton at 6:00 a.m. Indeed, if I accept Oceania air without deviation, it is possible I will be booked on a noon flight back to my home airport (IAD.) While i cannot request my air deviation to assure best flights for another six weeks, there are low mileage frequent flyer seats available starting with the noon flight. Given Oceania's advice that noon is a safe flight time, would appreciate any advice from those who have experience with this route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceba Posted July 17, 2014 #2 Share Posted July 17, 2014 We docked in Southampton 2 weeks ago. We were off the ship and with our driver by 8:30. It was Saturday morning so there was little traffic. We were flying United and they are in the new terminal. Because there are not many (if any besides United) airlines in that new terminal, we were through security about 10:45 ( at the latest). Obviously day, time and terminal are a consideration, but that said, I think you could easily do it if you were off the ship earlier than we were. We used Smiths for our driver. We got off the ship early and thought we'd have to wait for him but he was there. Just my thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgee Posted July 17, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Ceba, Thanks for your response. We are traveling on a weekday. What time did your ship arrive Southampton and what was the earliest time passengers could disembark? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 17, 2014 #4 Share Posted July 17, 2014 You could probably make a noonish flight if booking your own air Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceba Posted July 17, 2014 #5 Share Posted July 17, 2014 (edited) Ceba, Thanks for your response. We are traveling on a weekday. What time did your ship arrive Southampton and what was the earliest time passengers could disembark? The ship arrived before 6. People started getting off at 7,but we didn't get off till after 8 because I scheduled the driver for 8:30am. There is a fair amount of construction going on in Southampton, but I don't know if it slows things down too much. It didn't for us because it was the weekend. Edited July 17, 2014 by ceba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanandJim Posted July 17, 2014 #6 Share Posted July 17, 2014 While i cannot request my air deviation to assure best flights for another six weeks Not so. You may request an Air Deviation as early as the moment that you book the cruise, unless you are booking SO EARLY that the airline has not scheduled flights for that time period yet. As you speak about flight times and seat availability, that cannot be the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cashew14 Posted July 17, 2014 #7 Share Posted July 17, 2014 I think you might cut it fine there. If no traffic, you will be able to make a noon flight. In my experience the M3 which leads from Southampton to Heathrow might be very busy as it will be rush hour traffic on a week day. I would go with the 1 pm flight just to be on the safe side. Safest bet would be the train if you are considering a noon flight. Andrea :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 17, 2014 #8 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Not so.You may request an Air Deviation as early as the moment that you book the cruise, unless you are booking SO EARLY that the airline has not scheduled flights for that time period yet. As you speak about flight times and seat availability, that cannot be the case. so what happened to having to wait for the 270 day out to request a deviation?? Are you saying now you can book as soon as flights are posted by the airlines :confused: Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanandJim Posted July 17, 2014 #9 Share Posted July 17, 2014 (edited) so what happened to having to wait for the 270 day out to request a deviation?? Are you saying now you can book as soon as flights are posted by the airlines :confused: Lyn 270 days prior is when the Airlines typically announce their flights. It was never an Oceania restriction. Edited July 17, 2014 by StanandJim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 17, 2014 #10 Share Posted July 17, 2014 270 days prior is when the Airlines typically announce their flights.It was never an Oceania restriction. Most airlines release the flight schedules 330 days out Oceania may not have their contracts in place until closer to 270 days out in my experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgee Posted July 17, 2014 Author #11 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Most airlines release the flight schedules 330 days out Oceania may not have their contracts in place until closer to 270 days out in my experience Oceania told me that they have a 270 day restriction. Even though in my case schedules are out, Oceania contracts with the airlines are only effective 270 days in advance, according to the agent with whom I spoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallydave Posted July 17, 2014 #12 Share Posted July 17, 2014 so what happened to having to wait for the 270 day out to request a deviation?? Are you saying now you can book as soon as flights are posted by the airlines :confused: Lyn You are absolutely correct Lyn. Airlines generally release their flight schedule and open bookings 11 months or 330 days prior to flights. O does not allow deviation bookings until 270 days prior to your initial flight and reasoning is that while your departure flight would be available at the 330 day mark, your return flight would not be available until 330 days prior to returning. This 60 day deviation delay from normal flight availability covers the length of most trips allowing both flights to be booked together. There are cases when if airline contracts are not in place that bookings at the 270 mark might be delayed until a contract is in place depending on contract timing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 17, 2014 #13 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Oceania told me that they have a 270 day restriction. Even though in my case schedules are out, Oceania contracts with the airlines are only effective 270 days in advance, according to the agent with whom I spoke. That is the way it has worked for me also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiawahdon Posted July 17, 2014 #14 Share Posted July 17, 2014 270 days prior is when the Airlines typically announce their flights.It was never an Oceania restriction. It has been 330 days for years. Some airlines are even 336. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted July 17, 2014 #15 Share Posted July 17, 2014 It has been 330 days for years. Some airlines are even 336. Some are even at 354 (BA & QF). On the BA site you can now book flights for 7/6/15 - 354 days from now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgee Posted July 17, 2014 Author #16 Share Posted July 17, 2014 When the 270 day point arrives and a deviation request is made, must it be flight specific? For example, if there is a BA and UA flight back to my home airport at the same time and I do not have a preference can I do an "either one" request based on whichever is cheaper, or do I have to pick one and accept or reject that offer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanandJim Posted July 17, 2014 #17 Share Posted July 17, 2014 When the 270 day point arrives and a deviation request is made, must it be flight specific? For example, if there is a BA and UA flight back to my home airport at the same time and I do not have a preference can I do an "either one" request based on whichever is cheaper, or do I have to pick one and accept or reject that offer? You deal with the air representative on a one to one basis, so you give them as much information as you have and they will proceed accordingly. We very often request, for example, an upgrade-able class of airline ticket, and Oceania's contracts with the airlines don't always allow for that; but we have found that the representatives are very good about suggesting alternatives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 17, 2014 #18 Share Posted July 17, 2014 When the 270 day point arrives and a deviation request is made, must it be flight specific? For example, if there is a BA and UA flight back to my home airport at the same time and I do not have a preference can I do an "either one" request based on whichever is cheaper, or do I have to pick one and accept or reject that offer? You can ask what flights they will give you or you can request specific flights I usually submit the ones I would like to my TA to submit to Oceania So far no upcharge ;) I believe if you use a TA you cannot deal directly with the air dept you must go through your TA ...but what do I know Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanandJim Posted July 17, 2014 #19 Share Posted July 17, 2014 I believe if you use a TA you cannot deal directly with the air dept you must go through your TA ...but what do I know When one engages an Agent, they are legally regarded to be speaking for you, so it amounts to the same thing. Secondly, if the situation is complicated enough, it may warrant a conference call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 17, 2014 #20 Share Posted July 17, 2014 When one engages an Agent, they are legally regarded to be speaking for you, so it amounts to the same thing. Secondly, if the situation is complicated enough, it may warrant a conference call. exactly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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