My 3 friends and I are preparing to book our London vacation in the next week-10 days or so. We have pretty much decided on US Airways to LGW via CLT as it gives us the best times and one of our travelers is dead set against Delta.

For those of you who have transversed this before, how long does it take to clear US Customs on the return trip? The flight schedule gives us around two hours between landing and our flight to MCO. Should this be enough time?

Is there some reason that you don't take one of the non-stop flights on British Airways or Virgin Atlantic?

We are on a budget, and paying $300 more for a plane ticket is not an option.

I have taken this flight several times and on returning to CLT we have always been the only flight at that time of the day arriving through the customs/immigration area.

We have arrived at CLT from Caribbean at peak time, having to wait on the plane being held up at Immigration and made it thru in 1.5 hrs. So 2 hrs should be plenty.

Immigration and customs times can't be predicted. They don't care what time your connecting flight is. They have the power to hold you up for any reason. There were times when I passed through both in less than 10-15 minutes, but there were few times when it took me couple of hours. I was picked for secondary and if that happens you are at their mercy.

If nothing happens I would say an 1.5-2 hour connection at any US airport coming from international and connecting to domestic should be sufficient. Immigration, customs and finally security will take some time, especially if you are flying in economy.

The longest wait I had at CLT
was about 50 minutes when several
flights landed at the same time.
Enjoy the rocking chairs in the
terminal if you have time!

tnnonline,
I was wondering about Charlotte, too.

The price to LGW via CLT is a little less than 900 RT now for travelling in June. Is this a good price?

Tnn,
Just curious: Why is your friend dead set against Delta?