We generally use Kayak when booking flights as they tend to be the best option for us since we aren't frequent flyers.
We are looking to book business class flights to Orlando in November out of Dublin and via London.
On Kayak we can get a great price by using the round trip search - Dublin - Orlando.
However we want to stop in London overnight on the way out and take in a show as a surprise for our daughter. To do this we need to use the multi-city search option of Dublin - London, London - Orlando, Orlando - London, London - Dublin.

The price is much the same and includes most of the same flights.

What I need to know is if I book using the multi city search is each flight classed as a single flight and so on the way back from Orlando would we need to retrieve our baggage in London and then check them in for the onward flight to Dublin or would the return be classed as a through flight.

I hope I've explained that ok.

Depends if it's the same airline.

If it's on the same airline then you should be all set. If the stop is <24 hours, then it's not a stopover; it's considered a layover, so it's just like a 1 hour layover.

It also matters on how the return is ticketed. If the return Orlando-London-Dublin, as married segments, then you're all set.

Is there a reason you want to stop in London on the way back?

Norri generally speaking the cheapest option for flying from Ireland to anywhere is via the UK mainland

When you search, allow the search engine to search all MCO-DUB on the way back. It might or might not actually go through London. (You can also allow the search engine to include Shannon, Tampa, etc. if you choose.)

I think Norri's question is, do you want to stopover (i.e., get out of the airport and stay for the night or however long, as opposed to merely connecting) again in London on the way back as well? Your post above is written in a way that seems to indicate a stopover on the return, but that's possibly not what you mean (since you only discuss stopping over in London for a show on the outbound portion).

I'd agree though with the advice to not specifically force the search engine to route through London on the return unless you intend a stopover there. Perhaps a routing through London will turn out to be the cheapest, perhaps not...but just asking to search "MCO-DUB" for the return leg will allow it the freedom to find the cheapest price regardless.

As to the luggage, it depends how it's ticketed. However it doesn't necessarily have to be the same airline on the two flights if the two have interline agreements. You can always confirm with the airline when you check in.

Thanks

No we don't need a stopover on the way back. In fact in all honesty if we could avoid it it would be great. I always find return journeys more tiring and then we have a 2 hr drive from Dublin airport too. However so far in searching that option (direct from MCO-DBL) makes the price higher.

Both airports in Belfast would be even more convenient but starting within the UK is horrendously priced. Over the years we have found that the price for us flying from Dublin via London/Manchester/Birmingham etc to an international destination is cheaper that for those poor people getting the flight from the UK mainland airport. Something to do with different airport taxes I think.

UK airport taxes are terrible for those of us starting from provincial airports and having to pay twice each way.

I thought the APD ex-BFS was cut to make it competitive with DUB/SNN on long-haul trips. Did that get changed back??

I don't know it's just when either Belfast airport is entered in the search the price goes up significantly. Well at least with Business prices.

So it could just be that the fares out of Belfast are higher, not that it is in the taxes.

That said, it looks to me that the reduced APD only comes into play for the BFS-EWR flights; connection via other airports (e.g. LON) all have the higher APD.

It must be the cost of Business on the London Belfast leg.

I guess you either drive down to Dublin as planned, or buy separate fares London-Orlando return and London Belfast, and put up with having to take longer in transit on the way home as you collect your bags and check in for the Belfast flight. Personally, I'd rather do that than be faced with a drive north at the end of a long air journey.