Can anybody answer which routes, airlines locations etc offer the best, cheapest, quickest flights to Halifax from the UK.

I am aware it is a little bit seasonal with direct flights with Air Canada but I have also heard that maybe KLM and Icelandair may be worth looking in to.

Also would it be possible to perhaps fly in to the USA then connect.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

From my experience, Canadian Affair in the summer months (cheap and cheerful) and Air Canada in the winter months. Tried KLM and Icelandair but got nowhere!!

As for going through US not sure but you'd have to pay the visa fee (can't remember what it's called) on top of flights and changing airlines.

ESTA is the thing you need when you travel via US. Costs $14, valid for 2 years and allows multiple enteries and/or transits. Must apply for this with at least 72 hours before entering US.

Quickest isn't neccessarily going to be cheapest. Air Canada is the only carrier AFAIK that flies direct to UK. AC860/1 flies year round but not every day I believe in the winter. 6hrs to UK, 6.5 coming back. That's the quickest transatlantic flight of all, barring the seasonal flight from St. John's which gets one to Heathrow in around 4.5hrs.

I'm a little confused as to what you mean by got nowhere when it came to Icelandair. I have my wife and son booked on a flight to the UK in June for 495 pounds single for both of them, compared to over 600 pounds with Canadian Affair. Okay, they fly via Iceland but that's not a big deal. Icelandair appear to offer flights throughout the year but off season, it seems you have two flight changes, one in Boston and the other in Iceland. If you don't mind all of that, then the prices appear very competitive. I guess DandNHill, it would be nice to see Yarmouth really operating as an international airport. It would help me too! To the original poster, you don't say when you want to fly.

Just tried Icelandair and they came up same as Air Canada for the dates I need. My OH used to work at Gatwick and had to deal with survivor reception when flights came in "in a bad way". Out of the 3 he dealt with in his time 2 were Icelandair flights so he's not too keen on them tbh.
I agree with you re Yarmouth Airport, I shall put in a good word for you

We've just flown back and the cheapest was US Airways. It's not direct (Halifax - Philadelphia - Manchester) but it was an easy flight/transfer.

http://matrix.itasoftware.com

search flights there, book with airline.

We've used Icelandair quite a few times, and found them very good and much cheaper than Air Canada. We also use Continental, you transfer at Newark, which is easy and only just over an hour's flight from Halifax. You can apply online for the ESTA form. If you are looking between April - September also worth checking Condor, prices tend to be reasonable.

How reliable is that Halifax to Newark flight? There's also one to St. John's, which in theory gives the option of connecting through Newark to Europe, but it has the record for the most cancelled/delayed flight in Continental's North American schedule, so it's not a practicable proposition in winter at least!

Im not sure if the X15 flies out of Halifax but Im guessing if it did it would be the fastest though Im not sure on price.
Emirates Airbus Jet A330-200 at a speed of 614 mph for commercial passenger jet but Im sure they dont fly out of Halifax.

I used to fly with them a lot out of JFK for $99US oneway, taxes included. It was a right pain in the arse but if you're young its not too bad. Just don't get too pissed at Keflavík airport's bar as the flight to London is bumpy and cold.

I use Canadian Affair, they use Air Transat. Have had no problem with them, they are considerably cheaper than Air Canada. I saved over £1000 on a one way flight to Halifax in April this year and £1000 saving for my dogs.
Hope this helps

We found if you fly to Toronto with canadian affair or airtransat. Then from toronto to Halifax with westjet it is soooo much cheaper. I was looking last night for some. good luck.

Canadian Affair, as stated, are the cheapest - pay peanuts and guess what you get?

I would rather pay the extra and fly with Air Canada - better service, food, free drink, leg room, video choice and screen, quieter plane - the list goes on and on.

But then when the family comes too it's humble pie and crappyaffair here i come