PM Southeast Flights out of Allentown

[MulanMom]

Has anyone done the ABE-Sanford flight that leaves at 6PM? Just wondering if there were any issues with rental cars. Also, having flown SE before, they usually get in earlier than estimated. Have you had that experience with this flight as well?

As a side note, it's kind of a bummer that they've changed their flight times. It used to be great....we arrived at Sanford in early morning and had a whole day. On the return trip, the flight didn't leave until the evening, so we had almost another full day before departing. I was very surprised that the only flights scheduled to Sanford on a Friday and Saturday were at 6PM!

TIA!

[Figmentslf]

Two years ago we used the late afternoon flight (I believe it left around 2 or 3) and it was late in leaving and of course arrival was then delayed. I believe we got in to Sanford around 8:00 and the car rental agencies were all closed. We called the 800 number (I can't remember who we were using -sorry) and got absolutely no help from them. We were trying to figure out what to do when we saw a light go on in the rental building across the road from the terminal and my husband walked over to see who was there. A manager had come in to do paperwork and he took the initiative to get us a car - but otherwise we would have been left with a taxi to Orlando as our only option. They may have changed this now that there is a scheduled flight arriving that late, but I'd definitely ask about it. Have a great trip!

[Pollyann]

We are flying out of Avoca on Vacation Express. The flight times are similar to the ones you liked out of ABE. (Flight departs AVP at 6:45 am arrives SFB at 9:15am. Flight departs SFB at 7:45pm arrives AVP at 10:15pm)

[dansyr]

Mulanmom,
Have you looked into leaving from Philly? The flight prices have come down quite a bit recently and the have a large variety of times??

[MulanMom]

dansyr...We've already got the tix for SE. In the future, I'll be watching the Philly fares again.:( I got spoiled not having to drive to Philly and deal with commercial airlines constantly changing flight times and fares. Oh well!

Pollyann...I wonder if Vacation Express is the same business but under a different name. It seems as SE has expanded into other areas, our flight times have gotten worse. It'll be interesting to see what occurs with Vacation Express in a year or two if it is successful at WB/Avoca. I don't even want to think what time I'd have to get up to drive up to WB to get that morning flight!!!:earseek:

Figmentslf...thanks for letting me know your story. I know the rental counters at Sanford used to close early (at 5) unless special flights were coming in. I was surprised that a few weren't closing until 8:30 the night we arrive. It's disturbing that, in your situation, they knew a late flight was coming in, but the rental desks weren't manned. Sounds like I better have a back up plan just in case.

Thanks to all for your responses!:wave2:

[Zoo Keeper]

What would the cost be for a Taxi from Sanford?
The towncar rates are just about doubled so I can't imagine what a taxi would be.

[hentob]

Is there a website?

Do you have to purchase a package to fly on Vacation Express?

Hentob

[msr709]

Hentob, I just got a "package" which consist of just the flights from Vacation Express (they consider everything a "package"), they do have packages that include hotel and car rentals but you can buy just the flights. I just booked for a group of 11 (all family) and got $169.81 pp (taxes and fees incl.) leaving at 8:00am and return flight at 7:45 in and out of Sanford and was told that we will have seat assignments. We booked through their Group Department and are able to pay for it in 3 installments (which works out even better). My biggest trouble with the other airlines were the schedules, we all wanted to arrive early and leave later, and it was hard to get 11 people to be seated close together. This was the only airline that offered exactly what we wanted (seat assignments and schedules) and the airport is only 45 minutes from home. Their website is www.vacationexpress.com. Good luck!

[Pete W.]

We were booked on the 6:00 p.m. flight out of Allentown on thursday, June 17th but we just got a call yesterday that the flight had been changed to 10:25 a.m. We opted instead for an 8:00 a.m. flight on friday 6/18.

The flights out of Sanford have changed as well, so I would recheck your dates to see if the schedule has changed.

[countdownqueen]

Pete...Our family will be on that same flight 8:00 June 18 out of Allentown!! Small world....:wave:

[Pete W.]

Small world indeed!

The 8:00 a.m. is actually less stressful because I was also worried about getting a rental car on 6/17 when we weren't scheduled to arrive at Sanford until 8:30 p.m. and Dollar closes their desk at 8:45 (though they CLAIM they will stick around if they know a customer is arriving).

So now we'll get a car around 11:00 a.m. and drive to Port Canaveral (we're taking the Disney Wonder 6/20 - 6/24). Then we're spending 6/24 - 6/28 at the Doubletree, followed by one night at the Holiday-Inn near the Sanford airport so we can depart wednesday, 6/30 at 6:45 a.m. We'll drop our rental off the day before then take a taxi to the airport the morning of the 30th.

Whew! A complicated itinerary but hopefully everything will go smoothly.

[MulanMom]

Thanks for the heads up, Pete W. Just checked the website and their flight schedules. Looks like they now added an 8am flight for Fridays and Saturdays in June. From what I can tell, March's still looks the same. Wish they would change! Seems silly that during typical spring break, the only flight available on Friday and Saturday is at 6PM!!!!

Oh well, I'm going to someplace warm soon, so I'm happy!!!:Pinkbounc