Advice on Air Travel with Preschoolers

[spacemtn1971]

The case is this:

My wife and I and twin daughters (3yrs old) are traveling to WDW in September from the 5-12th.

We have been lucky to get a nonstop flight in 2002 and 2003 our of CVG for less than $150.

Each of those years I bought the tix by May 1st.

Now Delta is threatening bankruptcy and gas is $2.00/gallon and I am wondering if I will see a fare less than the $300 it is now.

But...

USair is offering a fare of $108 from CVG to CLT and then on to MCO. (Of course they may go bankrupt as well!)

If it was just wife and I it would be great. But I am not so sure about the kids. They were good but an extra hour on a plane (propjob at that!) may be too much.

I know we could go to another airport but I want to stay with CVG for convenience. It is worth some of a premium.

What are your thoughts you parents? Four tickets is a big chunk of cash.

What would you do? How have you managed? Anybody gotten a better deal for fall 2004 out of CVG on Delta?

Thanks,

JWB

 

[Chicago526]

I'm not a parent, but as a travel agent I do know a bit about airlines, so maybe I can answer some of your questions.

Bankruptcy for an airline does not mean nessesarily that they will cease operation. United Airlines has ben in bankruptcy for almost 2 years now and is still flying. American flirted with it and did not, USAirways did and came out, but now with SW starting service to PHL, they're nervous again.

What this means is, that if you find a good fare on Delta or USAirways, if you buy it, you should be okay, even if they file for bankruptcy. Of the two, I'd be more nervous of USAirways than Delta, as USAirways has been in bankruptcy just recently. Delta is the 3rd largest U.S. carrier, and isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

By the way, I just checked and Delta has round-trip fares from CVG to MCO for $213.20 per person for the dates you listed on the non-stops flights.

Also, check with your credit card company, they might protect you incase the airline does go belly up.

Good luck!

 

[AMaloy314]

I always like to have a lay over, especially if the flight is over 1&1/2 hrs. We let the kids (now 2, 4, 9 & 11) run...and I do mean run around the empty gates. We let the older girls play their CDs at a moderate level and dance around. Even if it is only for 15 minutes, it gives them all a chance to burn off some energy. I'd rather they did it there than drive me and the other passengers crazy on the plane.

Depending on how long your lay over is, it could be a good chance to get something to eat to take on the next flight. That keeps them occupied for awhile on the airplane.

I always found it harder to keep them being good while they were cooped up, but maybe that's just my kids.

I will add that you shouldn't expect them to sit quietly with you while you wait for the flight attendents to call for boarding though. That is a bit too much to ask.

 

[spacemtn1971]