air costs & choice Mi-Orl in feb

[rifgirlsmom]

I dont know if I'm over thinking this or worring too soon. We (family of 4) arent big flyers. I've been watching the flights from our area for awhile now & they are just going up. So I'm thinking now is the time to act. My choices are down to 2 flights both out of flint---both on the friday before our cruise. One arrives in orl @ 11:35pm but cost 300 less than the flight earlier in the day. The other flight arrives by 11am. Both depart @ 1130am on the day we retrn into port. I'm just not sure the extra 300 plus costs assocated with adl day in florida, can be justified. I just worry about snow ect. Yes I'm a worrier. Any suggestions, comments, advice would be welcome. Thanks

 

[Kimmielee]

Each have almost an identical itinerary that I'm watching... Out late afternoon on Friday, back late afternoon 8 days later. Those flights are $254 per person, round trip!

 

[TiggerKing]

If you aren't flying until February, don't stress out over the pricing now. Airlines aren't necessarily like cruise lines with the early booking discounts. Personally, I would not look at airfare until at least December. If the web site you are using allows you to see seating before purchasing, look at the plane and see how many seats are still open. If there are a lot, they airline will start discounting them in the next couple of months to fill them up. If seating is tight, you may not see any additional discounts.

But, with the condition of the airline industry right now, I would expect discounts. Also, you might see a change once the election is over in November (this could have an impact on future oil prices and other economic factors which the airlines look at).

Hope this helps.

 

[4formickey]

We are also looking for flights for the wonder cruise on feb13,2004. Relax the price will go down. Don't panic!!!!!

 

[castawayfan]

It depends on when you are going in February. If you are going over Presidents week/weekend, its going to cost more to fly down from Michigan. We are looking going out of Flint right now at about $274 on Northwest. Because of our unpredictable weather in February, we are going to pay a bit more for the Northwest flight because its direct. The flights out of Flint do fill up fast. Even though we are in Lansing, we fly out of Flint all the time because of the good prices - better than flying out of Detroit. I don't think the prices are going to come down any for February - NWA sale prices right now are through Feb 16 so if they are going to come down it will be in the next few weeks.

 

[antmaril]

We are flying out of Detroit on February 12th for the Disney Wonder cruise on February 13, 2005. I decided not to wait and am paying approximately $300 per person. I booked a one-way on SWA for the outbound (because I had a $400 credit on SWA) and a one way on Spirit Airlines for the return (which is a non-stop). My plan is to watch the Southwest fares and if the price goes down, I will use the credit for future travel.

As you know, traveling to Florida from Michigan in February can be costly.

Good luck!

 

[marie2004]

I would wait, until at least Dec. We fly out of Detroit, either the night before or the early one in the morning. I paid $133 rt for our flight with NWA, direct, Oct 29th. I have gone in Feb, around the pres day, it is more money, so be flexable. Good luck and watch the fares this winter, there will be specials!

 

[chesirekate]

marie2004, we also got $133 rt out of Detroit on NW, for December. The lowest prices were $123 but all were connecting, with the direct flights only $10 more so we went for one of those. Well worth it when you have a toddler. I've never flown out of Flint, but have flown out of Lansing. I tend to find the lowest prices going out of Detroit though, so we usually end up down there. But, I'm not surprised the cost is more in February for flights going south, I know I want to get as far away as possible from MI when Feb rolls around...

 

[travelbug]

Just a few days ago, I booked FNT to MCO on ATA for Feb. 11-20 at $218 each. I'd been dogging the travel websites for months looking for decent airfare at halfway decent times, and rates have been terrible. So I snapped up the $218, which was way lower than anything I'd seen. There is a one-hour layover each way, but the flight times are ideal.

As antmaril said, flying from MI to FL in Feb. is pricey. Can't be compared with rates to be found in the fall. But there are deals to be found, and I definitely wouldn't panic and give up yet. Check as often as you can, and be ready to jump on a great fare. As you know they can disappear within hours. Our same itinerary went up by $48 per ticket by the morning after I booked.

My next challenge - decent airfare for Easter week.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

 

[chicknoodle99]

I also suggest to wait a bit--if you are comfortable--we flew from Flint to MCO this month and was able to get 136.00 RT and that is nonstop. I watched the fares and it was originally 249 and then went to 189 and then down to 136...so maybe give it a little more time. I think that anything around 200 is good out of Flint and as posted before, the flights do fill up fast so watch them close. The nonstop flight out of Flint leaves around 8am and gets to MCO around 11am. We prefer the nonstop flights from Flint as we dont have to mess with the hassle of Detroit and would pay a little extra for that convienence.

I also recommend that you leave the day before your cruise JUST in case something crazy happens to your flight. Dont wait until the Saturday of your cruise departure..give yourself the extra day just in case of problems with the airlines or weather!

Good luck to you and enjoy your cruise!!