air fares for Feb 2010

[MAGGIED]

I am looking to fly out of Rochester or Syracuse NY in February... just started looking at the prices are NUTS... almost $500 on Airtran... and over $700 on Jet blue..... whats up with this... looks like we might have to drive... has anyone had experience with flights this time of year and when...or if... the prices are going to come down... we are looking Feb 13-20..... thanks for your advice

 

[habg1]

Hey! Welcome to my world as well!

We got tickets on JetBlue from Rochester to MCO for Christmas. 856.00 for 4 of us.

Want to go back in Feb. But the prices scare me. Even the first day they were available they were crazy high. Don't even ask me about Syracuse; we're closer to Syr than Roc. Syracuse fares just make me faint.

We drove this past feb. Not terrible, but bad enough. We drove straight through.

It cost us about $400 in gas one way from Upstate NY.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Keep in mind that the time frame you want to fly in Feb has 3 events that drive up that cost of flights and hotels.

Presidents Day weekend
Daytona 500 race.
Winter Break for the school kids in the northeast-kids are off school for a week so you will see and larger than normal amt of kids at Disney.

That is why they will run higher than normal.

 

[JennSaint]

I am looking to fly out of Rochester or Syracuse NY in February... just started looking at the prices are NUTS... almost $500 on Airtran... and over $700 on Jet blue..... whats up with this... looks like we might have to drive... has anyone had experience with flights this time of year and when...or if... the prices are going to come down... we are looking Feb 13-20..... thanks for your advice

We go every year during that time frame and almost always book our flights as soon as they are released. Most of the Northeast schools are on vacation that week. Flights are always expensive. Best advice I can give is be flexible on your dates. If you have children think about taking them out of school for a day or two. Flying a few days before President's weekend can usually save you money. Also if you can fly out of any other airports check them too.
Good luck!

 

[jgraney106]

I feel your pain. I don't think in general , that upstate New York gets alot of the really super airfare rates that others across the country seem to find.

 

[kksmom92]

I've been finding the same thing (but out of Michigan) and am making our plans on driving this year.

 

[5boyz]

What are the prices like Feb 6/7-13th? Thx

 

[JennSaint]

What are the prices like Feb 6/7-13th? Thx

www.kayak.com is a good airfare search engine. You can't book your flights with them but they will direct you to the airline. I use it all the time since you can flex your days and airports etc.

 

[uva185]

I am looking to fly out of Rochester or Syracuse NY in February... just started looking at the prices are NUTS... almost $500 on Airtran... and over $700 on Jet blue..... whats up with this... looks like we might have to drive... has anyone had experience with flights this time of year and when...or if... the prices are going to come down... we are looking Feb 13-20..... thanks for your advice

Are your dates flexible +/- 1 day?

ROC-MCO 2/13 - 2/19:$336
ROC-MCO 2/14 - 2/19: $340
ROC-MCO 2/13 - 2/21: $380

SYR-MCO 2/13 - 2/19: $250
SYR-MCO 2/14 - 2/19: $250
SYR-MCO 2/13 - 2/21: $233
SYR-MCO 2/14 - 2/21: $233

 

[HeatherC]

Another February flyer here. What I have found the last several years is that the flights start out high...particularly JetBlue....which I think is very expensive for a "low cost" carrier.

Then when Southwest opens up, Airtran and JetBlue have in the past lowered their fares for a short period of time. And I mean a short period...maybe just a couple hours. But every year I have been able to get nonstop flights from either Boston, Providence, Hartford or White Plains for under $200 RT for Presidents Week vacation.

Keep checking all the time and if you can fly out of other airports, you may still be able to snag a decent rate.

Good luck! The airfare hunt really does get to be tedious.

By the way...I think SW is releasing Feb fares on Sept. 1 so that would be a good week to really keep an eye on the fares.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I feel your pain. I don't think in general , that upstate New York gets alot of the really super airfare rates that others across the country seem to find.

I have seen lots of SWA Ding fares in the past out of BUF for very reasonable prices; less than $100 each way.
Of course peak times are always higher.

 

[5boyz]

www.kayak.com is a good airfare search engine. You can't book your flights with them but they will direct you to the airline. I use it all the time since you can flex your days and airports etc.

Thank you!!!!! I looked at it and have requested email updates.

 

[MAGGIED]

I have signed up for the email alerts... we can't leave earlier than the 13th because Friday the 12th is his last varisty basketball game.... (we are guessing he will make the team again this year as he was the starting point guard last year).... but we can leave Sunday or Monday even.... I will look again.... I didn't see any of those $250 flight out of Syracuse... I would have jumped on those.... I will search again...

 

[MAGGIED]

Are your dates flexible +/- 1 day?

ROC-MCO 2/13 - 2/19:$336
ROC-MCO 2/14 - 2/19: $340
ROC-MCO 2/13 - 2/21: $380

SYR-MCO 2/13 - 2/19: $250
SYR-MCO 2/14 - 2/19: $250
SYR-MCO 2/13 - 2/21: $233
SYR-MCO 2/14 - 2/21: $233

Where did you find there fares.... I am not having any luck.... some of the websites advertise them (like expedia) but then when you click to book them they have changed the price... to like 650....yikes!!!!!!!

 

[JennSaint]

Maggie I did a search on Kayak.com and Continental has flights leaving on Monday February 15 returning Tuesday February 23 for $250.00. These flights have a short layover. If you wanted to return on Monday February 22 the flights jump to $280.

 

[MAGGIED]

I saw these also... I think I will talk to the husband today and see if he wants to move our dates a little....

 

[debster812]

Ah yes, the Great President's Day Week Air Fare Watch of 2010.

This is the one and only time of year that I will book as early as I possibly can, once I see a fare I can live with. We go to Ft Myers every February vacation (President's Week for us here in MA).

We are bugging out of town 2 days early and flying out on the 10th. DS will be in 7th grade, and will miss 2 days of school. We'll be flying home on Thursday the 18th. I got us non-stop flights on Delta for those dates for $230 each, and there are 3 of us flying.

Now, I fully realize that Delta may change our flight times, change us from a non stop to a flight with a stop, or try to consolidate us with the Northwest schedule. We will be fine with any of these, as we will be able to change our airport of arrival to Orlando, Tampa, or Ft Lauderdale, and rent a car and drive to the Ft Myers area. We have this flexibility because we're not locked into hotel reservations.

Good Luck to everyone flying President's Week.

 

[MAGGIED]

I have only traveled to WDW a couple of times during this time period.... and with almost 30 trips under my belt you would think I would know to expect crazythings like this... but I am always amazed at how the jack up the air fares right around vacation time... they know they have got us.... I wish we had a little bit more flexibility in leaving early... that would be my choice... I don't mind him missing a day or two of school as he is a great student... but I know HE will not want to miss the last basketball game of the season.... and (selfish part here) I really wanted to be there for Valentines Day as it is our 24th Anniversary and I wanted to try and get the chefs table for DH and I.... ...okay done being spoiled....

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Bump

 

[jimmiej]

I'm having the same issues with our March trip. I know, it's spring break. But, I paid $199/pp last summer. It's over $400 for March! Yikes!!! We may be driving.