Air Tran in December Out of Moline for $84

[Madi100]

I know that a month or so ago there was a group of people watching Air Tran. Just wanted to post that I got airfare for $84 both ways for November 28 to December 5. We love flying early, and we will be in Orlando at 10:30 a.m. Our flight our doesn't leave until 5. I couldn't be happier with our tickets unless they were one way

 

[Jimdamedic]

That price is still $100 per person more than flying out of Midway on Southwest. I have 8 people. I'll drive an extra 2.5 hours to save $800. Plus non-stop flights, plus more flight times. Just my opinion.

 

[Madi100]

That price is still $100 per person more than flying out of Midway on Southwest. I have 8 people. I'll drive an extra 2.5 hours to save $800. Plus non-stop flights, plus more flight times. Just my opinion.

You are right. I probably could have saved more by doing that, but I LOVED the thought of not driving more than 35 miles on the way home. It will be great.

ETA: I checked Southwest, and the rate for me was $79 when I wanted to fly. For $5 I'll pay to fly out of Moline.

 

[Scotch]

Madi100, Thank you for the heads up! We drive an hour to MLI from eastern IA just because of the availability of the nonstop flight (because we're flying with a toddler -- the less time in airports and planes the better). I've been checking the outbound 12/10 date for us regularly during the past months, and the nonstop MLI-MCO remained $124, so I figured I'd have to wait for fall before a sale occurs for that date. Because of your post I went and checked and the nonstop flight is now $84 as well! So I'm going to book it asap. Now if only Southwest would come to CID or MLI.

 

[CTillberg]

We just booked our (and the family we are travelling with) flights to and from Moline for $84, also, for early December - I am so happy! I don't think you can get any better than that out of Moline, and the way gas prices are going, I would be supprised if we will see fares like that for much longer. I would much rather pay a bit more to fly directly from Moline than driving to and parking at Midway. I think Air Tran is competing with the recently announced $84 flights Delta was touting. I didn't have much luck finding a good and $84 flight on Delta, so I am so happy we found something workable for us with AirTran.
Now I am just crossing my fingers that they don't change our flight schedule and we will get to use our upgrade credits.
And for anyone interested, another otion for cheap airfare from our area is from Peoria on TransMeridian - except they fly into Sandford airport in Orland instead of MCO.
Cathy

 

[chamonix]

I don't live in the Quad Cities anymore, but often arrange flights for family and friends to join us on vacations. (we also visit the area frequently)

Flying direct to anywhere out of the Moline airport is awesome! It's a wonderful, small airport--no long lines or waits, close easy parking, etc. Now I live where I have to drive two hours to ST Louis every time I fly, and I hate it. We would fly more often if we had an airport nearby. (we do, but it's one of those tiny ones that only flies to St Louis a couple times a day)

Does anyone know if there are any nonstops to MCO from MLI besides the Saturday flight? It's nice to arrange for grandma and grandpa to meet us at WDW for a couple days, but they don't care to stay the whole week. I thought there was a nonstop on Wednesday too, but it seems it's seasonal....? Does anyone know?

 

[Scotch]

Does anyone know if there are any nonstops to MCO from MLI besides the Saturday flight? It's nice to arrange for grandma and grandpa to meet us at WDW for a couple days, but they don't care to stay the whole week. I thought there was a nonstop on Wednesday too, but it seems it's seasonal....? Does anyone know?

AirTran now flies nonstop MLI to/from MCO on Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The arrival/departure flight times for Mon/Wed/Fri are the same; the Sat. ones differ by a bit -- earlier flight out of MLI and later departures out of MCO than the Mon/Wed/Fri flights. This is not seasonal; this "regular" schedule was introduced last year. So I plan our WDW trips around this schedule!

 

[chamonix]

Wow, the nonstop flights must fill up quickly, lol. I searched for seats/flights for two different dates in Sept, two different dates in Oct, and one in Nov and NEVER had a nonstop flight show. I finally was able to make one show for a Monday and a Friday in December!

Guess I need to really plan ahead! (which is so unlike me, LOL)

 

[Scotch]

That is unusal. I've booked with a couple of months several times this year and no problems. Though this summer AirTran ran several promotions for fall travel, so those nonstop flights probably got snatched because of the great prices.

 

[chamonix]

Hmm. I still can't get it to work for all days. According to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, in August, for example, only lists two days: Monday and Saturday. Wonder if there are more flights in winter? Guess I need to keep looking!

 

[Madi100]

We just booked our (and the family we are travelling with) flights to and from Moline for $84, also, for early December - I am so happy! I don't think you can get any better than that out of Moline, and the way gas prices are going, I would be supprised if we will see fares like that for much longer. I would much rather pay a bit more to fly directly from Moline than driving to and parking at Midway. I think Air Tran is competing with the recently announced $84 flights Delta was touting. I didn't have much luck finding a good and $84 flight on Delta, so I am so happy we found something workable for us with AirTran.
Now I am just crossing my fingers that they don't change our flight schedule and we will get to use our upgrade credits.
And for anyone interested, another otion for cheap airfare from our area is from Peoria on TransMeridian - except they fly into Sandford airport in Orland instead of MCO.
Cathy

A bit off topic, but still regarding vacation, do you happen to know if the Holiday Inn in Moline (the Holidome) is a decent hotel? We are wanting to find a park and fly hotel, since we are flying out at 5:30 in the morning. I didn't care for the non-stop times

 

[CTillberg]

AirTran now flies nonstop MLI to/from MCO on Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The arrival/departure flight times for Mon/Wed/Fri are the same; the Sat. ones differ by a bit -- earlier flight out of MLI and later departures out of MCO than the Mon/Wed/Fri flights. This is not seasonal; this "regular" schedule was introduced last year. So I plan our WDW trips around this schedule!

That's what I thought, too, but when trying to book for Mon. or Friday in October, I couldn't find anything, so I emailed AirTran. They have discontinued those direct flights. You can usually still find a direct flight on Saturday, and other days are now a hit or miss.

Also, keep checking their site. I have also found that when I looked one day, some flights were there, the next day they were gone, so I was dissapointed that they must have filled up, but then looking at those same dates again a couple days later, the flights were back. Their online reservation system still seems a bit buggy since they tried to start up that new site. Calling dosen't seem to help, either. The telephone help has no clue (or access) about what is going on at the website. Emailing will probably help the most with your questions.

As for the question about the Holiday Inn - my husband and I stayed there on our honeymoon (almost 10 yrs. ago now) and it was fine, we stayed on a second floor room that was supposed to have a pool view, although that was a stretch. I think the first floor poolside rooms can be a bit worn since local people looking for a night away and wedding reception guests use (and abuse) them every weekend. We took the shuttle to the airport for our early morning flight. A friend of ours picked up our car and brought it home for us that day, I don't know the Holiday Inn's policy on keeping your car in their lot if you are gone a week. I wish the Moline Airport would reduce or get rid of their ridiculously high parking fees. We always ask friends to drop us off and pick us up, but we live right here in Moline.

Hope I have helped answer some questions, or keep them coming!

Cathy

 

[Scotch]

Oh, darn! Thanks for the heads up. I had no idea AirTran discontinued some of those weekday nonstop flights! I must admit having been on three of those in May, I wondered how long they could keep flying the routes when the plane was never full (or even 2/3s full). Sorry for spreading any misinformation. You'd think they'd post an announcement or something, particularly at the Quad Cities airport site since that was where I first learned of all the nonstop flights. Bummer.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

As a lifelong Quad Citian, most locals don't care much for the Moline Holiday Inn. It's pretty dirty, besides extremely outdated and worn.

There is a popular Country Inn & Suites near the airport and also a decent Fairfield Inn.

Hope this helps.

 

[Madi100]

As a lifelong Quad Citian, most locals don't care much for the Moline Holiday Inn. It's pretty dirty, besides extremely outdated and worn.

There is a popular Country Inn & Suites near the airport and also a decent Fairfield Inn.

Hope this helps.

Well, we want to stay somewhere that offers park and fly. We also thought we'd try to find one with a pool, so we can enjoy that a bit the day before. The Holiday Inn Express doesn't have a pool. I will check the others out to see if they offer park and fly. Thanks for the info. When you say dirty, do you mean the rooms are dirty, like you wouldn't want to sleep there makes you feel gross dirty, or just run down?

 

[dvc_john]

I can't remember the exact dates, but I remember reading that AirTran was cutting back MLI-MCO non-stop service to Saturdays only for the slow fall season, and then resuming 4 times a week again later. Obviously, September is back to Saturday only, and December is back to 4 times a week. Not sure about October or November.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

The public areas weren't as bad as the rooms. (At least the last time I was there.) Although, because it's a holidome from the late 70's? or early 80's? it looks quite outdated. Just thought you'd want to know?

The last time I stayed was 2001 in a pool suite for a party. It was dirty and old. The people who rented the room were uncomfortable staying the night and offered it to any guests who might want it--free of charge. No takers! Maybe you can call and see if they've updated the rooms since then? I wouldn't be surprised. It needed it.

I think the Country Inn & Suites and the Fairfield Inn probably have indoor pools. Maybe even park & fly?