Airfare from Boston or Providence to Orlando

[jle323]

Usually DH is the one who deals with airfare, but Disney is my thing so I offered to look for tickets. I'm just curious as to what a good deal would be; I've been watching Jetblue and Southwest, but I'm not sure what I should be looking for. We have 2 little kids so we're looking for nonstop. Thanks!

 

[JennSaint]

I would say if you are looking at going in September around $220 per person is probably what you can expect to pay. If you can use Bradley as an option I often find cheaper flights out of there.
www.kayak.com is a good airfare search engine.

 

[jacdolfin]

You might also want to try www.airfarewatchdog.com They usually have good deals sent straight to your email. If you could get 4 roundtrip airfares for around $900-$100 thats a good deal for now. Also sign up for JetBlues email list u can get discounts and offeres. Best of luck

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

I travel this route SEVERAL times a year!!! What dates are you traveling? Normally I would hold out for a fare that is under $100 each way - totally doable with either Jet Blue Bos-Orlando or SW Prov-Orlando. Southwest does offer flights now from Boston but do NOT have non-stop flights. Airtran is another possibility, sometimes they will offer some LOW fares BUT only offer 1 or 2 non stops a day, AND they charge for bags & Seat selection! I am on all of the email lists for the previous airlines but have found sometimes just checking daily ( or many times daily ) can find you a better fare. Example just today I checked for my dates in late August and found flights cheaper than the special emailed to me yesterday. If it is a possibility ( although not as convenient) , also check out flights into Tampa. I literally just booked non-stops from Prov to Tampa for $89 which is $70 per person cheaper than Olando. Of course with Tampa you do not have perks such as Magical Express, but it is only an hour drive away and MAY be worth it ( especially if you combine a stop at Busch Gardens).


Keep in mind, with crazy fluctuating fuel costs, its harder to predict what price airfare costs will become the new "norm" or "bargain".

Depending on your travel dates - I'd say $119-$139 to be a good deal, and $109 or less to be a GREAT deal!


I've ben lucky to have not paid more than $120 each way max in the past several years - I usually pay approx $89 before taxes & fees. Again I'm not sure what to expect this year.

SW fares can change several times a day, but they do allow you to change your fare if prices drop and use the credit for a year from purchase on another flight.


Let me know your dates and I'd be glad to keep an eye out if I see anything pop up.


Good Luck!!!

 

[jle323]

We'll be heading down there on 10/8 and returning 10/15. I'm really not interested in getting a credit. I doubt we'll be flying again within a year. If for some reason we should, it won't be with the kids and DH has frequent flier miles that we use. Unfortunately, they're with United, which doesn't fly to Orlando. I would be really upset if I bought tickets and then they came down. Only we wouldn't be able to use our credit. That's why I'm a little stressed about these tickets. I don't want to rush and buy the first decent tickets I see, but I don't want to wait too long so that prices end up going up.

We're traveling with a 2 and 5 year old, which is the only reason I'm interested in nonstop. I've found a few flights that weren't too expensive, but they're for later in the day. That would just be a bad time for my kids to fly. I would consider flying into Tampa if it weren't for the kids. We're also not renting a car.

Thank you all for the tips! I'll keep looking.

 

[Big Willie]

Might be a stretch for you but don't forget Manchester. We have gotten fares of $68 (O/W) lately. As 4eva stated if its around $100 each way GRAB IT!

 

[goofy4tink]

We'll be heading down there on 10/8 and returning 10/15. I'm really not interested in getting a credit. I doubt we'll be flying again within a year. If for some reason we should, it won't be with the kids and DH has frequent flier miles that we use. Unfortunately, they're with United, which doesn't fly to Orlando. I would be really upset if I bought tickets and then they came down. Only we wouldn't be able to use our credit. That's why I'm a little stressed about these tickets. I don't want to rush and buy the first decent tickets I see, but I don't want to wait too long so that prices end up going up.

We're traveling with a 2 and 5 year old, which is the only reason I'm interested in nonstop. I've found a few flights that weren't too expensive, but they're for later in the day. That would just be a bad time for my kids to fly. I would consider flying into Tampa if it weren't for the kids. We're also not renting a car.

Thank you all for the tips! I'll keep looking.

Don't even think about flight prices coming down then. Many people give that way too much thought. Figure a price you can live with. I don't like to fly from Mass to Fl for more than $250 pp, r/t..direct. I fly JB out of Boston and SW out of Providence.

My issue with the whole 'getting a credit' thing is that the airlines don't expect us to pay more if the fares go up, so why are we getting our knickers in a twist if our fares go down and we can't get a credit (or don't want to since we won't use 'em)? I sometimes wish the airlines would just post fares and be done with it...at least we would know what we are dealing with.

So...when should you book? Well, my flights for Oct have been booked for awhile now. And I just booked my early Dec flights yesterday. Book when you see fares that are going to work for you and then forget about it.

 

[jle323]

I would be happy with $250 r/t pp. Right now I'm seeing $250 one way.

 

[pooch]

is a non-stop for $200 or less pp r/t. I fly exclusively out of Bradley because its a 10 min ride to the airport and I have the choice of SW, Delta and, now, JetBlue. So far I have not found under $110 (with taxes & fees) each way. Haven't booked yet for a trip late Aug. but I'm somewhat "adventurous" with waiting. I know one year this will bite me in the @#$#! but not yet!!

Oh, and I prefer early morning departures and late evening returns and have had good luck with this too. Currently looking at a 7am departure on SWA and a 6PM return on Delta.

 

[emmabelle]

Saturday flights are more expensive too. If you could fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday, your chances would be better to get a lower flight.

I usually fly SW out of MHT or PVD, even though we're are like 25 minutes from Logan. Jetblue is usually more expensive, I wish I could fly them more often.

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

It could be tough to find a great airfare with the dates you are working with, especially the 8th - only because of Columbus Day weekend. I know a lot of us New Englanders try to squeeze in a few WDW days around the kids getting a couple of extra days off from school.

The return may not be so bad. If you are unable to find fabulous deals at either airport - if costs are very similar - you may want to lean toward Boston. You could always purchase one ways on two different airlines, and piece together the best deal/schedule possible. Boston has the most airline options for this.

Manchester can also be a GREAT idea. Often their prices are VERY close to Providence's, but occassionally, as the previous poster mentioned, have lower fares. I come from the Cape and Manchester is a bit of a haul, but I did try it once and found it to be a fabulous airport. I really liked it, however depending on the time of day crossing thru Boston it can be a nerve wracking drive ( Im ALWAYS late!! ).


As the Moderator mentioned - find a price point that you a VERY happy with ,and if you see a fare that is in the price point - BOOK IT ! It is VERY frustrating to see a fare may have dropped after you have committed , but IF you were able to find something that you were happy with originally, then dont dwell on it. More than likely whatever fare you find will eventually skyrocket and you can feel satisfied you locked in at a good deal!


I do feel that $250 each way - is WAY too much...and I THINK you will be able to improve on that fare.


I'll keep my eyes open!!

Good Luck!!

 

[jle323]

Thank you all! We live in the Worcester area, so all of the airports are about an hour from us (except for Manchester - but if it was a big enough difference, I would have no problem heading there). My plan is once I buy tickets, I'm not going to look at any more airfare. Then I won't be upset if prices drop!

I wish we weren't going Columbus Day w/e. Unfortunately, my mom works at a school so she has that week off. Of course, my parents are driving down so increased airfare tickets won't affect them!

 

[5forDis]

If you are are Worcester, I'd consider flying out of Hartford. You'll probably find a better deal and depending on traffic, the drive to Hartford will be no worse than Boston. I think you'll have more direct flights to choose from...consider it. See if the $ you save is worth the drive. I have 3 little ones that are now older than yours, but when they were small, we sometimes liked the stop. We usually fly from Manchester to Orlando. You can use United miles to Orlando, though it won't be direct. They are partnered with USAirways, so between the 2 airlines, they can get you into Orlando.

Good luck!
I am looking for flights for the end of Sept (2011) and the end of April (2012). We'll fly out of Boston, Manchester, Hartford, Providence...not too picky if the price is right

If anyone sees a great deal from New England to Florida, please PM me. Also, does anyone know when JetBlue will start booking the end of April 2012?