Airfare info from Chicago wanted

[Simba's Mom]

What are some typical good fares for flying from Chicago to Orlando, and what airlines? DH wants to surprise his Mom with a trip to WDW. She'd be flying out of Chicago. Southwest isn't an option, because she won't use Midway airport. Any ideas?

 

[dudspizza]

Good luck, ATA, Airtran, and SW all fly from Midway......

Use travelocity to get a feel for the prices and then book at the individual airline's website to save the booked fee....

Best of luck.

Duds

 

[crzykid]

Since midway is not an option try spirit air. No frills airline with really good prices especially if you buy when they have there syber fares. We got tickets to orlando for 59 each way. Good luck. American and United were double what we found.

 

[GlennandAnn]

I have used ATA and Southwest MANY times. IMHO a price of $175 is realistic.

Glenn

 

[Dan Murphy]

Oftentimes United and American, the two big ones at O'Hare, have fares in the 175 range. I did get one for about 125 a couple years back. Natalie just flew from there a few weeks ago on Ted, United's lower cost line, for 185.

 

[Laurabearz]

200 and under is a good deal.

 

[Trekker]

Anyone remember the good old days $99 - $125 RT was always around - have not seen that in years - anything under $200.00 seems good now-a-days!

 

[inkkognito]

What a shame that she won't use Midway!
But United and American will sometimes match Southwest and ATA. Now that ATA is staying, we've been seeing roundtrips around $115. Orbitz is a great resource for comparison.
Barb

 

[jl3614]

I agree with the other posters - anything under $200 RT is now considered a good rate. Try booking the trip Tuesday - Tuesday if that is an option, you will generally find the lowest prices and best availability on Tuesday.

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

I just check spirit airlines. I put in my dates just for a test. The dates i entered were may 22-29. Early departure time 7:30 am into orlando about 11:00 am. And for the departure flight 6:30pm and return into chicago I think it was about 8:30pm. The total cost per ticket was 138 plus tax. with taxes it was 156 and some change. This out of chicago but not midway. I think they would be an airline worth considering. You can upgrade your flights at the airport very inexspensively. I would go to their website and check it out. www.spiritairlines.com I am also checking on another airline for you but I will post when I am sure it would be worth your consideration.

Kimberly

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

I checked out this airline for you independence air it is not at midway either. The price I checked for my dates are a little high but you never know when the prices will go down. www.independenceair.com

Kimberly

 

[GRAYWIFE]

Spirit is the best airline for the price that we have flown out of Chicago to Orlando. We do not care for Midway airport either.

We have 3 seats reserved in Feb 2005 for under $500 including all fees and taxes. We have been pretty happy with their service and everyone we have told about this airline have had great experences as well. We take the 7:30am flight and we are at the MK by 1pm (Chicago time). We love that flight. There are usually two options for the return. A 10:50ish flight and a 6:00ish flight. We usually take the later flight but have selected the earlier flight this time because DD6 needs to get back to school the next day and needs to get to bed!!!

Just a tip...I have noticed that the Weds flights have been the cheapest by a few $.

Good Luck!!!

 

[Chicago526]

$200 to $225 is average, with anything under $200 being a good deal. I always fly UA/Ted out of O'Hare myself. I'd rather pay slightly more and get my miles and assigned seat that fly SW. Plus O'Hare is closer to my house anyway. I also avoid Spirit and AirTran, not because they aren't good airlines, but because if there IS a problem, othe airlines won't take their tickets. That means if Spirit cancels due to mechanical problems, they can't put you on another airline (come to think of it, SW is like that too). With the majors, they all have agreements on eachother and you've got more options if your flight is canceled for non-weather reasons.

 

[DemoBri1]

Oftentimes United and American, the two big ones at O'Hare, have fares in the 175 range. I did get one for about 125 a couple years back. Natalie just flew from there a few weeks ago on Ted, United's lower cost line, for 185.

Wow!! If you can get that out of United or American grab it!! Especially if you're dead set against flying out of Midway.

Spirit or US Air is probably your best bet for an inexpensive fare out of O'Hare. Unfortunately for you...all of the other good fares reside down south at Midway.

Check out http://www.sidestep.com. It's a pretty good site that goes through just about every airline and gives you round-trip fare info. It list stuff both out of Midway and O'Hare.

If you're far enough north, you might also consider flying out of Milwaukee.

Just doing a quick check of sidestep...ATA heads the list with round-trip starting at $154, followed closely by Us Air at $158. United is actually at $181, which is really good. These fare prices were for the period of 1/13/05-1/21/05.

Brian

 

[DemoBri1]

That means if Spirit cancels due to mechanical problems, they can't put you on another airline (come to think of it, SW is like that too). With the majors, they all have agreements on eachother and you've got more options if your flight is canceled for non-weather reasons.

Actually this will be changing slightly for SW now as they are now entering a code-sharing agreement with ATA as part of their settlement to buy out 6 of ATA's gates at Midway.

I'm actually an ATA person myself. The last three times we've gone to WDW we've flown ATA out of Midway.

Brian

 

[dudspizza]

Another thougth would be to try TransMeridian Airlines at www.iflytma.com

They fly out of Rockford which is just NW of Chicago. Parking is free and it is a smaller airport.

TMA is a charter type airline, so they are much smaller than the big carriers, but I have heard good things about them.

I personally fly Sun Country out of MSP, and they are a very small airline and have been great!

Duds