Airline Prices for Feb-Mar 2011 Flights

[Julylady]

We are planning a cruise for Feb 27 - Mar 6, 2011. We need to fly from Grand Rapids, MI to Orlando. Prices for next spring on full service airlines are $400 to $900.

The two budget airline lines in this market are less expensive, but I am concerned about the fact that they have no partnerships with other airlines.
Flying out of Michigan in February often means snow and delays. I like the idea that if one airline cancels their flight, they will switch me to a flight on another airline. (This just happened to me last winter.)

I have looked into flying out of Detroit, but it doesn't save much $$ and I don't want to chance the 3 hour drive to Detroit in February. My dates do not coincide with spring break for either K-12 schools or colleges in my area.

In the past we have always been able to book February flights for around $275 or less. Can I count on the fact that the full service airlines will drop their prices if I keep waiting? Or, am I going to be forced to pay the high prices if I want to fly them?

Any insight or advice is much appreciated!

Donna

 

[Brian Noble]

Donna, we're flying out of DTW in February/March. Prices there are also higher than usual. AirTran came out recently and is a little lower, but not by enough to get me to book. I'm going to wait until Southwest releases, and then re-evaluate.

I generally don't consider Allegiant an option.

I do expect to pay a little more than "normal" this year. My buy-it-now price for direct flights at good times is somewhere around $300 or $325 right now, subject to change.

 

[webworm]

We are planning a cruise for Feb 27 - Mar 6, 2011. We need to fly from Grand Rapids, MI to Orlando. Prices for next spring on full service airlines are $400 to $900.

The two budget airline lines in this market are less expensive, but I am concerned about the fact that they have no partnerships with other airlines.
Flying out of Michigan in February often means snow and delays. I like the idea that if one airline cancels their flight, they will switch me to a flight on another airline. (This just happened to me last winter.)

I have looked into flying out of Detroit, but it doesn't save much $$ and I don't want to chance the 3 hour drive to Detroit in February. My dates do not coincide with spring break for either K-12 schools or colleges in my area.

In the past we have always been able to book February flights for around $275 or less. Can I count on the fact that the full service airlines will drop their prices if I keep waiting? Or, am I going to be forced to pay the high prices if I want to fly them?

Any insight or advice is much appreciated!

Donna

AirTran looks pretty decent in terms of prices. Fly down the day before on Feb 26th with a nonstop and either fly back on March 6th or 7th depending what time the cruise gets back into port. Total is $239.40. Delta also has a nonstop flight on Feb 26th for $139.00 + tax = $149.70. You could just book a one way down with Delta and return in March with AirTran for $109.00 + tax = $119.70. Total return would be $269.40

flight details
Departing: Saturday, February 26, 2011 Earn 1 A+ credit $109.00 - Coach
Grand Rapids, MI (GRR) to Orlando, FL (MCO) Flight 1292
12:50 PM 3:30 PM

Returning: Sunday, March 06, 2011 Earn 1 A+ credit $109.00 - Coach
Orlando, FL (MCO) to Grand Rapids, MI (GRR) Flight 1293
2:25 PM 5:15 PM

Total $239.40.

Delta

Grand Rapids, MI (GRR) to Orlando, FL (MCO) on Sat, 26 Feb 2011
8:30am
GRR 11:15am
MCO Nonstop 2 hr 45 min Delta 5877

Price per passenger: $139.00 (USD)
Taxes/Fees: $10.70 (USD)
Subtotal per Passenger: $149.70 (USD)
Total for all passengers (1): $149.70