Airline ticket question...

[ksumom]

How close to the cruise did you or are you going to purchase your airfare? Southwest is the only Nonstop flight from here to Orlando so I'd love to fly nonstop. But they haven't opened up the September 16-24 dates yet. Just wondering if I'm doing the right thing by waiting for them to open up. My sister & mom in Ohio already purchased their airfare so I feel like I'm cutting it close...
Is my time running out??


THANKS!!

 

[cujobugs]

I am also flying out of KC and waiting for the Southwest flights to open. We are also going in Sept. In my opinion, you aren't cutting it too close. It is worth the time and wait just to get a non-stop flight. They are the only airline out of KC that flies non-stop. If their flights haven't opened, it means no one else can book them either. Just keep checking their website. There should be plenty of availability if no one else can book them either.

 

[ljql_5969]

I am booking our own flights separate from our cruise and not through our TA and she said that flight usually come out about 6 - 8 months ahead of time. So I will be looking at travel sights around that time. We would have liked to grabbed a low airfare from Southwest but the latest flight out of Louisville to Orlando on a Friday is typically 12:10 p.m. according to their website and we need to leave late afternoon after work.

I wish we could leave earlier!

 

[burma]

I have asked southwest in the past when fares become available I am flying in Feb 06 and would like to jump on an early fare release but I have no idea when they release their dates

anyone know?

 

[ksumom]

When in Sept are you flying out of KC?

 

[cujobugs]

Sept. 23rd. Looks like you will already be on your cruise.

 

[ksumom]

I realized that after I posted! Where are you staying at that Friday? We're staying at the Holiday Inn Select at the airport the Friday we're flying in. Goodluck with trying for Southwest!! Got it on priceline for $55. I downloaded a program called DING from Southwest that alerts me of fare sales. I hope they open up soon!! I'm a rather impatient person!

We're coming from Manhattan, KS to fly out. Where are you coming from?

Have fun on your cruise!

 

[tbck1993]

hold off and wait. tma airlines (which flies out of our Rkfd/Chgo area) just posted September flights this week. yours shouldn't be too far behind.

 

[Jeanne B]

We fly Southwest to Orlando every year and from my experience they always push their schedule out around the 14th or 15th of the month. They seem to extend their schedule every 2 to 3 months and they never have more than 5 or 6 months open at a time but if I recall they extended the schedule in both February and March this year so maybe you'll see the schedule extended into October in the next few days. We're going in late October and I don't expect to be able to book any sooner than mid-May. I really like the non-stop service and you can get some great rates when they have their sales so I definitely think it's worth the wait.

 

[ksumom]

I did hear from my TA that Southwest generally releases dates on a Thursday... so maybe tomorrow is my lucky day!!!

 

[ericamanda01]

We got such a great deal with Alaska Airlines that we bought our tickets on Aug. 25 for our Sept 13th honeymoon. If you still have two weeks prior to your flight you can find some great fares. Out ended up being $415 total for 2 round trip tickets from Seattle to Orlando.

 

[miller2470]

we are leaving May 14th for our May 15th cruise on the Wonder...I booked in March and got a great deal of $39.00 each...we are all flying nonstop from Norfolk, Va to Orlando roundtrip for $381.60. I did check Southwest back in February but we would have paid double if not more. They are alway posting spring special. They might have some fall getaways as well. I wouldn't feel bad about not booking yet. Who knows you might really get a great deal

 

[4formickey]

On the transportation threads, we have talked a lot about airfare and rates take a look over there. For my nov. trip ,I have already booked the airfare. We are paying $760 for 4 on AA going from chicgo to mco, The flights right now are posting for over $1,255. One reason to book early.

 

[vossjemi]

I am in Springfield, Mo and need flights for my cruise/wdw trip 9/17-9/24....could fly out of sgf, but its over $275pp, and we have 6 people, so am currently waiting for SW to open up. It is the same distance either to STL, MCI, or TUL for us, so am willing to do any of the 3 airports if we get a good price. TMA has opened up air out of STL-Midway for sept at $79pp, but we'd have to go a day early and come home a day early, but will keep that in mind as a back up.

As far as when SW will open up, here is a link on FlyerTalk Forum.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417357
Read FAQ answer #19. It says that fares have typically opened up 131 days prior to the end of the schedule. Counting back 131 days from sept 12, I come up with May 5, which is a Thursday. No guarantees, but will be checking every tues/thurs (probably every day actually) until it opens up.

 

[cujobugs]

KSU Mom- We are just outside of K.C. in Spring Hill. It is close to the suburb of Olathe. We are staying at Ron Jon's resort the night before. It is expensive but we will enjoy it. I have also downloaded "Ding" and love it. Good luck on finding flights. I've been checking and when they first come out the rates aren't great. But if you hang on, the "ding" rates will come out and you will get a great deal. Good luck. I feel your pain.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Hey, fellow Kansans!
We have always had good luck booking on Southwest for trips to Florida. Just be patient and keep checking the rates. We stayed at the Holiday Inn select in March before and after our cruise. It is nice--about 5 minutes from MCO. Shuttles run on the half hour. There is a perkins and TGIF nearby--just across the street and a restaurant in the hotel as well. They have an outdoor pool and tennis courts. We used our entertainment card and got a great rate, too.