Airlines from Michigan to Orlando

[ladyelle]

Which airline do you use to travel from Michigan (Flint or DTW) to Orlando?

I want to make sure I am not missing any airlines so I can compare. I have been looking at Spirit and Delta and prefer a direct flight if possible.

Thanks

 

[Sandi]

My guess is that you really want a non-stop flight, not merely direct. (Direct flights can have a stop along the way.)

For that, you're best bet is to fly out of Detroit Metro on either of Delta or Spirit. Personally, I hate Spirit.

Southwest also flies out of DTW, but they haven't done non-stop flights between the two airports in a few years. There are a number of one-stop flights where there can be a plane change.

Airtran flies out of both DTW and Flint. There used to be non-stop flights, but those are no more, too (I'm pretty sure).

Finally, if you'd consider flying out of Lansing, SunCountry has a VERY LIMITED schedule of non-stop flights between Lansing and MCO. The schedule is too limited to me and I would not be willing to chance their not having an issue where it could be a day or more before a flight can get you where you want to be.

United and US Air also fly out of DTW and LAN. American is another airline that serves DTW, but with their pilot issues right now, I think booking with them would be foolish.

Try doing searches on Orbits, Expedia, Kayak and the like, in addition to Southwest, so you can do some comparisons. When you find a fare I like, I go directly to the airline to book. That way, if you need to make a change or something, you don't have to deal with the third party.

 

[ladyelle]

Thank you very much for the information... exactly what I was looking for as I haven't flown in years... I am leaning towards Delta but will be sure to check out the other options as well.

 

[maxiesmom]

Air Tran usually has good rates out of Flint. Before Air Tran came to Grand Rapids we made the drive to Flint a few times, the rates were so much better than what we could get out of GRR.

 

[Gorechick]

We flew Delta out of GRR in August. Our tix were about $260 each round trip.

 

[bianca]

Always Spirit from DTW ...... Non-stop and have never had a problem.

 

[nifferearly]

Airtran has non-stop flights during the winter out of both DTW and FNT. We fly Airtran often and love them!

I will not fly Spirit anymore. Too many delays, dirty planes, and their seats are smaller than other airlines (if that's possible). If you are considering Spirit, keep in mind that they charge a fee for carryons, so you need to factor additional cost into the price of the ticket.

 

[wld]

We fly several times a year on delta but wow are the prices high right now! A friend flew spirit recently and said the seats were so small front to back that she had to stand up to swallow!

 

[APB513]

We fly several times a year on delta but wow are the prices high right now! A friend flew spirit recently and said the seats were so small front to back that she had to stand up to swallow!

I agree. We used to be able to fly RT from DTW to MCO for around $150/pp. Now its $250 and up for RT

A few years ago I got some great Dings from Southwest and flew $49 each way. But they have discontinued their non stop DTW to MCO flights and even with 2 free bags their flights still cost more than Delta. I miss Southwest

 

[dakotix]

I agree. We used to be able to fly RT from DTW to MCO for around $150/pp. Now its $250 and up for RT

A few years ago I got some great Dings from Southwest and flew $49 each way. But they have discontinued their non stop DTW to MCO flights and even with 2 free bags their flights still cost more than Delta. I miss Southwest

Yea flights are pretty expensive from Hartford too. I expect to pay 625 for two RT tix in January... theres no way I'm buying anything but direct flights or I'll run the risk of the two of us getting stranded

 

[Brian Noble]

We used to be able to

Over the past few years we've seen significant consolidation, reduction of flight schedules, and increasing demand. The economic environment for flying is just different now; it makes little sense to try to compare fares this year to fares you could get a few years ago---and from my very anecdotal perspective, it is getting worse in terms of fares, not better.

In a way, that was inevitable. The airlines were all losing money---even Southwest had some down quarters in there as their hedging program lost steam. That could not have lasted forever.

From DTW specifically, unless you are going during snowbird season, there are really only two carriers to choose from for non-stop flights: Spirit (low-frills, less expensive, but truly a cattle car experience) or Delta. AirTran has winter non-stops, but as the acquisition by SW closes, that may or may not continue. AirTran *used* to run non-stops year round, but no longer does....and SW used to as well.

And, for what it's worth, Delta is really capitalizing on its dominant position for DTW fares specifically. My west coast flights for business travel are all north of $700 these days, even purchased well in advance, connecting or direct. I can sometimes find an odd routing that shaves that down, but...