Anyone know Southeast Airlines?or vs. Continental

mobrien207

Earning My Ears
Joined
May 2, 2001
Messages
27
We decided last night to put together a trip to FL during the last two weeks of August. We can fly r/t on Continental from Newark for $211.

Then I learned of Southeast Air, a public charter airlines. They are beginning to fly from Allentown PA to Sanford FL on Aug. 9. They only have one non-stop each day, but it's only $133 r/t.

They told me there is no difference between a public charter airline and a commercial airline, but I wonder. If you have any information about public charters or Southeast, I'd be interested in your experience.

I have to ticket with Continental tonight. I had a bear of a time trying to get 4 tickets at an affordable rate and I don't want to lose them if Southeast isn't a good shot.

TIA,
mob
 
There's a big difference.

With a charter, the other carriers won't accept the ticket if there's a strike, a missed connection, a flight cancellation, you name it. With CO, all of the major carriers will allow you to be reticketed onto them.

With their one non-stop per day, what happens if it's cancelled? My bet is "sorry, you're on your own, we'll rebook you onto tomorrows flight. Maybe. If it's not full. And if it gets here. Put you up? No, we do'nt do that."

Additionally, Sanford Airport is a bit of a poke from WDW, and isn't serviced by a lot of the shuttles and car services.

Spend the extra cash and fly CO.

Anne
 
Thanks for the info. We're not concerned with proxmity to WDW as we'll be based in Daytona, which is actually closer to Sanford than to Orlando. The airfare to Daytona is higher and only once a day also.

The "cancellation" problem is one I hadn't thought of and one we need to consider....quickly. Thanks again,
mob
 
Ducklite thanks for the info. DW and I booked on southeast two weeks ago. I was told the following:

1. Sanford is only 1/2 to 45 min from WDW?
2. In the event of cancel of flight they would get us on another flight no problem along with vouchers.


Have you heard different?

Thanks

Scott, Peg and Tyler
 

I spoke with Souteast last night and they faxed me their agreement which you must sign. They will fax it to you if you ask for it and it explains their obligations...which are not the same as commercial air. Depending on where you are flying from/to is may be easy to reschedule you onto another flight.

Sanford is north of Orlando, near Lake Mary. It would be about 35 minutes or so from WDW depending on Rt. 4 traffic. It's a small airport so I understand its easier to negotiate than Orlando Intl.

I also spoke with AAA in PA (services Allentown which is where I'm flying from) and although they can't book with Southeast for their clients, they said I should have no concerns about traveling with them. They book charters all the time and their clients do fine.

So...I think we're going to do it.

mob
 
Originally posted by SAKPEG99OKW
Ducklite thanks for the info. DW and I booked on southeast two weeks ago. I was told the following:

1. Sanford is only 1/2 to 45 min from WDW?
2. In the event of cancel of flight they would get us on another flight no problem along with vouchers.


Have you heard different?

Thanks

Scott, Peg and Tyler

Considering that the Sanford Airport is about 45 miles from WDW, there's no way it's only 30-45 minutes. If you happen to arrive and be driving during rush hour, it could take a couple of hours, as you'll have to go down I-4, through Orlando, which is one of the most congested stretches of road in the area. So they've definitley mislead you on that point.

As far as rebooking you on a major carrier, most major carriers will not accept "vouchers" from charter companies or even many small regional carriers.

I would get it in writing. And BTW--what is Southest's web address?

Anne
 
I've been driving from Daytona to WDW since 1972 and it takes about 1 hour and 10-20 minutes on average to get to Disney (depending on which WDW exit) which is south of Orlando city limits. Sanford is about 1/2 way between the two, so use your judgment on how long it will take. Certainly, traffic plays a major role in getting anywhere in the Orlando area when you have to use route 4. It's taken me 45 minutes to get from WDW to I-drive. It pays to know some back roads and you might want to buy a good map to check that out. Also plan to travel at non-peak times if you can.

mob
 
I believe you can take 417 from Sanford to the Osceola Pkwy and then right into WDW. It's pretty much a straight shot and I am pretty sure it takes less than an hour.

With that said, please understand that public air charters and air carriers operate under different certificates with the FAA and are not held to the same rules and regulations. If the CO flight is not out of your price range, I think I would stick to that. You have more rights in case something should go wrong.
 
Try www.travelocity.com
I just looked up some fares for Newark to MCO, and it came out to be $194 (including most taxes) on continental (lower on other airlines). I don't know your times, but every day in August seems to have seats available.

Check into it.
~Tina
 












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