April vacation airfare

[PrincesCJM]

I am looking to fly to wdw next April - during school vacation week (4/15 to 4/23) - from PWM. Traditionally, airline prices are higher during vacation weeks. PWM is a smaller airport but does have many of the major airlines. Currently, I'm debating whether to wait until Jetblue or Airtran release flights (and hope for a reasonable price) or if I book with Delta/United/USAir/Continential now. The lowest price I have seen is around $340 plus tax/other charges and later luggage fees. My question is though, how often does Jetblue and Airtran release flights? Currently Airtran is booking through end of February and I believe Jetblue is booking through early January. I'd love input from other Mainers out there.

Note: I would consider flying out of PWM or MHT and would consider flying into MCO or Tampa

Thanks!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Two years ago, I got very lucky and found really great fares with Delta for vacation week...about $200 pp r/t from Boston. For next year, I've already booked with Direct Air out of Worcester....got a 50% off deal, so it cost $650 for three of us to fly to Sanford the Thursday before vacation week, returning that Sunday at the end of vacation.
I haven't seen anything close to that with the other airlines.

 

[PrincesCJM]

bumping - hoping for thoughts from others

 

[tinka-belle]

Easter is 4/24 next year, so I expect the school vacation air prices to be high as well as WDW pricing since it will still be peak season.

We've been spoiled on WDW pricing when our vacation weeks (MA and ME have the same week, as do a few others) are not near Easter, even though the flights for the April vacation have been very high the past few years. If you can find a fare you can live with on Southwest or Jet Blue they will always issue a credit (you have to be proactive and call for it) if the fare goes down. Jet Blue does fly from PWM, and Southwest from MHT.

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

Two years ago, I got very lucky and found really great fares with Delta for vacation week...about $200 pp r/t from Boston. For next year, I've already booked with Direct Air out of Worcester....got a 50% off deal, so it cost $650 for three of us to fly to Sanford the Thursday before vacation week, returning that Sunday at the end of vacation.
I haven't seen anything close to that with the other airlines.

Same here for April Vacation weeks.
April '09 on Delta from Boston to MCO for $200 per person.
April '10 on Delta from Boston to Tampa for $239 per person.
April '11 on Direct Air out of Worchester to Sanford, 4/16/11 to 4/23/11, we booked our tickets during the Friends and Family deal back in April for $149 per person.
Those are all round-trip non-stop flights.
The point we're trying to make is to keep checking Kayak, Orbiz, Expedia or other airline websites at least once a day until something you're o.k. with pops up.
Good Luck All,
Joe

 

[PrincesCJM]

I've never heard of Direct Air so I'd love more information on them

 

[goofy4tink]

Same here for April Vacation weeks.
April '09 on Delta from Boston to MCO for $200 per person.
April '10 on Delta from Boston to Tampa for $239 per person.
April '11 on Direct Air out of Worchester to Sanford, 4/16/11 to 4/23/11, we booked our tickets during the Friends and Family deal back in April for $149 per person.
Those are all round-trip non-stop flights.
The point we're trying to make is to keep checking Kayak, Orbiz, Expedia or other airline websites at least once a day until something you're o.k. with pops up.
Good Luck All,
Joe

We fly out on the 14th, returning on the 24th.....cruising from 4/17-21, with some time at US/IoA before the cruise and then at WDW afterwards. I think there will be a ton of us from Mass down there.

I've never heard of Direct Air so I'd love more information on them

This is a very small airline...I don't think they fly out of anyplace close to Maine. They fly out of Worcester Mass, but that may be the only NE place.

 

[Brian Noble]

Be a little careful comparing prior years' April fares, and using that as an expectation. One: airfares are up all over in 2010 vs. 2009. Two: Easter floats, and airfares can jump significantly if Easter floats "onto" your week. However, as more and more schools go to fixed weeks from floating weeks, Easter will have less and less of an impact.

 

[pumba]

my brother is also looking at flights out of Portland for February vacation week and the prices are UP.....
When do Jet Blue and AIr Tran come out with their prices???

 

[jakenjess]

We went from PWM for April vacation 2009, and we saved a significant amount by going down on Monday and coming back the following Wednesday. The kids missed three days of school, but the difference in airfare was worth it. We went JetBlue and booked as soon as fares were released, and I never saw the fares go down after. Easter did not coincide with April vacation that year, so that may make a difference for you next year. Now that DS is starting high school, we won't be doing that anymore so we'll be struggling with the vacation airfares also! Good luck!

 

[PrincesCJM]

We went from PWM for April vacation 2009, and we saved a significant amount by going down on Monday and coming back the following Wednesday. The kids missed three days of school, but the difference in airfare was worth it. We went JetBlue and booked as soon as fares were released, and I never saw the fares go down after. Easter did not coincide with April vacation that year, so that may make a difference for you next year. Now that DS is starting high school, we won't be doing that anymore so we'll be struggling with the vacation airfares also! Good luck!

I work as a high school teacher and can't really take three days off so that wouldn't work for me. I am planning to use one personal day for this vacation - I will have to pay for my sub though (around $70). I have found some decent prices out of Boston - though I'd have to travel to Boston, or flying into Tampa - a little more then I would like though.

I'm leaning towards waiting for JetBlue, Airtran or even Southwest (out of MHT) to release flights.

 

[momtwoboys]

Would you consider Bradley (hartford)??? We are flying April vacation too, and I just checked prices...Leaving on Thursday April 14th, and returning Thursday April 21 its $1,142.96 for 4 people. Friday to Friday its $1,354.00 for 4 people. Not bad for nonstop direct flights into MCO for a school vacation!!!!!

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

Would you consider Bradley (hartford)??? We are flying April vacation too, and I just checked prices...Leaving on Thursday April 14th, and returning Thursday April 21 its $1,142.96 for 4 people. Friday to Friday its $1,354.00 for 4 people. Not bad for nonstop direct flights into MCO for a school vacation!!!!!

We always consider driving if the airfares are too high and the flight times are way off schedule.
If I had to consider that flight time and that price plus a rental car, plus airport parking, plus luggage, plus something else...we'd be driving for $400 round trip.
Good luck all,
Joe

 

[PrincesCJM]

Thanks everyone! I actually bought airfare this morning. I had decided that I was going to wait for Airtran and Jetblue to release their flights but I started searching flights leaving Wednesday night. Both Delta and United had flights that would work for DH and I for $280 per person, taxes and fees included! We couldn't turn that down. I'll have to take two personal days, which I think I was going to have to take anyways. I will still be able to work Wednesday then basically head directly to the airport. I'm extremely excited now!! Hotel is booked, airfare is booked and car rental booked. Too bad I still have 10.5 months to go.

 

[jakenjess]

Congratulations! That's a good price for vacation week!