Buy now, or wait it out? (kinda long)

[Mickey Fliers]

Okay, transportation gurus, here is a question for you. We (me, DS9, DS7 and DS4) will be flying to Orlando next February from the northeast. We are travelling the week before Pres. Week. The closest airport to us is Portland, Maine, about 30 minutes away. We can also go to Manchester or Boston, both about 2 hours away. Here is the question:

I have been checking air prices and can fly out of Portland for about $320/pp with decent flight times. Downside is that I have to fly on a tiny plane all the way to DC. Not real keen on that .

Now, I can fly out of Boston for about $280/pp. Obviously, the tickets are cheaper, but I would have to travel 4 hours round trip and possibly have to stay the night in Boston before hand.

Or, I can wait out Southwest fares out of Manchester. Still have to drive 2 hours each way, but might get decent rates and possibly non-stop flight. Although, for mid-summer, they are charging $125 each way.

So, what do I do? Buy now flying out of Portland or Boston, or wait and see what fares look like after the summer? I just don't see them going down too much. Or, wait for Southwest to release dates out of Manchester and hope for the best?

All you help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Amie

 

[PlutoPony]

How tiny is the plane and which airline?

 

[minster22]

Mickey Fliers, We live on Cape Cod so although we live not quite as far from Logan as you we do have to drive some distance to either Boston or Providence. Couple of thoughts here....with the children (and even without) I would want nonstop flights. My ideal situation in your shoes would be drive to Boston, stay overnight at either Holiday Inn or Hampton Inn on a park n fly rate (around $200.00).I would wait for JetBlue's rates to be released for my plane tickets (would love having the tv's at each seat for all of us!!). Although Portland has JetBlue to MCO now, these are not non-stop flights and at that time of the year there are too many weather variables.I do not think we will see any really great fares for some time so I would probably buy my tickets as soon as JetBlue releases them...also think it will be a little less flying out of Boston vs Portland.I have never flown Southwest but since you would have to drive to either Manchester or Boston anyways I would go with JetBlue for 2 reasons, assigned seats and tv's.These are my opinions and preferences only....hope it helps....

 

[Mickey Fliers]

When does Jet Blue traditionally release dates? I am looking for Feb. 11-17th. I am not adverse to flying out of Boston, but if the price difference is only $200, it makes more sense to travel out of Portland. I do hate that 2 hour drive home at the end of vacation.

However, I hate to fly and the thought of flying on some tiny plane troubles me. Although, DH is a pilot and he says I am nuts , size of the plane doesn't matter. The flights out of Portland are on United (TED).

Thanks for the advice, keep it coming!!!

 

[minster22]

They have been very slow to release dates this year. Someone posted earlier that during a phone call to JetBlue they said it was due to them adding many new destinations and reworking their schedules.Last year by July 17 they had released all the way into May 2006....who knows what will happen this year!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

JetBlue's website states six months in advance, but as noted they've not been keeping to that timetable recently.

OP, you have another choice if you can be a bit flexible with your dates. Allegiant (www.allegiantair) now flies out of Portsmouth NH non-stop to Sanford FL, four days a week, one flight a day each way - which is where the need for flexibility comes in. As you know, Portsmouth is a good 45 minutes closer to you than Boston AND parking is FREE.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Allegiant isn't the best option for us, basically b/c I am not at all flexible .

Actually, we are staying on our DVC pts and I want to maximize the amount of time I have in WDW. I like having the option of choosing my flight time.

Man, I just realized something. I am very picky . I just want a non-stop flight, on a big jet, with a decent fare out of Portland. Why is that too much to ask? Oh well, back to the drawing board.

 

[c&ldisneylovers]

I am also a Mainer . My Dh and I have traveled out of Boston (usually taking Concord Trailways out of Portland) and Manchester. I like to save money on plane tickets but by the time we pay for a sleep, park and fly package or Concord Trailways bus tickets, don't end up saving much money. I also don't like the idea of having to travel a long distance to/from an airport in bad weather (February is such an iffy month) so we have decided to pay the extra money to fly out of Portland.
Christy

 

[CarolA]

Isn't this President's Day week?? If so, I think you either book now or wait and do the SW deal. Past experience has shown that Presidents Day week books early and prices just rise as you get closer. Lots of folks book at exactly 330 days....

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Actually, we are travelling the week BEFORE Pres. Week. I am expecting heavy travel, but not crazy.

I think I am leaning towards just flying out of Portland. I am not keen on the small jet, but I don't think going into Boston will save me any money after all is said and done.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Waseller77]

I live in Maine as well and I would recommend waiting for Southwest to open their flights for Feb. and flying from Manchester. We went to Disney last fall and the non-stop flight from Manchester was worth it's weight in gold. The drive is a nuisance, but nothing more than that. We actually were travelling with an 11 month old and not having to switch planes and wait in another airport was wonderful. The drive/cost to park in Boston doesn't make it a very economical decision and if it were between Portland and Boston, I would say, go with Portland. But you could save quite a bit of money with Southwest AND have a non-stop flight.

In Feb., non-stop flights can be quite valuable with iffy weather in the northeast. If you connect in DC or Philadelphia, weather could keep you from ultimately getting back to Portland. However, a non-stop flight from Orlando will either have you stuck in Orlando (who could complain?) or driving home from Manchester. The more flights in your itinerary, the higher chance of delays or cancellations.

FWIW, we paid $115/roundtrip ticket last fall. Feb. might not be as cheap, but I can't imagine it being as high as $300/ticket.