Confused about Song

[athenna]

I am thinking way too far ahead here, but since I just got back last night, I can't shake that WDW feeling and am looking ahead to future trips.
If Song will no longer ''exist'' in May, what happens then?
I like to get my tickets far ahead cause I can usually get a good deal that way. Song has $79 each way from BOS-MCO in October, but how can you book them if they won't be around? I probably won't purchase tickets until Jet Blue releases their, but I'm interested in finding out what happens next w/Song.
TIA

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If Song will no longer ''exist'' in May, what happens then?

Song is Delta. If you buy a ticket from Song, you're buying a ticket from Delta. Yes, Delta is going to redeploy the Song aircraft and eliminate the Song brand — but you'll still have a valid ticket on Delta.

The Song routes are popular leisure routes. Before there was Song, most of these routes were operated as Delta flights. When Song disappears as a brand, most of them should again be Delta flights.

When you book far in advance on any legacy airline, it's likely that your flight times and flight numbers will change. It's also common that your aircraft and seat assignments will change. And there's always a possibility that the airline will drop a route entirely, or replace a nonstop with a connection. Usually, the airlines will try very hard to take good care of you if this happens.

Keep in mind the Delta is operating under Chapter 11 protection. That doesn't mean the airline will fold. In fact, it means that the airline is in a position to get out of bad leases and other disadvantageous contracts, and to seek new financing, while protected from current creditors. I don't expect Delta to fold, and I'm not worried about the Delta tickets that I bought for 2006.

 

[athenna]

Song is Delta. If you buy a ticket from Song, you're buying a ticket from Delta. Yes, Delta is going to redeploy the Song aircraft and eliminate the Song brand — but you'll still have a valid ticket on Delta.

The Song routes are popular leisure routes. Before there was Song, most of these routes were operated as Delta flights. When Song disappears as a brand, most of them should again be Delta flights.

When you book far in advance on any legacy airline, it's likely that your flight times and flight numbers will change. It's also common that your aircraft and seat assignments will change. And there's always a possibility that the airline will drop a route entirely, or replace a nonstop with a connection. Usually, the airlines will try very hard to take good care of you if this happens.

Keep in mind the Delta is operating under Chapter 11 protection. That doesn't mean the airline will fold. In fact, it means that the airline is in a position to get out of bad leases and other disadvantageous contracts, and to seek new financing, while protected from current creditors. I don't expect Delta to fold, and I'm not worried about the Delta tickets that I bought for 2006.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, makes sense now. I think I'll still wait to see what Jet Blue will have. Now that I go 2-3 times a year, I don't like to spend a lot to fly if I don't have to.

 

[bicker]

Just a clarification: Here on the East Coast, most of the flights which are now Song flights were previously Delta Express flights, I believe. Airline brands come-and-go, it seems, yet the red ink keeps flowing.

 

[athenna]

Just a clarification: Here on the East Coast, most of the flights which are now Song flights were previously Delta Express flights, I believe. Airline brands come-and-go, it seems, yet the red ink keeps flowing.

Luckily, I have plenty of time to decide, I just know $79 each way is as good as it gets, but was afraid to book. Hopefully, if Jetblue is too much $$, then the Song $79 will still be available.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just a clarification: Here on the East Coast, most of the flights which are now Song flights were previously Delta Express flights, I believe. Airline brands come-and-go, it seems, yet the red ink keeps flowing.

That is correct. The Delta Express Area was redecorated as Song at MCO. And the routes that Delta Express flew from there were essentially teh same with Song.

Song aircraft will be retrofitted with a first class section once again.

I have no idea why Delta keeps dealing with other carriers---Comair (and another one I forget) comes to mind. It isn't like I can go to a comair website and book comair. Or maybe I can. But I have always booked it as Delta.

Not sure why major airlines come up with this pseudo-airlines. To the customer--it is all the same. KWIM?

ETA: There is a comair website--but it has a big delta logo on it and "Delta Connection" and to make reservations it goes straight to Delta. Ummm...helloooo---why are we creating a website for a pseudo airline when you deal with the regular airline for the booking?????

 

[bicker]

I have no idea why Delta keeps dealing with other carriers---Comair (and another one I forget) comes to mind.

Well, at least with Comair, it started as a completely separate airline, not owned by Delta.

Not sure why major airlines come up with this pseudo-airlines.

Often, these separate operations are means by which airlines can apply different work standards with regard to its union workers. Comair, for example, wouldn't be affected by a Delta pilots strike. By the same token, Comair pilots already get paid lots less than Delta's piolots.

 

[athenna]

This is torture. I feel like the $79 each way is taunting me
I made my ressies today for a stay in October, so I have tons of time, but I want that $79

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm facing the same situation. I'm going back to WDW in Oct and usually book my flights as early as I can in order to get some good fares. Song is showing me those $59-79 rates for my dates, but after flying JetBlue on Monday I'm thinking about flying with them again. I've about had it with all the minute changes Delta makes, with me having to check weekly to see what those changes are. But, when can I expect JetBlue to open up their flights for Oct? What is the traditional timing for them?

 

[Aisling]

I am thinking way too far ahead here, but since I just got back last night, I can't shake that WDW feeling and am looking ahead to future trips.

My kinda girl! That's what I do or else I'd go crazy!

I'd buy the Song tickets for the great price and not look back. Then you can spend your time planning all the details of your future trip!
Good luck with your decision!

 

[disneytraveler]

Oh i hope my ticket for september 2006 that i purchased does not change.
So far the Song and Delta websites still have it as confirmed with no changes. I will have to wait and see then.

 

[bicker]

It would probably be best to plan on those flights changing. Delta will typically make four schedule changes between now and then, but in the next few months will be making more radical changes, and perhaps even more changes, than in past years, due to their efforts to return to solvency.

 

[disneytraveler]

Oh gosh its a pretty good timeout to at 8am arriving at mco at 11:15 am . Heres hoping the changes wont be to bad. I did check other airlines but delta/song had a good price with no connections compared to American and
others.

 

[athenna]

Oh gosh its a pretty good timeout to at 8am arriving at mco at 11:15 am . Heres hoping the changes wont be to bad. I did check other airlines but delta/song had a good price with no connections compared to American and
others.

That's exactly why I am in such a quandry. I am so tempted to get the Song tickets, perfect times, direct flights, and the price can't be beat. But I'm so worried it will drastically change. I just get impatient waiting for Jet Ble to release theirs. I wish they released theirs far in advance like the rest of them do.

 

[disneytraveler]

I wonder if i should cancel and book on some other carrier. Aa has a very early sept 2006 flight with a connection in miami but still gets into mco at
good time. Would have to get up real early as it is a 6am departure . Last
year i had a delta flight like that.

 

[bicker]

I just get impatient waiting for Jet Ble to release theirs. I wish they released theirs far in advance like the rest of them do.

Then they'd have schedule changes, just like the rest of them do.

I wonder if i should cancel and book on some other carrier.

Any other carrier that would allow you to book now would also subject you to changes, though perhaps not as many as Delta, do to their financial situation, and of course, Delta's the most likely of the major airlines to cease operations, at this point. (Of course, that could change. When we bought our Delta tickets, it seemed far more likely that United and US Airways would go under and Delta would therefore thrive.)