Dallas to Orlando- OMG!

[Friendly Frog]

My fears have come true. With the loss of Airtran it looks like American is now the only airline with a non stop flight from Dallas to Orlando. With American in control the fare has gone from the previous 180.00 per person on Airtran to 360.00 on American. DOUBLE!

So my question is, am I missing an airline somehow in my search that has non-stop flights from Dallas to Orlando? How would I find out about special charter flights that might be out there somewhere?

I appreciate any help, driving is not an option for me to this pricing could kill any trips to Disney for a long time.

 

[DebbieB]

My fears have come true. With the loss of Airtran it looks like American is now the only airline with a non stop flight from Dallas to Orlando. With American in control the fare has gone from the previous 180.00 per person on Airtran to 360.00 on American. DOUBLE!

So my question is, am I missing an airline somehow in my search that has non-stop flights from Dallas to Orlando? How would I find out about special charter flights that might be out there somewhere?

I appreciate any help, driving is not an option for me to this pricing could kill any trips to Disney for a long time.

There have been recent posts about Spirit. Be sure to check their fees.

Can you fly Southwest from Love Field? They don't have non-stops but they have one stops with no change of plane.

 

[NotUrsula]

The only other nonstop from DFW is on Spirit, if you trust them.

If you can fly from Love Field, SWA will take you, though the planes stop briefly in Houston (no plane change, you just pick up more passengers).

 

[Friendly Frog]

Thank you for the help. Spirit may be my only hope, even though they have very limited flights. ( lilke only one each day.)

Unfortunately Southwest is almost as expensive even with a stop, as American's direct flight.

I am really going to miss Airtran. I thought their service was better than American and of course their fares were great.

I don't know how a hub as big as Dallas Fort Worth can have such limited carrier service... and we never see the great fares some other areas see.

 

[minniemee]

JetBlue from Austin is pretty reasonable, we paid 220/person. Would u be able to drive there?

 

[BaylorBoyAggieGirl]

Southwest is always our pick out of Midland! I have checked recently and found that is more expensive to fly Dallas to Orlando than from Midland. Who would of thought! I hope you find a cheaper option with time!

 

[DebbieB]

Thank you for the help. Spirit may be my only hope, even though they have very limited flights. ( lilke only one each day.)

Unfortunately Southwest is almost as expensive even with a stop, as American's direct flight.

I am really going to miss Airtran. I thought their service was better than American and of course their fares were great.

I don't know how a hub as big as Dallas Fort Worth can have such limited carrier service... and we never see the great fares some other areas see.

Typically when a large airline has a hub, there isn't alot of other choices. Plus you have high fares due to lack of competition. Business flyers tend to be loyal to the major airline because of elite benefits and international destinations. It used to be that way with USAir here in Pittsburgh. We lost the hub and fares did come down some at first with some new airlines but now there's not too many places you can go non-stop and fares have crept back up. Just as an example, USAirways and Southwest were both flying PIT-PHL. They were both charging around $118 roundtrip. US had more passengers because of business travelers and SW decided to end their flights. As soon as SW dropped the route, fares went sky high on US, over $600!

 

[mcraige]

I feel your pain. The date of our trip, airfare is at ~$450 right now!!!!! Hopefully it will come down a bit between now and then. I'm willing to drive to Austin or Oklahoma City if I can save more than a hotel will cost for the night.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Keep checking every week (preferably on Wednesdays). We were able to get flights on Delta (with one stop) for $216. Not ideal, not as cheap (or direct) like Airtran, but at least the price was reasonable.

 

[aubriee]

The only other nonstop from DFW is on Spirit, if you trust them.

I fly from Dallas to Orlando several times a year to go to WDW. Since Southwest pulled Air Tran out effective Nov 22nd, airfare here has skyrocketed. I used to pay $158.00-$220.00 r/t. I've never paid over $220.00 for DFW-MCO airfare. In the last few months thanks to Air Tran's leaving, it's hovered around $450.00, so more than double what it usually is.

Spirit will start flying nonstop from DFW to MCO and Boston in midMarch 2012. I finally broke down last week and bought airfare through them for both my upcoming May and Sept trips. Even with all their fees, they are significantly cheaper than American, Delta, Continental, and Southwest. Even though I'm flying solo, I joined the Trial $9.00 Club for $19.95. Supposedly you can't use it until after you've booked your first flight, but if you don't pay for luggage fees when you book, you can go back in later and use the $9.00 Club discount for luggage fees on that first trip. I got my May airfare for $143.58 (plus the $19.95 for the 60 day trial $9.00 Club). I still have to go back in and pay the luggage fees, but using the $9.00 Club will be able to get $20.00 off of them. My Sept trip I got for $183.58 and that included the bag fees. American charges $25.00 each way, on top of the $450.00 airfare, so $183.58 for a nonstop on Spirit looks a whole better than the $490.00 I'd pay on American or even the $328.00 that Southwest charges with their free bag policy.

Spirit may not get the greatest reviews, but most of the bad reviews I've read are from people complaining about them charging for carry ons and seat fees. I have no problem carrying just the free personal item on and putting everything else in a checked bag. Other than Southwest, most airlines charge for checked bags and choosing your seat anyway. Even our beloved Air Tran did, so that's not a big deal. As long as you are aware of all the fees prior to booking, Spirit doesn't seem that bad. I'm giving them a chance anyway.

 

[jennb529]

That is exactly why we are driving to Austin from our home near Tyler (2 hours east of Dallas) to fly Southwest. It was a significant enough savings to make it worth driving another couple of hours.

Bonus is I get to visit my favorite aunt for a few hours and hopefully go eat at Salt Lick!

 

[Simba's Mom]

My fears have come true. With the loss of Airtran it looks like American is now the only airline with a non stop flight from Dallas to Orlando. With American in control the fare has gone from the previous 180.00 per person on Airtran to 360.00 on American. DOUBLE!

So my question is, am I missing an airline somehow in my search that has non-stop flights from Dallas to Orlando? How would I find out about special charter flights that might be out there somewhere?

I appreciate any help, driving is not an option for me to this pricing could kill any trips to Disney for a long time.

OMG! That's unbelievable, but then, American has always had the highest fares at the few airports we have to choose from. Too bad you're a pretty long drive from San Antonio-they have Sounthwest non-stops to Orlando for less than that. DS used to live near Dallas and told us that it's only about 3 hours to Houston. If that's correct (well, he was a college kid with a lead foot when he drove!), how's Continental out of Houston? Or Southwest from Houston Hobby?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Keep checking every week (preferably on Wednesdays). We were able to get flights on Delta (with one stop) for $216. Not ideal, not as cheap (or direct) like Airtran, but at least the price was reasonable.

We got Delta for $241 per person, round trip. We have to change planes both going and coming back, but with AA and SW hovering near $500 per person I figured we will change planes and be done with it.

 

[aubriee]

OMG! That's unbelievable, but then, American has always had the highest fares at the few airports we have to choose from. Too bad you're a pretty long drive from San Antonio-they have Sounthwest non-stops to Orlando for less than that. DS used to live near Dallas and told us that it's only about 3 hours to Houston. If that's correct (well, he was a college kid with a lead foot when he drove!), how's Continental out of Houston? Or Southwest from Houston Hobby?

Air Tran used to keep American prices in line, but when Air Tran got pulled out of Dallas Nov 22nd, airfare more than doubled. The same airfare I was paying $158.00 ($220.00 if I didn't catch a sale) is now running $450.00 for my dates. I went the exact same week last year in May and paid $158.00. In Sept I think I paid $198.00. Suddenly as of Nov 23rd, airfare more than doubled.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Yea, I knew this would happen. I am sure American had a party when Air Tran was pulled. I consider American a trend setter for high prices. In this area SW is not normally that much better... still in the end I booked with Southwest for the first time. I am going to get routed around a bit, and my flight will increase an hour, but at least no plane change ( just a stop ) The internet saving price was really good for what is out there...and free luggage.

The price I saved using SW will get me another day at Disney!