Do airlines release additional flights?

[KristenFNJ]

True confession here, we flew from NJ to WDW in 2013, but before that we were driving down-hadn't flown since 2005. Booking flights in 2013 was a breeze-found exactly what we wanted around 3-4 months out, for a great price.

Now that I'm looking to book for this November, not only are the fares outrageous (more than double), but I feel like the flight times are sort of absurd! (very early or very late) I have been looking at fares for this trip for months, I've seen one or two flights added at better times, but they're SO expensive, and I'd still be settling for poor times (including cancelling an ADR-the horror!!! ).

I know the prices are only going to get worse, but if I'm already going to pay through the nose, I'd rather get flight times that work for us. So, I'm asking the people who travel to WDW more than anyone else on earth ...

-Does anyone happen to be familiar with the airlines' process for adding flights? (be it the industry in general, or a particular airline-we stick with United or JetBlue, fwiw)
-Is it reasonable to expect that they would add more flights as time marches on, is there a general cap-it-off (like they don't add flights less than 2 weeks/2 months etc. before any given date)?
-WWYD? Would you pull the trigger ASAP and settle for altering your itinerary, or would you hold off a little longer?

Thanks so much in advance for listening to my gripe and holding my hand!!!

 

[francie57]

At this point I don't think I would hold my breath for added flights. Most airlines have reduced the number of flights they have - thus the increased airfares and less selection. We have flown JetBlue several times and the only thing I have ever found is that they may change the flight time a little but I haven't seen flights added. Same with Delta and Southwest. No experience with United. Are you limited to using Newark are can you try LGA, JFK, White Plains, or even Philly or Hartford. You may make out better there.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Airlines can and do adjust their schedules. However, this usually just involves changes to flight times, equipment, or flight numbers.

If demand is consistently high on a high-yield route, an airline might add a another flight -- such as going from three flights per day to four flights per day on a route with significant demand from business travelers. An airline could even add a new route on a city pair not previously served.

An airline will not add a few flights here and there on random days that happen to be selling well.

The "great prices" of years past coincided with red ink and bankruptcies at many airlines.

There are now fewer carriers and fewer flights. The airlines are thrilled that they can now charge twice as much for tickets on leisure routes.

 

[DebbieB]

If you are looking for school vacation week, they will probably not go down.

 

[CarolMN]

If you are looking for school vacation week, they will probably not go down.

And most likely not if your trip is over Thanksgiving.

You might have better luck by adjusting your departure or return dates if you can. Try using this site's calendar of lowest fares:

ITA Software - Matrix Airfare Search

I saved over $160/person adjusting my return day for our Thanksgiving weekend trip. Good luck!

P.S. You still have to check SWA separately if it serves your airport, but the link checks all other airlines, AFAIK.

 

[KristenFNJ]

Thanks everyone for the information!

We are going Jersey Week (along with the whole rest of my NJ tribe, I guess that's why they call it that LOL), we are traveling down on 11/1, back on 11/8. We don't have flexibility at all with the dates. We already have our timeshare reserved, which we wouldn't be able to change anyway, even if life in general gave us more flexibility.

I have taken a glance at LaGuardia and JFK, but haven't really searched them, nor have I looked at Philly at all. We would prefer to depart for home around 7pm (we have stuff planned on Saturday before we leave), so arriving at 10pm then driving 2 hours home was not my first choice. But you're right, I need to cast a wider net! If we can find a flight that leaves at 5 or 6, and saves us enough $, it might be worth it!

Thanks again!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I would try Spirit out of Atlantic City.
2) Right now, tix are as little as about $150 for 11/1 and 11/8.

NOTE: I am not fond of Spirit, but our friends fly them all the time.
Just remember, ALMOST EVERYTHING is at an extra cost.