Do I book AirTran now at $220 p.p. for Jersey Week?

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Help! Air fares for Jersey week to WDW are nuts. Like $600 per person! I did find $220 on AirTran, but it is out of Philly! (two hours from my home instead of one) and it is one of those "you-don't-a-seat-until-checkin" tickets and I am flying alone with three kids!

Do I buy it or hope SWA or Jet Blue comes out with something better.

BTW, how is AirTran?

 

[CarolA]

I would book now unless you can hold out for SW or JebBlue and then you need to book the DAY they release (and there is no gurantee they will be cheaper your current fare sounds pretty good!)

There are only a few times of the year when I think it really pays to book FAR in advance
1. President's Day Week in the NE
2. Jersey Week in that geographic area
3. Wed and Sunday of Thanksgiving week.

Fares for those days seem to follow a trend and its generally true that they only increase. The exception might be if you were willing to wait until say Tuesday of the week to fly, but if you are looking for the standard fly down Friday/Saturday it's probably going to get higher.

 

[dthogue]

I personally like Airtran - we have flown them from Philly as well as BWI. I like the fact that they have direct flights and their prices are usually better than the other airlines. We have never had a problem with them. My kids like the Satelite radio they have on their planes - they will even give you free headphones to use.

As far as seating goes - why do you need a seat number for your flight? You can check in online 24 hours before your flight and they will have assigned your seats - all together. You will have the option to change them if there are seats available, but I have found that they do a great job assigning seats. Its not a open call like Southwest that you choice your seat when you get on the plane.

All in all, I'd go with Airtran - I just booked our December tickets this morning with them!

Tammy

 

[maher871]

Stay away from the airports if at all possible on the weekends. I just booked 4 nonstop, round trip tickets on Continental for $137 each fees incl. We are flying into Tampa on monday 4/23 at 9:21 am and returning to (EWR) Newark NJ on tuesday 5/1 at 8:53 Pm. Try kayak.com, it does searches of all the travel sites to look for the best airfare. But the important part is that you have to a little flexible with the days and times of your flights to be able to get the best rates.

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Thanks everyone.

Tammy- I was just worried about all of us being together. Thanks for the info on how they do that. I thought it would just be whatever seats were open and my 6 year old would be on the other end of the plane. (Good for me but he is a handful- I would be sorry with whomever he sat with! )

Maher- unfortunately, we must go the weekends. My aunt GAVE us her timeshare and it is a Saturday check in. No choice. But, hey, it's free!

I did book the $220 PHL to MCO.

 

[caseyem67]

We've flown AirTran a few times from Philly to Orlando. We have always had a good experience. We sat together--not even a question, especially with kids I think they would do everything they can to be sure you are together. One thing we love about AirTran is their terminal in Philly has a play area.

What are your travel dates for Jersey week?

 

[don8life]

Airtran is great. i fly them all the time. jersey week prices are only going to go up. I got mine like 6 weeks ago. 138 per person on continental out of newark.
Good Luck.

 

[michboro]

Airtran is great. i fly them all the time. jersey week prices are only going to go up. I got mine like 6 weeks ago. 138 per person on continental out of newark.
Good Luck.

What dates did you get $138 pp for? That is a great rate!!
For the dates I need (11/3/-11/11), the prices have been $500 -600 pp for Continental out of Newark.

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Mich- you needed the same dates as me and I have been checking Continental for months now and haven't found anything under $500.

I did book the AirTran at $220 (with taxes) nonstop from Philly to MCO on those dates. I am checking AirTran as I write this and there is only one more non stop left at the $99 (one way) fare and it is at 7:20-9:47pm. The other non stops are $155 (one way). On the way back, there is only one more $99 non stop at that is at 8:15am. The other non stops are $155 one way. So if you are interested, you may want to jump on those.

Now, if you are willing to change planes, you can take AirTran out of Newark. They have tons of flights on Nov. 3 for $69!!!!!!!!!!!!! but you change planes in Atlanta. On the return, there are a few $69 flights (at 7am!) but there are still some decent times left at $109! Still good!

I chose not to buy those because I had to have a non stop. I am returning by myself and I have three kids (one with ADHD who can't sit still and wanders off). If I had another adult with me, I would have gone out of Newark for that price.

Good Luck

 

[mitushib]

Book now if late u see the same flight at a lower price call and they give u back the money as credit which u can use to book another flight later!!!

 

[don8life]

my dates are from the 6th to the 13th. We only have of the THURS and Friday so i can play with the dates.