Finally don't have to fly through Atlanta!

[DisneyRegulars]

For those traveling in late April/May/June time frame Southwest opened up their schedule today. Was finally able to snag flights down to Orlando for our anniversary trip that don't go through Atlanta. The past 2 trips we have been stuck for hours in Atlanta. This year there was actually a direct flight available that left after work. I'm so excited!!! Also got a really late return flight that is also direct, 8:40pm departure from Orlando, that's like having an entire extra day! Yipeee!!! We can totally make the most of our likely one and only Grand Floridian stay. Happy flight hunting everyone.

 

[luckyman_apd]

For those traveling in late April/May/June time frame Southwest opened up their schedule today. Was finally able to snag flights down to Orlando for our anniversary trip that don't go through Atlanta. The past 2 trips we have been stuck for hours in Atlanta. This year there was actually a direct flight available that left after work. I'm so excited!!! Also got a really late return flight that is also direct, 8:40pm departure from Orlando, that's like having an entire extra day! Yipeee!!! We can totally make the most of our likely one and only Grand Floridian stay. Happy flight hunting everyone.

Buffalo is a tough airport for direct I think. Unfortunately SW has pulled back from Philly so there are less options making the prices much higher. BWI for us is an hour and a half away and usually a much cheaper option. Spirit flies out of Atlantic city which is a lot closer for us.....but Spirit sucks. SW schedule only goes to April, but Spirit has an $168 round trip direct flight. Cheapest SW out of BWI is usually $206 round trip. Might have to take Spirit and pay the bag fees just to lock it the fare.

 

[Kidanifan08]

For those traveling in late April/May/June time frame Southwest opened up their schedule today. Was finally able to snag flights down to Orlando for our anniversary trip that don't go through Atlanta. The past 2 trips we have been stuck for hours in Atlanta. This year there was actually a direct flight available that left after work. I'm so excited!!! Also got a really late return flight that is also direct, 8:40pm departure from Orlando, that's like having an entire extra day! Yipeee!!! We can totally make the most of our likely one and only Grand Floridian stay. Happy flight hunting everyone.

Thanks for the heads-up! We have been waiting for SWA/Aitran to open up April so we can book our return flight after Spring Break. It seems like the prices are the best when the dates first open up with these two airlines.

Buffalo is a tough airport for direct I think. Unfortunately SW has pulled back from Philly so there are less options making the prices much higher. BWI for us is an hour and a half away and usually a much cheaper option. Spirit flies out of Atlantic city which is a lot closer for us.....but Spirit sucks. SW schedule only goes to April, but Spirit has an $168 round trip direct flight. Cheapest SW out of BWI is usually $206 round trip. Might have to take Spirit and pay the bag fees just to lock it the fare.

SW and Airtran both have their schedules out to early June. I kinda wish we had Spirit out of IND.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Thanks for the heads-up! We have been waiting for SWA/Aitran to open up April so we can book our return flight after Spring Break. It seems like the prices are the best when the dates first open up with these two airlines.
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That's what I've found so far too. And best yet, if you find a cheaper price later you can always cancel and rebook at the lower fare.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Thanks for the heads-up! We have been waiting for SWA/Aitran to open up April so we can book our return flight after Spring Break. It seems like the prices are the best when the dates first open up with these two airlines.



SW and Airtran both have their schedules out to early June. I kinda wish we had Spirit out of IND.

Spirit can be hit or miss. Best flight I've ever gotten out of BWI with SW is $96 and it comes with no bag fees. A realistic price if planning in advance is $109 one way and up, but $109 is typical if flying midweek. Now Spirit I can book now for $84 one way. That is a $9 fare club price, so I'd have to pay $60 for that, and once in the club, you can get all your tickets at that price (meaning not everyone in the family needs to be in the club as long as you are flying with a $9 fare club member). So that adds $7.50 to the price of each ticket ($15 round trip), and then it's $20 for a checked bag ($9 fare club saves $5 on checked bag), plus I would have to pay $5 minimum to select seats together (because Spirit can seat you anywhere if you don't prepay for your seat). So now that's an additional $40 per person (if everyone checks a bag). That $84 flight just became $116.50.

So the BWI southwest flight at $109 is comparable. Longer ride to BWI for sure, but Spirit also sticks it to you with no legroom. They cram more seats per aircraft than any other carrier so you get less legroom, and it's noticeable.

So Spirit may help if it came to your airport by sparking competition, but just remember what you have to pay extra for with spirit......oh and your luggage can max out at 40lbs, not 50 like everyone else.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Spirit can be hit or miss. Best flight I've ever gotten out of BWI with SW is $96 and it comes with no bag fees. A realistic price if planning in advance is $109 one way and up, but $109 is typical if flying midweek. Now Spirit I can book now for $84 one way. That is a $9 fare club price, so I'd have to pay $60 for that, and once in the club, you can get all your tickets at that price (meaning not everyone in the family needs to be in the club as long as you are flying with a $9 fare club member). So that adds $7.50 to the price of each ticket ($15 round trip), and then it's $20 for a checked bag ($9 fare club saves $5 on checked bag), plus I would have to pay $5 minimum to select seats together (because Spirit can seat you anywhere if you don't prepay for your seat). So now that's an additional $40 per person (if everyone checks a bag). That $84 flight just became $116.50.

So the BWI southwest flight at $109 is comparable. Longer ride to BWI for sure, but Spirit also sticks it to you with no legroom. They cram more seats per aircraft than any other carrier so you get less legroom, and it's noticeable.

So Spirit may help if it came to your airport by sparking competition, but just remember what you have to pay extra for with spirit......oh and your luggage can max out at 40lbs, not 50 like everyone else.

All good points about the additional costs. Those "extras" are one of the reasons we prefer SWA over Airtran. Of course, sometimes Airtran has a better schedule than SWA for our needs, so we end up paying for the extras. SWA and Airtran are the only "discount" airlines out of IND, so with them merging, I worry that we are not going to have affordable options soon. Bringing in another discount airline like Spirit would at least keep some competition in Indy. Of course, if they don't offer non-stops to MCO, then forget it!

 

[lodge]

They are already merged (have been for well over a year) with staff, just haven't completed the public policy offers yet. Merging the pilot's union was troublesome... I hope the rest goes more smoothly.