Flight Departures

[shenaniganzz]

I've been looking at flights from Ottawa to Orlando for September for our 2nd WDW trip. There are no direct flights from Ottawa to Orlando at that time of year, so we'd have to connect through TO or Montreal.

The flights leave Ottawa at 7am or 8am. For an international flight, that means arriving at the airport at 4am or 5am, which means getting up at an hour that I am just not prepared to. Moreso because I have a 4 y.o that just would NOT travel well if overtired and I don't think that's fair to other passengers.

Last year, WJ had a flight that allowed us to fly in the night before (YOW to YYZ) and then leave TO the next morning at 10:30. This was PERFECT.

So far there are no such flights available (unless I book YOW to YYZ separately). Is it likely as we get closer that more flights will be added?

TIA!

 

[ottawamom]

You can't get anywhere directly from Ottawa at that time of year. Have you ever considered driving to Syracuse (3 hrs) staying overnight and flying out of there in the morning. The prices are way better and don't get me started on the taxes. Jet Blue has direct flights as do other airlines. The hotels in the area have park and fly option and the airport is really easy to get around in.

Personally we are driving to Buffalo and flying Southwest. I won't fly out of Ottawa anymore when going to a US destination.

 

[shenaniganzz]

I've tried convincing my DH to fly out of Syracuse on JetBlue, but he refuses to fly any US airlines. I think he's watched too many episodes of Mayday.

I didn't mind the route we did last year (price aside ) but I'm worried the flights out now will be the only ones offered. If that's the case, I may have to work harder to convince him to try Syracuse/JetBlue.

 

[gilsan]

If you are connecting from Ottawa to Toronto or Montreal it is not an international flight but domestic, your connection would be the international portion. You would only need to be at the airport 60-90 minutes prior to your flight.

 

[shenaniganzz]

gilsan, I had no idea (obviously). I thought they looked at the final destination to determine that.

 

[mtmbyck]

I also say to convince hubby on JetBlue. We are flying it in 3 weeks out of Syracuse. TVs at every seat and they have never been mentioned on Mayday! Connecting in TO means having to do customs in TO both to and from Orlando before boarding the second flight. And no duty free coming home as you will have to claim in in Toronot and then cannot fly with that much liquid to Ottawa - unless you check a bag. Big pain.

 

[shenaniganzz]

mtm. Maybe I can convince hubby that the odds are in our favour on JB.. they are too new to crash! I'll have to work on him!!!

 

[ccudmore]

Also consider Allegiant Airlines flying out of Plattsburgh NY. About the same drive as Syracuse and an even smaller airport to get through. Only downside is that they fly in Sanford airport in Orlando so you'll need to rent a car (which isn't necessarily a bad thing)

 

[ccudmore]

There's also several other options for connections other than Tronoto or Montreal, Go to hipmunk.com and put in the two cities and you'll find lots of other options through places like Philadelphia and Washington.

 

[mayjay]

ditto the Syracuse or Plattsburgh options. I'm going from Syracuse next week, and the following week my friend is going out of Plattsburgh, for a lot less than what I paid, and it was $339 a person (for 4 of us)

In the past I've flown out of Ottawa direct, but couldn't get anything in my budget this time around. Now driving to Syracuse could be a headache with my 2 kids LOL!

Also, like a PP mentioned, you can get a connection via an airport in the US. United flies out of DC. We connected through them on the way home last time.

But you're still paying more. For our family of 4, even with 2 extra nights in a hotel in Syracuse (way down and back) we're saving about $900!

 

[clickTHEMOUSE]

My sister lives near Ottawa. She flies from Syracuse all the time and loves it!