Fly Cheap or Fly Easy? First time flyers!

[NvrBnToWDW]

Here is my dilemma: I'm waiting for Southwest to publish flights for the first week of May. But they don't fly from Dallas to Orlando. We have to fly from Dallas to Austin or Houston then to Orlando. I heard that Southwest is cheap and AA is $842 for the 4 of us. Since this will be our first flight and my family is a little hesitant is it better to take the direct route on AA? Or should we wait for the cheaper Southwest? Is it a lot of hassle to switch flights in another city if you are airport virgins?

 

[littleclover]

I personally fly direct all the time. You really don't want to spend more time then necessary in an airport when you can already be doing the sites. You have to keep in mind all the hassles that can arise if you miss your flight. Good luck in deciding.

 

[janette]

Southwest won't be much if any cheaper than AA, you'll pay at least $68 rt to get to Houston or Austin. Southwest best fares are usually $198 rt from Austin & Houston.

Keep watching airfares, with Delta moving out several things could happen with the fares from DFW. There is even a rumor that Southwest might fly from some of the gates vacated by Delta.

If you really don't mind devoting a day to travel try priceline for a bargain but I usually try to find rt trip fares with non-stops. If you watch shouldn't be a problem to get them at about $200 or less.

 

[swilphil]

Southwest has some great fares to and from East Coast cities, but I know they don't have anything much cheaper than $842 for 4 from the Midwest to Orlando. I'd book the AA flight. I think the fees and/or taxes also are a little lower when you fly non-stop. I will only fly direct with my kids--less hassle and not so hard on their ears.

 

[shelleybell]

I agree with janette. I fly nonstop from DFW as I hate to fly. I just cant imagine 2 take offs and landings! The past 3 years we have gotten tixs for around 200 ea. I also am waiting to see what SW will do if they go to DFW and the whole Wright Amendment thing!

shelleybell

 

[melindaandrob]

Fly easy! With kids - we fly Southwest from Buffalo to Orlando non-stop. The extra few dollars I may spend on non-stop flights is soooooo worth it! If this is the kids first flights I also suggest 'ear planes' for their ears. Two out of three of my children have a terrible time with their ears during flights!
Have fun!

 

[prncess674]

I am not opposed to connecting flights but if you fly SWA from Dallas to Austin/Houston to Orlando due to the wright amendment you will be on a two separate tickets which will require you to collect your luggage in Austin/Houston and then recheck your luggage. This could take upwards of 2 hours. If per chance your flight to Austin/Houston were delayed SWA owes you nothing to get you on the next Orlando flight because you are on two separate tickets. If it were up to me I would not fly SWA to Orlando from Dallas.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Definitely DO NOT fly anything but a direct flight with children.

I do not think it is worth it.