FLY US AIR?? Or Wait for SW?

[Donnask8pro]

The carriers are so limited flying out of PHL to MCO. I dont want to fly USair but.... going crazy trying to figure out what to do. HELP...Any clue when SW open ups for Nov-Dec? Thanks for trying to help me relax..

 

[beccasmom]

I regularly use USAIRways, but don't think I would book them for a holiday period....remember last Christmas? However, we used them in February for a trip to WDW and it was generally fine, except that when we arrived back in PHL, we had a 55 minute wait for our luggage. Long by my standards, but better than what some folks have experienced; in MCO the bags were there by the time we got to the luggage carousel.

We are using USAIRways again in late June; our fare was pretty good - $144, but taxes took it up to $179 each. I was trying to book SW, but all the really excellent fares were gone...most of the June fares had to be used by 6/16 and we are going later in the month. I really don't have any worries about using USAIRways at the moment, but I can see why you'd hesitate. PHL does not have the best track record lately with regards to that airline. You might try AirTran or Delta......I haven't used either lately, but it might be worth a look.

 

[mrslur]

I just booked US Air out of PHL this week. Both AirTran and Delta were much more money for our flights 11/27 and 12/3. I didn't want to chance waiting for SWA dates which probably won't be out until June.

 

[safetymom]

Just because they had problems last Christmas doesn't mean they will this year. I would go with USAirways.

 

[coasterbob]

The carriers are so limited flying out of PHL to MCO. I dont want to fly USair but.... going crazy trying to figure out what to do. HELP...Any clue when SW open ups for Nov-Dec? Thanks for trying to help me relax..

Donna:

I am in the same dilemma: looking for air, Philly-MCO 12/2-12/10. I wanna wait for SW to open, but don't know when that will happen. Nobody at SW has a clue, so I am looking for guesstimates here as to when? I have flown AirTran to MCO before, with no probs, but I really DONT wanna go USscAir!

Help! Bob

 

[Bill From PA]

We connected through PHL on New Year's Day via USAir, a week after the X-Mas Baggage Disaster. All legs of our trip were on time and pleasant. USAir seems to be among the low cost carriers for our March 2006 trip, and if they stay that way until next week when the prices for 3/3 - 3/13 2006 come out, I'll go with them. I usually don't book so far out, but I think fuel costs will cause fare increases as time goes on.

Bill From PA

 

[tessqt]

How far away is Harrisburg International from you?? We were going to fly out of PHL then I heard about Transmeridian Air flying non stop from Harrisburg to Sanford International. It is 18 miles north of Orlando. It's not Orlando International but I have not been able to find a good price out of PHL. We live in Lancaster County so it is closer for us to go to Harrisburg. We are going after Thanksgiving.

Last week Transmeridian did not have flights out of Harris past September then I checked again this week and they are listed into December.

 

[Donnask8pro]

Harrisburg is 2 hours away. I'm taking 2 kids w/ me. 1 in a wheelchair. I can not drive that far, although thanks for the thought. We're 5 minutes over the bridge from Phila. Our prices are 0ver 225 per person on Air trans and Usair. I also am paying for my mom. Should I book because of the gas prices? Its probably only going to get worse.
AUGHHH

We're flying Nov 25th- 12/04 What price did you get on Usair?

 

[Bill From PA]

Normally I start watching fares as soon as they come out for our travel dates, 330 days out. For many months they're all over the place, but I get a sense of the range and what constitutes a good deal. Usually, about 3 months or less before departure, the price will hit it's low, excepting travel dates that fall in a holiday. I've successfully hit the low the last 3 or 4 trips to WDW. This year I'm worried about fuel costs impacting this history. If I can get RT tix from PHL to MCO non-stop for $220 or less when my dates come out next week, I'm buying. I've seen them for $183 for the week before we go. I'll risk losing a bargain because of my concerns, you'll have to decide for yourself. Good luck and let us know how you do.

Bill From PA

 

[Donnask8pro]

Thanks Bill. I have never done thid before. Always use a travel agent. Trying to learn. Love the 24 hours in a day.

 

[Donnask8pro]

MrsLur, what did you end up paying? I just checked Spirit, OMG they were the most expensive

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

Donna....

I was just in the same boat, I have only ever flown USAir, and was gonna get tickets from there, but I waited, and waited and waited and I am so glad I did...USAir was over $600.00 for three RT tixs...got them through SW and paid $350.70 for 3 RT tixs...I say wait, SW prices are great even without a sale.

 

[Donnask8pro]

well, looks like I am waiting. Prices just SHOT up... From 231.00 to 336.00 rt. Hurry up SW. Think its around June they'll open up? Please keep me in mind when anyone spots SW opening... Thanks everyone

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We fly SWA or Air Trans out of Phildelphia and have never paid more than $79 each way plus tax. I would definitely wait!

 

[Donnask8pro]

Airtrans... 246.00 RT right now. scary.. isnt it?

 

[puffkin]

I have never had luck getting a good fare on Southwest. I always end up with US Air out of Philly. We have never had any major problems. I like to plan in advance, and Southwest isn't very conducive to that. We are trying Airtran in June, so we will see how that goes.....

 

[dis_danny]

We've always used USAir out of PHL without incident, but their recent troubles have me a bit concerned. I had Dividend Miles to use up, however, so I booked us with them one more time. I got 176.30 RT nonstops to MCO in March for August trip so I am happy with the rate. Hopefully, all will go well.

 

[wendydarling826]

I'm in the same boat. I've been watching fares for our August trip for a while now and they still seem too high to me. We always flew Southeast out of Allentown into Sanford and are disappointed that we have to fly out of PHL now. None of our experiences flying out of PHL have been good. We almost missed our USAir flight in January, despite the fact that we were at the airport when their checkin desks opened at 5 a.m. Their checkin process was ridiculously inefficient - they kept taking us out of the very long lines and sending us to computers for self checkin. The computers didn't work, so it was back to the long lines - again and again. They were understaffed and the few people who were working were rude.
I've downloaded DING to keep an eye on deals from SWA, but their sale fares never seem to be available for PHL to MCO for our dates and their regular fares are higher than Airtran. I'm thinking I'd better buy our tickets soon before the fuel prices send the prices soaring, but just not sure which airline to fly. There's a new charter airline flying out of Allentown, but only one flight a day and it's too late in the day for us. So for now, I'm watching and waiting. The whole airport/airline thing is the least magical part of getting there.

 

[Goofy22]

Donna:

I am in the same dilemma: looking for air, Philly-MCO 12/2-12/10. I wanna wait for SW to open, but don't know when that will happen. Nobody at SW has a clue, so I am looking for guesstimates here as to when? I have flown AirTran to MCO before, with no probs, but I really DONT wanna go USscAir!

Help! Bob

From what I understand Southwest usually opens airfARE 5 MONTHS OUT! Right now they are booking thru Sept! I'm assuming that it will change the end of this month thru til apprx Oct 12th because I'm waiting for the end of Oct thru Nov so I am assuming they will be out by the end of May begining of June but the specials usually come almost a month later from what I've seen when I called southwest they told me July for November if that helps! I also have been told by numerous people on these boards they book 5 months out!
Hope that helps you make you're decision!

 

[Goofy22]

well, looks like I am waiting. Prices just SHOT up... From 231.00 to 336.00 rt. Hurry up SW. Think its around June they'll open up? Please keep me in mind when anyone spots SW opening... Thanks everyone

I'm also playing the waiting game we are trying to get reasonable airfare for 5! And it's almost impossible! I downloaded DING from southwest! To get the best deals as soon as they come out! From what I understand you need ding downloaded to get the ding prices! We're flying 10/29 and returning on 11/05 ! I've been told SW opens fares 5 months in advance there is a link on this transportation board somewhere that explains it all to you! I called SW when my dates were originally Nov 5th returning on the 12th and they told me in July they should be out so I'm assuming June at the worst case because from watching it seems like it could be the end of May or Begining of JUNE! I keep watching ! If you don't have DING already ! Goto www.southwest.com and click on the DING icon and download it it's worth it! When they have those special fares you only have so many hours to purchase them! Hope this helps ya!