Flying from NJ to Orlando in Aug

[poohfan]

Ok I'm not a big fan of changes so this is stressing me. In the past we've always flown Continental from Newark to Orlando. We're planning a trip in August and my first place to look was Continental. Unless I mixed up my numbers their rates went up in the past 2 weeks and now a round trip in August is over $300. So now we're looking into other airlines. I would love to hear first hand opinions from anyone on pros/cons of other airlines.

And seeing the Continental rates going up, should I book now or wait longer? I usually don't book this far in advance unless there's a great rate but on the Continental website the seats are filling up fast for those late-August flights (and I thought end of August started their slower season).

Thx

 

[PirateBride08]

Ok I'm not a big fan of changes so this is stressing me. In the past we've always flown Continental from Newark to Orlando. We're planning a trip in August and my first place to look was Continental. Unless I mixed up my numbers their rates went up in the past 2 weeks and now a round trip in August is over $300. So now we're looking into other airlines. I would love to hear first hand opinions from anyone on pros/cons of other airlines.

And seeing the Continental rates going up, should I book now or wait longer? I usually don't book this far in advance unless there's a great rate but on the Continental website the seats are filling up fast for those late-August flights (and I thought end of August started their slower season).

Thx

I live in Jersey too! I actually NEVER fly out of Newark though. I am in central Jersey and prefer Philly airport. However, my mom lives in Florida so I am always flying back and forth. I've flown AirTran, US Air, and Southwest most recently. Southwest is one of the cheapest, I flew round trip in August last year for under $180 (one person) I've flown AirTran the most and have never had a problem, well aside from bad weather causing a cancelled flight. Shop around, the most I've ever paid for airfare was $220 round trip from Philly to Orlando and that was December 15th! $300 seems to be a bit high

 

[ReneeDisney]

Try JETBLUE- they have TV's at every seat and they have really great specials online at jetblue.com.
ALso, try to be flexible with your times and dates. Sometime, but arriving one day earlier or leaving on a Sunday morning instead of a Saturday evening- you can save a bundle!
GOOD LUCK!
We've used JetBlue for quite a while and LOVE them!!

 

[mysparky]

Poohfan -
Not sure if you've seen the post about Airtran flights from Philly, but thought you should be aware....Airtran is running a special to/from Philly to Orlando. Looks like the special starts in late August (around 8/20). If you're going then and can swing the drive to/from NJ to Philly, it may be worth your while. Price is $27/each way on selected flights, but you have to book today (2/16)!

 

[bashful4u]

Not sure where in Jersey you live, but you may want to try flying out of Atlantic City with Spiritair. They always have special deals going on. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[kab407]

You've gotten good advice so far. For non-stop out of EWR JetBlue or Continential are your best bet. If you live closer to AC, Spirit is the way to go. I really like flying in/out of ACY. Easy to get in and out of and long term parking is cheap. With Philly you have SW and AirTran. With AirTran, make sure you have a non-stop flight. Many of them connect thru Atlanta Hartsfield. On a good day ATL is easy to get thru and if your flight is in the same terminal, piece of cake. When things are bad in ATL, it's . My flight on AT was delayed close to 3 hrs back on 2/1 due to weather. If it weren't for three dance teams heading to WDW for competition, I think they would have cancelled it.

 

[sue1013]

I always fly out of Newark it's just too convenient for me 20 mins. Philly and Atlantic City are just further than I'm willing to go. We used to fly Continental also but since JetBlue came to Newark we usually end up with them. Because of their policy if price drops you get a credit with no change fee like Continental. If Continental has a really good price of course I would go with them but if the price is close or the same as JetBlue I go with JetBlue.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Southwest has several non-stop flights daily from PHL-MCO. We flew there last May, Sept-Oct., and again last week. Each time we were able to get $44-49 pp each way.
Be sure to sign up for their Ding fares. An alert will be sent to your desktop and each sale lasts a few hours. If you find a better price than what you already paid, you can rebook (no change/cancellation fee) and pocket a credit that you have 1 yr. from original date to use, can be used online and it's transferrable.
My bro/sil live in North Jersey and drove to Philly last year just for the awesome deals to FL we can get. It's worth the drive!

 

[JJClemson]

And seeing the Continental rates going up, should I book now or wait longer? I usually don't book this far in advance unless there's a great rate but on the Continental website the seats are filling up fast for those late-August flights (and I thought end of August started their slower season).

Thx

Hi Poohfan, I'm a fellow EWR-MCO via Continental person

I always fly Continental and have my entire life, probably b/c I grew up 30 min from EWR.

Here is my suggestion. I went to WDW last August and flew Continental for about $230 round trip. We bought those tickets about 5 weeks before our vacation.

I live in Atlanta now, and wanted to go home to NJ for Thanksgiving last year. I looked up flight prices in Sept and they were already over $330, so I hurried up and booked. DF decided to come home with me only a month before Thanksgiving, and wouldn't you know he got a ticket on the same Continental flights for $220. Same thing happened for my JUne wedding in Disney. MY mom booked her tickets and mine in November and paid about $260 round trip. My dad waited and just booked and paid $208 round trip.

My point is, Continental often lowers their prices. However, if you buy your ticket at a higher price and the price goes down, they will not give you a refund (I have tried that ). Myabe be patient b/c you do still have 6 more months.

You may want to look into other airlines too. Good luck

 

[ducklite]

most of the major carriers raised rates last week in response to SW raising their rates. I'd book something now, IMHO prices are going to continue to escalate.

Anne

 

[finnie48]

Hi all,

Even though we live closer to Newark, we have been flying Spirit out of Atlantic City the last few trips - a small airport with nice facilities and inexpensive parking. We will be going August 6-13 and booked for $212 roundtrip incuding taxes and fees. Always a good idea to keep checking as they change rates frequently. Two weeks before we booked the cost was $167, but unfortunately are plans were not set at that time. Oh, the flight crew are always great.

Bob

 

[shoes99]

We fly out of Newark since we live 20 minutes away. I've been looking at ACY to MCO for fun and noticed that Delta has one flight a day non-stop from ACY-MCO. This might be good for travelers that like Delta. It is on a smaller plane, but it is non-stop. Their price is comparable to Spirit.

 

[DJEd]

Ok I'm not a big fan of changes so this is stressing me. In the past we've always flown Continental from Newark to Orlando. We're planning a trip in August and my first place to look was Continental. Unless I mixed up my numbers their rates went up in the past 2 weeks and now a round trip in August is over $300. So now we're looking into other airlines. I would love to hear first hand opinions from anyone on pros/cons of other airlines.

And seeing the Continental rates going up, should I book now or wait longer? I usually don't book this far in advance unless there's a great rate but on the Continental website the seats are filling up fast for those late-August flights (and I thought end of August started their slower season).

Thx

I used to be a big Continental Fan (and still am) but if JetBlue flies to my destination, I use them - especially with kids.

We used JetBlue (out of Newark) to Orlando our last trip to Disney in 2005, as well as down to Tampa on our Cruise last year. The TVs really help kill the time with two kids (now aged 8 and 5), so do the unlimited snacks.

We will be using JetBlue when we go to Disney in November of this year (as soon as they open up those dates).

Plus their fares are always a lot less than Continental.

Ed