For our upcoming March 2012 trip, we've been looking at the Westjet prices for direct flights from Ottawa and they're not looking too good. For our family of three, it looks like it's going to be somewhere in the $2500 neighborhood. From Syracuse though the prices are more in the $1200 range. It might be worth $500 - $600 for the convenience of flying out of our 'home' airport... but $1300?
As we try to decide on one vs. the other, I've tried to come up with a list of Pros and Cons. Have I missed anything?
Ottawa
Advantages
- 20 minutes from home
- If the flight is cancelled, we can go home to wait for the next one
- If we wait, Westjet (or Air Canada) might have a seat sale which would narrow the price gap.
Disadvantages
- Price - Seems to be at least double for our family of 3.
- $100 - $150 to park at the airport
- More time lining up / waiting in the airport (international flight)
Syracuse
Advantages
- Price - Seems to be about half as much for our family of 3.
- Less time in the airport (domestic flight)
- Check in for our return flight at the resort! (domestic flight)
- If we do it now, it's done... We can book our car rental and finalize our hotel reservations and there's no more thinking about it and waiting for seat sales.
Disadvantages
- 3.5 hour drive from home... in March (snowstorms are possible)
- We'll regret not being home when we land on the return trip and are driving for 3.5 hours.
- ~$200 for a hotel the night before the flight (park and fly package). May not be required depending on which flights we choose.
- ~$50 for a tank of gas to drive there
- Possible waits at the border crossing (would likely be going through late in the night both times though)
- If our bags didn't arrive on our flight back... that could cause problems.
- There might be a Westjet seat sale.
Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
As we try to decide on one vs. the other, I've tried to come up with a list of Pros and Cons. Have I missed anything?
Ottawa
Advantages
- 20 minutes from home
- If the flight is cancelled, we can go home to wait for the next one
- If we wait, Westjet (or Air Canada) might have a seat sale which would narrow the price gap.
Disadvantages
- Price - Seems to be at least double for our family of 3.
- $100 - $150 to park at the airport
- More time lining up / waiting in the airport (international flight)
Syracuse
Advantages
- Price - Seems to be about half as much for our family of 3.
- Less time in the airport (domestic flight)
- Check in for our return flight at the resort! (domestic flight)
- If we do it now, it's done... We can book our car rental and finalize our hotel reservations and there's no more thinking about it and waiting for seat sales.
Disadvantages
- 3.5 hour drive from home... in March (snowstorms are possible)
- We'll regret not being home when we land on the return trip and are driving for 3.5 hours.
- ~$200 for a hotel the night before the flight (park and fly package). May not be required depending on which flights we choose.
- ~$50 for a tank of gas to drive there
- Possible waits at the border crossing (would likely be going through late in the night both times though)
- If our bags didn't arrive on our flight back... that could cause problems.
- There might be a Westjet seat sale.
Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.