For those flying

[Reese]

Have you ever used Southwest? I'm finding incredibly cheap rates through their website from Buffalo for their internet special.

 

[cabmom]

Hi, if you go thru all the threads that you can see on the Canadian Boards or Transportation board you will see there are a lot of us that travel SW.

They are awesome and yes very cheap!

Hope you found some dates that suit you!

Marilynn

 

[Reese]

from the USA? I noticed an Ontario airport on there but I'm not sure if it's Pearson? Also are their internet special fares secure?

 

[poohbear7]

The Ont. you see on the SW site is Ontario California

 

[Reese]

It wasn't making sense to me saying ON Ca, I just assumed Ontario Canada.

Does anyone used the Ding application? It won't accept a postal code so I didn't know if there was anyway around that.

 

[cabmom]

Use 14225 or 14228 they are both Buffalo.

 

[maryliz]

It wasn't making sense to me saying ON Ca, I just assumed Ontario Canada.

I'm a member of that club too! Made no sense to me but I had never heard of a city named "Ontario"!

Love SWA out of Buffalo. Flying can't be simpler! DING is great, and checking their site for on-line specials is a good idea too. I thought I read somewhere that Tuesdays are the days for internet specials.

Try and get the N/S flights if it suits your schedule.

Mary-Liz

 

[chasbos]

SWA is the best!

6 of us flew last January for $451 return from Buffalo to Orlando - both non/stop flights. I was so excited when I got that rate - saved us over $2000 than flying from Toronto.

DH and I are cruising out of Miami this January and we are using SWA again to fly into Ft. Lauderdale. They do not have direct flights but with it only being the 2 of us flying I can handle a stop for $46 each way!

 

[Reese]

I was wondering if you had any trouble with ticketless travel? Also do you get any hassle with your ID since your not from the USA? I've never flown so I'm full of questions.

 

[chasbos]

We had no trouble at all with ticketless travel. I had my print out from the reservation that I made online but she did not even look at it.

All she needed was my name and then my passport I gave her for ID.

Since you have never flown before I should also warn you that SWA does not assign seats. When you check in they give you an A, B, or C boarding pass and then you line up in those lines and when they let you board the plane you just pick an open seat.

I was very concerned about this last year when we flew because there is 6 of us but it worked out just fine. We were able to get A boarding passes when we checked in (and we did not arrive very eary - maybe 1.5 hours before take off) and we sat 3 & 3 there and back.

It is a very efficient airline and they are usually right on schedule. There are TV's on board but it is only a 2 hour flight from Buffalo to Orlando. They do give you a snack and drink mid flight.

As I said before, I was a little worried about this no frills airline but I was pleasantly surprised and will now fly nothing else if I am flying within the US.

Too bad we did not have such an airline within Canada! I am still a little sore that 6 of us can fly to Florida for $451 US and it is going to cost us almost $4000 for fly from Toronto to Vancouver next summer. There is just something wrong with that math.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I agree with chasbos.

When we were looking for Feb '05 I saw some people on the DIS talking about SWA so I went to the website. I almost had a heart attack!! The Pearson flight for the 3 of us was about $1150 CDN. I went to SWA and it was $525 USD - I almost fell off my chair. But.....then I started to think, it is too good to be true. The ticket will be worthless, it will be a prop plane, I won't be able to get across the border etc etc LOL. Anyway, after reading ALOT on the DIS and asking questions just like you I went for it. And it was GREAT!! The stewardesses were hilarious, the main one that was giving the speech about what to do in case of emergency was cracking jokes, the pop and crackers they give you are way better than AirCanada and the plane was really nice (and normal size lol). I printed our boarding passes at the hotel we stayed at the night before (we caught the 7:15am N/S) and we were fine. We had a little guy so we actually got to on first, but I wanted the pass just in case. We are flying SW again next week ( ) just DH and I and we decided to stay over the night before again just in case - it's only $100 and they let you park and fly and have a nice continental breakfast so why not - much less stress than driving at 4 in the morning!! Anyway, SWA often has great sales leading up to your flight, for me I like to book and then watch for deals and re-book at the lower rate. SWA is great for giving credit or refund back for the difference. Our Feb flight ended up finally being $225 USD for the 3 of us and our flight next week is $215 for the 2 of us. Not too shabby!!!!!!

 

[dsneygirl]

Couldn't be simpler. I've been flying SW for years to MCO and Las Vegas, LAX. Dh is going on them to Las Vegas again this week.

I have our ID and airline confirmation in hand at the border and have never had a problem. Like others have said there is no way I'll give Air Canada over $500 per person when I can drive an extra hour and spend $150 per person.

 

[Reese]

checked out the site I thought it must be to good to be true . I'm feeling better about this. We'll have a baby in arms so I've been reading elsewhere that they let you board early so hopefully than we'll be able to get seats together. I'm sure that my 5 and 6 year olds won't want to sit withought us, on the other hand I'm sure my 13 year old would love to sit on the other side of the plane .

Would you suggest passports. We have birth certificates and I have my status card also. Is that okay at the airport?

So many questions. We were originally going to drive but since I'll be 28 weeks pregnant at the time we've decided flying would be the better option.

Also do they have hotels near the airport? How does the park and fly work? Would DH drop us and the luggage off and than go park and catch up?

 

[chasbos]

We stayed at the Comfort Suites - 3 big beds!

They have a continental breakfast in the am and shuttle service to the airport and back. We just left our van there and called them when we landed and had our luggage.

Which is another great thing about flying within the US - you have your luggage in no time and no customs!

 

[Reese]

We'de like to get an early flight out but the thoughts of having to drive at three in the morning to get there was just not appealing. How early do you have to get to the airport to to get your boarding pass and luggage checked ect..

Also this will be my kids first time flying so I'm not sure what to do to prepare them for it. Any suggestions? Also if your prone to car sickness will the same apply in the air?

 

[chasbos]

We booked the 7:15 flight into Orlando and we had the 5:45 a.m. shuttle to the airport.

We arrived the night before after leaving home at 4:30 p.m. - checked into the hotel, the kids swam, we ordered pizza and wings from a local restaurant.

When we got to the airport they drop you off at the SWA area of the airport and you can either give your luggage there or wait until you check in.

We did not print off boarding passes the night before as you have to do it after midnight.

 

[hockey mom]

We love SW. We actually had more of a hassle flying from To than out of Buffalo. The airport is alot smaller also so you only have to be there about an hour ahead of time.

We are a family of 5 and even after receiving "C" boarding passes we still sat together.

The shuttle service from Holiday inn Express is excellent. They were there to pick us up within 5 minutes of calling them. It is right across the street.

 

[Reese]

How do you pay for your SW tickets?

 

[dsneygirl]

The website will take your credit card. Or you can call the 1-800# the staff are very friendly. They do let families with young children board first but on the Orlando flight that's like half the plane

 

[Reese]

Dh and I haven't decided which day to leave on yet. Are weekdays busier than weekends or vice versa.