Frequent flyers can you answer a question...

[mousemomof2]

We will be traveling to WDW in March of 2008. I have been looking at some flight times and they are not what I am really looking for. Do you know if they add more flights closer to the date or is it pretty much whats there is what it is. We are flying out of Detroit. If we take an early flight home, say 8:30ish does that mean I would have to be at the airport at 6:30ish. I will be traveling with 3 small children. Any advice would be appreciated. I haven't flown since 99. TIA

Carolyn

 

[bradk]

if you're planning on taking DME, it's 3 hours prior to your flight, so an 8:30 flight would get you picked up around 5:30.

 

[bavaria]

Legacy carriers typically do schedule changes 4x a year, so there will definitely be schedule changes before 2008

 

[UltimateWDWFan]

I've flown from MCO to DTW frequently, and I'd recommend that you try to find a noon-ish flight out of MCO (or Sanford, if you must). Unless there's some reason you need to get into DTW before late afternoon, take advantage of the opportunity to make your last full day at WDW a good one, then sleep in the next morning, pack when you wake up, and catch a ride to the airport around 9:00. (One spouse can take the kids for breakfast while the other finishes packing!)

Flights will change in the next year, but my experience has been that there won't be any major changes (unless a new carrier pops up or the one you want to fly with goes under).

 

[Pinnie]

Flying of of DTW to MCO gives you some options. NWA has non stops but keep in mind, if you book early, chances are that the flight WILL be changed. Happens all the time with them.

SPIRIT flys out of the old SMITH Terminal with some decent fares, but you will pay extra for more than on piece of luggage that you check.

SWA currently offers a non stop to MCO early in the morning and a return non stop in the early afternoon. All other flights on SWA require a change of planes or a 'touch and go' through BNA.

You also have the option of Delta, Air Tran and a couple other legacy airlines.

I fly a lot out of DTW, if you have any other ?s feel free to ask or PM me.

pinnie

 

[bicker]

While flight schedules will change, it is as likely as not that some flights currently scheduled will be removed. Flights schedules do change over time, in response to increased (and decreased) business from a specific city, but generally new flights won't regularly be added once the advance schedule is announced.

 

[seashoreCM]

. I have been looking at some flight times and they are not what I am really looking for. Do you know if they add more flights closer to the date or is it pretty much whats there is what it is.

My recent experience, which includes busy times like Sunday after Thanksgiving, is that "that's it". I have even seen almost full planeloads of flights cancelled (by Delta, admittedly during a tenuous situation namely shortly after 9/11/01).

A few decades ago I have seen situation where "extra sections", that is, two planes instead of one for a given departure time, were scheduled.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[debster812]

SPIRIT flys out of the old SMITH Terminal with some decent fares, but you will pay extra for more than on piece of luggage that you check.

Actually, by the time OP flies next February, Spirit will be charging for ALL checked bags. $10 for the first bag for each ticketed passenger, $100 for the second checked bag. And they will only guarantee space for one bag per passenger, and will take 2nd bags only if space allows.