Has Anyone Flown on July 4th??

[cindala]

There are two possible dates for us to fly to WDW next year, and one of them might be on the July 4th holiday. Has anyone flown on that holiday, and was it crowded, crazy, or nervewracking?

It's on a Thursday next year, so many may be taking a long weekend, and leaving Wednesday night, or Thursday morning. We're not sure what we are going to do yet, but I wanted to get a feel for flying on that day.


Any information really appreciated!!!!

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

We flew home on Delta from wdw this year on July 4th which was a wednesday!! It was no more crowded than any other time we flew.

However we originally had a 2 p.m. flight time...it got cancelled. We were never told it was canceled ....I just happened to notice that it was never showing as an option anymore so I called to check. I had to fly home at 4 instead which was OK.

I actually expected it to be less crowded because most people are enjoying the holiday!!

 

[mickeyinjune]

we flew on delta last year over the holiday and it was terrible. they had over booked the flight and needed 12 people to volunteer their seats. (for vouchers whcih started at $200 and went up to $800 after and hour delay). They kept announcing the flight can not leave until we can get volunteers. there were 7 of us going (2 kids) only one adult got by the kids the rest of us were skattered. We just got back using US air, their flights were delayed about an hour each way, the Charlotte NC airport was busy.

 

[cindala]

So far it sounds like flights are either underbooked so they are cancelled and combined with another flight, or overbooked, probably resulting from another cancelled flight being combined.

Anyone else have any experiences to share?

 

[travelcoupons]

Flew on July 4 last year (Delta)...was pretty much normal.

Actually, that is usually a slower day...airlines run sales for that day in the week preceeding it because of low loads.

 

[cindala]

So does this mean that flights on July 3rd and 4th should be cheaper? If the loads are lower does this increase the chance of underbooked flights being cancelled, and then combined with other flights, making those flights more crowded? (Hope I said that right!)

Thanks for your info!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

So, would it be better to take the first flight out or what on the 4th? (going to Orlando) Or, would you want to take a flight where another one is leaving shortly after yours?

Thanks!

 

[travelcoupons]

I don't see Orlando flights getting cancelled on that date. More likely cancellations would be routes with a high % of business travellers. (Example: Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, San Jose to Los Angeles)
Check out this link for 4th of July week cancellation percentages during the year 2000:
http://www.bts.gov/oai/holidaytravel/4th_July_2000/html/cancelled_carrier.html

The best airfare sales for the fourth happen in the two weeks preceeding the holiday. Usually they apply only to the 3 or 4 days around the 4th and you have to return by the 5th or 6th of July normally...not a good idea to depend on those sale fares for a vacation getaway. You are better off purchasing when a good sale comes out...usually you won't see any good sales for that month until late march until May.

 

[cindala]

Thanks for the link! Cancellation numbers seem to jump after the holiday, on the 5th, 6th, and 7th. Interesting information.

No, I couldn't wait for two weeks before to book my flights for vacation like you said. I even feel uneasy about waiting until March to book my flights!

Thanks for all the info!!