How to choose an airline

[Abibaby]

We are flying to disney from Grand Rapids MI in August. This is the first time any of us have been on a plane in about 15 years and the first time I / we are booking it. How do we choose an airline / how do we know what one to avoid? Of course cost is a huge factor, but wondering if there are any other 'obvious' things that we may be missing since we are not used ot flying. Planning the rest of the trip, the resort, the meals the everything has been so fun...but I am dreading the research of / bookingn of the flight...seems like there are SO many options. I believe the airlines we have access to are delta, air tran, continental, united, american, frontier.

thanks

 

[Jestocost]

I doubt any of those are non stops, so I would look at price and routing. Based on the time of year you are flying there may be particular airports you don't want to connect in due to weather. Some airports I would avoid altogether unless the flights are much cheaper. If Continental has you going through Newark, for example, I would try to avoid that connection as the NY airports are always fouled up for one reason or another.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Most airlines are very similar. Chose a flight based on price (remember many airlines charge to check luggage), travel time (non-stop is the best, but often more expensive or not available), and time of day of flights.

I agree with the above poster that if you have to connect somewhere, try and avoid any airport in the NYC area!

 

[greenclan67]

Airtran has non-stop flights from Grand Rapids, and I have flown with them from there. They seem to have to best prices! I don't know how close you are to Grand Rapids, but we also check Flint, & Lansing! Lansing has suncountry vacations! It's a great spot to fly out of. Allegiant air flies from Grand Rapids also, but fly into Sanford airport not MCO! They have flights at about $64 right now!
Any help with that area, let me know!