JetBlue adding Flights to MCO from DCA and LGA

[GrnMtnMan]

JetBlue just announced it is adding flights to Orlando from Washington's Reagan National and New York's LaGuardia.

Key summer schedule highlights, effective June 11, 2012, for Reagan National:

- Three additional daily flights to Boston (for a total of ten)
- Two additional daily flights to Fort Lauderdale (for a total of three)
- Two additional daily flights to Orlando (for a total of three)
- One new daily flight to Tampa​

Key summer schedule highlights, effective June 11, 2012, for LaGuardia:

- One additional daily flight to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (for a total of six)
- One new daily flight to Fort Myers
- Two additional daily flights to Orlando (for a total of four)
- One new daily flight to Sarasota/Bradenton
- Two new daily flights to Tampa
- One additional daily flight to West Palm Beach (for a total of two)​

I love JetBlue, but they didn't have enough Orlando service to/from DC.....previously the flights were either too early or too late in the day to travel with small children. It now looks like they have some mid-morning and mid-day flights that will work for my family.

ETA: It looks like they might be discontinuing Orlando service from Dulles once they starts these new flights....I was looking for some summer trips, and no nonstop flights show up on the schedule, just the DCA flights. There used to be a few a day to/from Dulles.

 

[Marshay]

JetBlue just announced it is adding flights to Orlando from Washington's Reagan National and New York's LaGuardia.

I love JetBlue, but they didn't have enough Orlando service to/from DC.....previously the flights were either too early or too late in the day to travel with small children. It now looks like they have some mid-morning and mid-day flights that will work for my family.

ETA: It looks like they might be discontinuing Orlando service from Dulles once they starts these new flights....I was looking for some summer trips, and no nonstop flights show up on the schedule, just the DCA flights. There used to be a few a day to/from Dulles.

I got caught in this too. Am trying to schedule a flight non-stop from IAD to MCO in July and last week they had tons of flights. When I went to book yesterday they were all gone!

I couldn't believe every flight was gone and actually called JB to inquire but they said they just filled up. Obviously, your info explains what really happened.

I really don't want to go to DCA .. by the time I pay a taxi from where I live by IAD, I might as well just fly on United at IAD. UGH!!

I also checked the Autrotrain and can actually get a roomette cheaper for us than flying United ... but this trip was just going to be a mommy and me trip for 4 days, so doesn't make sense to do the AT.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I really don't want to go to DCA .. by the time I pay a taxi from where I live by IAD, I might as well just fly on United at IAD. UGH!!

Time to ask a friend for a ride!

Aside from how close DCA is to where I live is how much easier it is to get around. We flew out of Dulles last year on a United Express flight and between the garage and the gate, we gad to take more than 12 elevators. With a small ones in strollers Dulles is just a big pain.

Security lines are also a lot smaller at DCA, so you can shave 30 minutes off when you have to get to the airport.

 

[n2mm]

I got caught in this too. Am trying to schedule a flight non-stop from IAD to MCO in July and last week they had tons of flights. When I went to book yesterday they were all gone!

I couldn't believe every flight was gone and actually called JB to inquire but they said they just filled up. Obviously, your info explains what really happened.

I really don't want to go to DCA .. by the time I pay a taxi from where I live by IAD, I might as well just fly on United at IAD. UGH!!

I also checked the Autrotrain and can actually get a roomette cheaper for us than flying United ... but this trip was just going to be a mommy and me trip for 4 days, so doesn't make sense to do the AT.

I hope this is just a glitch too! We fly exclusively Jetblue every couple of months to MCO and would have to give them up if the non-stops end. DCA is not an option for us from Charles Town, WV! This exact thing happened a couple of months ago where there were no non-stops showing up, but then they came back modified, so lets cross our fingers and hope they are just modifying the schedule. I don't want to go back to flying United again. I sent them an email and posted on their FB page. Every flight I've been on out of Dulles has always been full so unless they lost their routes out of Dulles we can only wait and see what happens. Last year we lost our non-stop service with SW, so not ready for this too. BWI is closer to us (1 1/2 hour drive to the airport) than DCA, but I'm not a fan of SW.

 

[Marshay]

Time to ask a friend for a ride!

Aside from how close DCA is to where I live is how much easier it is to get around. We flew out of Dulles last year on a United Express flight and between the garage and the gate, we gad to take more than 12 elevators. With a small ones in strollers Dulles is just a big pain.

Security lines are also a lot smaller at DCA, so you can shave 30 minutes off when you have to get to the airport.

This is good to know, if we end up making DCA our new airport for MCO. I do agree that there are way too many elevators at IAD. Fortunately, my DD will be 7yo so no strollers (and we are leaving the 2yo at home with DH.)

I also saw that AirTran is discontinuing IAD to MCO service in June.

I hope this is just a glitch too! We fly exclusively Jetblue every couple of months to MCO and would have to give them up if the non-stops end. DCA is not an option for us from Charles Town, WV! This exact thing happened a couple of months ago where there were no non-stops showing up, but then they came back modified, so lets cross our fingers and hope they are just modifying the schedule. I don't want to go back to flying United again. I sent them an email and posted on their FB page. Every flight I've been on out of Dulles has always been full so unless they lost their routes out of Dulles we can only wait and see what happens. Last year we lost our non-stop service with SW, so not ready for this too. BWI is closer to us (1 1/2 hour drive to the airport) than DCA, but I'm not a fan of SW.

Oh, this gives me some hope. Maybe the tickets will come back on-line. If so, then I'll just book them right away. I saw the $200 fares for non-stop on JB but didn't know if that was a good price or not. (Last I flew we were getting non-stop for $120-$150).

Then I saw united was $350 - $500+ and was lamenting the $200 flight that was gone. Also, the last I flew we weren't charged for bags So I'd have to add $100 - $135 for our bags!

We used to also fly SW but once they stopped their non-stop service, we stopped them too.

At this point I am booking the Autotrain (since it's fully refundable) and adding one extra day to our trip (but overall it means losing one day at WDW). The advantages of bringing our own car and packing whatever we want will outweigh one less day at WDW. I really hate buses and waiting so I'm hoping that we will save some time by using our own car and that will help make up the lost day (at least that's what I'm telling myself).

And the purpose of the trip is to spend time with my daughter ... so we'll be more together on the train in our own roomette ... those train days are still Mommy and Me days.

If a great summer sale comes along (would love the $49/way that JB had yesterday), then I'll book my flight instead and cancel the AT.

If not, then at least I have the AT at a good price before that increases, too (and am hoping they publish a great summer fare rate, too!)


THANKS for the info! I'd love it if you post any new info you find, particularly at IAD.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I highly urge the both of you to consider DCA. Its benefits might balance out the added distance you'd have to travel to get to it.

First is that security lines are generally much smaller. There are four main gate area, each with its own security. When I've been to Dulles, I've waited too-much time in those enormous new rooms where hundreds of people are corralled and waiting to get through. DCA is just the people going to the flights in your gate area.

Second, the travel time to the gate area is basically zero. No long walks to far-off gates, no shuttle, and no escalators past security. Once you're through security, you're there.

Parking is also much closer....the garages are a very short walk from the terminal and the economy lot is just a minute or two away. And I just looked it up: the economy lot is $2 more a day at DCA, and the daily garages are $3 more a day.

All in, total travel time from your front door to the gate waiting area might actually be the same, since you're saving time at parking, security, and distance to the gate. Now if you need to get to DCA during rush hour....well that's another story. But DCA is on the metro line, so that's an option Dulles dosen't have.

Regarding the IAD-MCO JetBlue flights coming back: I wouldn't bet on it. JetBlue is adding the DCA flights beacuse it won an auction, so they have to pay these off. Add-in that DCA flights are usually a more expensive than comparable flights at IAD or BWI, and JetBlue might be steering people to DCA to recoup the investment. But balancing that out is the fact that US Air has a whole bunch of daily DCA-MCO nonstop slights (at least 4 a day), and Delta sometimes runs some non-stops, and there's the potential to catch good deals on fare wars when one has a sale.

 

[Marshay]

I highly urge the both of you to consider DCA. Its benefits might balance out the added distance you'd have to travel to get to it.

First is that security lines are generally much smaller. There are four main gate area, each with its own security. When I've been to Dulles, I've waited too-much time in those enormous new rooms where hundreds of people are corralled and waiting to get through. DCA is just the people going to the flights in your gate area.

Second, the travel time to the gate area is basically zero. No long walks to far-off gates, no shuttle, and no escalators past security. Once you're through security, you're there.

Parking is also much closer....the garages are a very short walk from the terminal and the economy lot is just a minute or two away. And I just looked it up: the economy lot is $2 more a day at DCA, and the daily garages are $3 more a day.

All in, total travel time from your front door to the gate waiting area might actually be the same, since you're saving time at parking, security, and distance to the gate. Now if you need to get to DCA during rush hour....well that's another story. But DCA is on the metro line, so that's an option Dulles dosen't have.

Regarding the IAD-MCO JetBlue flights coming back: I wouldn't bet on it. JetBlue is adding the DCA flights beacuse it won an auction, so they have to pay these off. Add-in that DCA flights are usually a more expensive than comparable flights at IAD or BWI, and JetBlue might be steering people to DCA to recoup the investment. But balancing that out is the fact that US Air has a whole bunch of daily DCA-MCO nonstop slights (at least 4 a day), and Delta sometimes runs some non-stops, and there's the potential to catch good deals on fare wars when one has a sale.

Thank you for the info on DCA. I do appreciate it. DCA definitely sounds easier to get through than IAD. It seems we always wait a long time to go through security and you walk forever (esp w/stroller) to get to your terminal.

If I can find a great deal at DCA, I would consider it.

And you are right about rush hour ... which means either the 1pmish flight on JB or 3pmish flight on USAir are my best options for DCA.

 

[n2mm]

Sorry, just can't do DCA. I've flown out of Reagan before, but prefer Dulles. We've flown Dulles so many times we are very comfortable there. No way are we driving into the city anymore -- 30 years of that was enough. (Born and raised in Wash. DC & PGC., both retired from the USG now) We never park at Dulles as our SIL works in Leesburg, so he drops us off at the airport and picks us up. We will have to crunch our numbers. We would go to BWI before DCA. Since we have lots of time to travel, I guess we are looking at driving down in the near (very near) future. We have a trip in late April and have yet to buy our airfare, so will try to use up most of our Trueblue points for our spring tickets (I was saving them for our October trip).

 

[GrnMtnMan]

No way are we driving into the city anymore

You do know how to get to DCA on the GW Parkway, right? I would hardly call that driving 'into the city'. From the Beltway/270/Dulles Toll/access road, you can get to DCA entirely on highways/parkways without any traffic lights.

 

[Brer Tron]

So we actually were able to book a direct flight from IAD to MCO a few weeks on Jetblue ago for our trip in June -- but we just checked the status of our flight and they moved us to DCA We live about 45 mins from DCA if there isn't any traffic -- our outbound flight is at 10am, so we will have to get in the car during rush hour, and the return flight is at 6pm on a work night, so we will be sitting in the car for hours! But we used trueblue points, so we have to deal with it for this flight. Just wanted to let you guys know that when we called Jetblue to find out what was going on, they told us that they are no longer going to have direct flights from IAD. She said that they have "discontinued" direct flights from IAD to MCO. So if you see a good deal on another airline from IAD, I'd take it!!

 

[n2mm]

So we actually were able to book a direct flight from IAD to MCO a few weeks on Jetblue ago for our trip in June -- but we just checked the status of our flight and they moved us to DCA We live about 45 mins from DCA if there isn't any traffic -- our outbound flight is at 10am, so we will have to get in the car during rush hour, and the return flight is at 6pm on a work night, so we will be sitting in the car for hours! But we used trueblue points, so we have to deal with it for this flight. Just wanted to let you guys know that when we called Jetblue to find out what was going on, they told us that they are no longer going to have direct flights from IAD. She said that they have "discontinued" direct flights from IAD to MCO. So if you see a good deal on another airline from IAD, I'd take it!!

Thanks for the update! that really stinks, especially for you. Had you known you were flying in and out of DCA you could've at least choosen the weekend to travel. Can you imagine the folks out there who are holding June airfare on JB and all think they are flying out of IAD right now and don't know!

 

[Marshay]

So we actually were able to book a direct flight from IAD to MCO a few weeks on Jetblue ago for our trip in June -- but we just checked the status of our flight and they moved us to DCA We live about 45 mins from DCA if there isn't any traffic -- our outbound flight is at 10am, so we will have to get in the car during rush hour, and the return flight is at 6pm on a work night, so we will be sitting in the car for hours! But we used trueblue points, so we have to deal with it for this flight. Just wanted to let you guys know that when we called Jetblue to find out what was going on, they told us that they are no longer going to have direct flights from IAD. She said that they have "discontinued" direct flights from IAD to MCO. So if you see a good deal on another airline from IAD, I'd take it!!

wow! This actually makes me feel a lot better!! I would not want to fly out of DCA if I originally chose IAD. I was wondering what happened to all the flights that were just there 4 days ago back when I looked.

Now for a great sale, I am willing to try DCA but I want that to be my choice ... and I want to chose my flights so I can avoid AM and PM rush hours.

Sorry your airport has changed!

 

[PlutoPony]

*raises hand* Me too, sorry JB but not doing DCA at all, please give us options out of IAD .

My problem with DCA is traffic and how long we have to allow to get there especially if taking an early a.m. flight, which means rush hour traffic. We're probably 50 minutes straight west of there and during rush hour we'd need to allow a minimum of 2 hours for the drive, and probably more like 2.5. One of my son's doctor's is 30 minutes in on the same route, and for an 8 a.m. appt. we need to leave home 6:30-6:45 a.m.. So I would (and will) absolutely pay more and go out of Dulles.

Guess our UAL miles may come in handy again

 

[Twingle]

Just a FYI, I called JetBlue today about this very matter. The CSR tried to be very helpful about the schedule, but was confused about how the distance from Dulles to Regan while only 28 miles, did not equal 30 additional minutes driving time. Right now, it would be closer for us to drive to Richmond than Regan, but there is only one direct flight out of Richmond each day, and it's usually an evening flight.

She did suggest calling and voiceing any concerns about the schedule changes, she said that they were trying this out to see how it worked, and that they always appreciate customer feedback.

 

[Marshay]

Just a FYI, I called JetBlue today about this very matter. The CSR tried to be very helpful about the schedule, but was confused about how the distance from Dulles to Regan while only 28 miles, did not equal 30 additional minutes driving time. Right now, it would be closer for us to drive to Richmond than Regan, but there is only one direct flight out of Richmond each day, and it's usually an evening flight.

She did suggest calling and voiceing any concerns about the schedule changes, she said that they were trying this out to see how it worked, and that they always appreciate customer feedback.

1st -- Hey Twingle!!

2nd -- Yes, I did email Jet blue and told them I am disappointed in their lack of nonstop flight....got the generic, sorry we couldn't help you email....but hopefully if enough people complain, they could bring it back!

Right now I have Amtrak Autotrain booked...fully refundable...and also planning to go to Sea World and Discovery Cove now, since we'll have the car with us!! However, if a great airline price comes along at IAD or super-great from DCA, I'd consider changing.

 

[PlutoPony]

We normally do pretty well price wise with United flights out of Dulles. Have to spend more time watching them and be ready to pull the trigger when you see what you want, but they've been competitive for us and not just to MCO. That said, no tv, no free luggage are the downsides. But I can absolutely live with that to avoid driving to National.

 

[n2mm]

We normally do pretty well price wise with United flights out of Dulles. Have to spend more time watching them and be ready to pull the trigger when you see what you want, but they've been competitive for us and not just to MCO. That said, no tv, no free luggage are the downsides. But I can absolutely live with that to avoid driving to National.

Yep, pretty well put! We flew United for years before Jetblue. One of the other issues we've had with United is the business flyers. Sometimes we feel like the only ones there going on vacation. Plus since you have to pay for luggage, the overhead issues are (were) really bad on United. And, of course, the flight attendents don't enforce the hogging of the overhead bins, especially in the winter when so many folks start shoving their winter coats in the overhead bins before folks can use them. (sorry, just a little pet peeve). I have gone into my United FF account and updated it and turned on the email announcements to start getting mail from them again and a little updating of my profile. It looks like that is where we are heading for our October trip.

 

[Marshay]

We normally do pretty well price wise with United flights out of Dulles. Have to spend more time watching them and be ready to pull the trigger when you see what you want, but they've been competitive for us and not just to MCO. That said, no tv, no free luggage are the downsides. But I can absolutely live with that to avoid driving to National.

Yep, pretty well put! We flew United for years before Jetblue. One of the other issues we've had with United is the business flyers. Sometimes we feel like the only ones there going on vacation. Plus since you have to pay for luggage, the overhead issues are (were) really bad on United. And, of course, the flight attendents don't enforce the hogging of the overhead bins, especially in the winter when so many folks start shoving their winter coats in the overhead bins before folks can use them. (sorry, just a little pet peeve). I have gone into my United FF account and updated it and turned on the email announcements to start getting mail from them again and a little updating of my profile. It looks like that is where we are heading for our October trip.

What is a competitive price for IAD to MCO on United? Right now the flights I am considering are $350-400+ and that is ridiculous to me, esp when I may need to add another $100 for luggage.

Thanks!!

 

[n2mm]

What is a competitive price for IAD to MCO on United? Right now the flights I am considering are $350-400+ and that is ridiculous to me, esp when I may need to add another $100 for luggage.

Thanks!!

Wow, that is high. I've been watching for April 20th from IAD to MCO (I only do one-way flights and mix and match sometimes). United was $91 + $25 for bag = $116, while Jetblue was $148....both similar times. I didn't buy the United flight as we are flexible and now looking to go a day earlier at $118 on Jetblue. So for us, it would have to be at least $125 per person one way that we could live with (including bag). Nowhere near the great prices we are use to, so will pay more to fly out of Dulles on our trips down to Orlando. My DH said he will not drive into DCA, but we are thinking of coming home DCA if we book our return home flights on a Saturday. We are National rental car Executive members so we get several free 1 day rentals a year, so could use one of those to pick up a car and either drive ourselves home or to Dulles to meet our SIL. We are trying to think "outside" the box.

 

[Marshay]

Wow, that is high. I've been watching for April 20th from IAD to MCO (I only do one-way flights and mix and match sometimes). United was $91 + $25 for bag = $116, while Jetblue was $148....both similar times. I didn't buy the United flight as we are flexible and now looking to go a day earlier at $118 on Jetblue. So for us, it would have to be at least $125 per person one way that we could live with (including bag). Nowhere near the great prices we are use to, so will pay more to fly out of Dulles on our trips down to Orlando. My DH said he will not drive into DCA, but we are thinking of coming home DCA if we book our return home flights on a Saturday. We are National rental car Executive members so we get several free 1 day rentals a year, so could use one of those to pick up a car and either drive ourselves home or to Dulles to meet our SIL. We are trying to think "outside" the box.

yeah, we are going in summer and only for the weekend if we fly -- so the two most expensive times to fly! Waiting for the summers fares to be announced!