JetBlue adding Flights to MCO from DCA and LGA

[n2mm]

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!

Oh yes, I remember those summer fares last year. I didn't think they would ever get any better. We were so miserable last August that we all swore off a summer visit in the future. (We've done that before.) So I took my August week and added it to my late April/early May trip and made it 3 weeks instead. I guess that way I'm saving a ton on airfare by not flying that extra trip. I use Yapta alot to track flights I'm watching. Sometimes it catches them, but often I catch them first. It is crazy...because you expect this type of stuff at small airports, but not at major international airports.

 

[rwdavis2]

I'll be curious as to how long the DCA to MCO fares hold. September Southwest fares from BWI to MCO are around $300/seat and the Jet Blue fares in October (yes, not quite apples to apples) are $200/seat. A $200 savings for the 2 of us it's worth the extra 30 minutes in the car to DCA.

I'm hoping they stay that low when Jet Blue's November schedule comes out.
BD

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I'll be curious as to how long the DCA to MCO fares hold. September Southwest fares from BWI to MCO are around $300/seat and the Jet Blue fares in October (yes, not quite apples to apples) are $200/seat. A $200 savings for the 2 of us it's worth the extra 30 minutes in the car to DCA.

I'm hoping they stay that low when Jet Blue's November schedule comes out.
BD

FWIW: Before JetBlue, a good RT fare (at non-holiday times) for DCA - MCO was around $225 on US Air, plus bag fees. With sales, you could sometimes get it in the $180 neighborhood. I bought tickets for my October trip last night on JetBlue (DCA) and paid $183.60, which is the cheapest I've had in 5+ years since it includes a checked bag. I have family in Orlando and go to the Universal parks once a year, aside from WDW trips, so it's a trip I do a few times a year.

Several times in the past few years I was able to get a good fare for one leg on US Air, and took Jet Blue for the other to or from Dulles.

 

[rwdavis2]

FWIW: Before JetBlue, a good RT fare (at non-holiday times) for DCA - MCO was around $225 on US Air, plus bag fees. With sales, you could sometimes get it in the $180 neighborhood. I bought tickets for my October trip last night on JetBlue (DCA) and paid $183.60, which is the cheapest I've had in 5+ years since it includes a checked bag. I have family in Orlando and go to the Universal parks once a year, aside from WDW trips, so it's a trip I do a few times a year.

Several times in the past few years I was able to get a good fare for one leg on US Air, and took Jet Blue for the other to or from Dulles.

Sounds like I should be hopeful for less expensice fares then. We live in Columbia so splitting airports is not an option.

It's really disappointing that Southwest has become one of the most expensive airlines to fly these days. I can usually get a better fare on almost any airline.
BD

 

[Marshay]

Oh yes, I remember those summer fares last year. I didn't think they would ever get any better. We were so miserable last August that we all swore off a summer visit in the future. (We've done that before.) So I took my August week and added it to my late April/early May trip and made it 3 weeks instead. I guess that way I'm saving a ton on airfare by not flying that extra trip. I use Yapta alot to track flights I'm watching. Sometimes it catches them, but often I catch them first. It is crazy...because you expect this type of stuff at small airports, but not at major international airports.

good for you!! 3 weeks in spring sounds heavenly!!

FWIW: Before JetBlue, a good RT fare (at non-holiday times) for DCA - MCO was around $225 on US Air, plus bag fees. With sales, you could sometimes get it in the $180 neighborhood. I bought tickets for my October trip last night on JetBlue (DCA) and paid $183.60, which is the cheapest I've had in 5+ years since it includes a checked bag. I have family in Orlando and go to the Universal parks once a year, aside from WDW trips, so it's a trip I do a few times a year.

Several times in the past few years I was able to get a good fare for one leg on US Air, and took Jet Blue for the other to or from Dulles.

Oooh, less than $200 would be awesome!!

And yes, I should look at two different one-way fares...hadn't really thought of that before.

Sounds like I should be hopeful for less expensice fares then. We live in Columbia so splitting airports is not an option.

It's really disappointing that Southwest has become one of the most expensive airlines to fly these days. I can usually get a better fare on almost any airline.
BD

Oh, that's interesting...when I did travel on SW 4 years ago, they were the cheapest airline!

 

[n2mm]

Sounds like I should be hopeful for less expensice fares then. We live in Columbia so splitting airports is not an option.

It's really disappointing that Southwest has become one of the most expensive airlines to fly these days. I can usually get a better fare on almost any airline.
BD

I agree about SW out of BWI. We too took advantage of some of those great prices back in the day, but now I rarely look at the prices. I've even removed myself from there email listings and cancelled my "ding". We flew them a few years ago on one of those $49 each way fares for a nice long weekend to WDW. I flew SW out of Dulles a few times before the nonstops were discontinued. We often would fly down on SW and home on United, but that was because of the resort checkin perk did not include SW once upon a time.

 

[rwdavis2]

Oh, that's interesting...when I did travel on SW 4 years ago, they were the cheapest airline!

I guess it depends on where one flies. For us it's either Orlando or somewhere on the west coast. Although their non-stop to Seattle is pretty good. But to SFO area or LAX, Virgin or United are better bets from the MD/DC/VA.

 

[PlutoPony]

I got a group fare on UAL for IAD - MCO for last Columbus Day weekend at $220 for 27 seats for good flight times. Bought in July and by end of August the flights were totally sold out. Jet Blue group rate was well over $300 from IAD, and JB and AT were about the same out of National. Cheapest individual fare for the flights were in the $180 RT at the time I booked, so I thought I did pretty well for that many seats. In the past I would consider ~$200 give or take to be good but I haven't looked lately. Probably running mid 200+ now. These prices are all RT

SW out of BWI has to be really good to get us to make that trek and avoid rush hour both ways, so hadn't done that for years..... until last summer. Couldn't pass up $49 each way BWI to Manchester NH for a trip to Maine. Only problem was the 7am departure which means leaving by 3:30. Got to the terminal a little past 5:30 and had to check bags, fortunately lines were short so time to spare. But getting up that early really ruined the first day for us, we were totally wiped out. Same flight time out of Dulles would have had us out the door about 5, how much is that extra 90 minutes of sleep worth?

 

[missymouse]

Add me to one of those who booked June flights on JetBlue from IAD to MCO who got switched to Reagan. DCA does not work for us because it is more difficult to get there and we would have to pay parking. We get free parking at IAD .

They called us and left a message about a change to our flight arrangements so when I called them back she said the time had been adjusted and we would be leaving and arriving about 30 min. sooner then just mentioned in passing that the flight was going out of DCA. I freaked, but she did put us on a flight connecting through Boston that will leave IAD 2 hours earlier and get us there two hours later than originally planned. You would think they would at least have the connecting flights between IAD and MCO at least be south instead of flying 1.5 hrs. north to fly what would have been 2 hrs. south but is now 3 hrs. So instead of taking 2 hrs. to get from point A to point b it will take 6 hrs.

 

[Marshay]

Add me to one of those who booked June flights on JetBlue from IAD to MCO who got switched to Reagan. DCA does not work for us because it is more difficult to get there and we would have to pay parking. We get free parking at IAD .

They called us and left a message about a change to our flight arrangements so when I called them back she said the time had been adjusted and we would be leaving and arriving about 30 min. sooner then just mentioned in passing that the flight was going out of DCA. I freaked, but she did put us on a flight connecting through Boston that will leave IAD 2 hours earlier and get us there two hours later than originally planned. You would think they would at least have the connecting flights between IAD and MCO at least be south instead of flying 1.5 hrs. north to fly what would have been 2 hrs. south but is now 3 hrs. So instead of taking 2 hrs. to get from point A to point b it will take 6 hrs.

Wow! I definitely would not be taking that flight. 6 hours for a 2hr flight. I'd be asking for my money back.

 

[missymouse]

I would except we used reward points that are non-refundable and it is difficult to find any low airfare that flies non-stop from Dulles to MCO so it would cost us more to change things than to just spend the 6 hrs. in transit. At least they didn't charge us for the switch. I ended up on the two flights that are the most expensive ones now on the website for our dates of travel. I would rather spend my $$$ in disney than for airfare. We are still better off, 3 years ago the only flight I could get on any airline that we could use our reward points for left us with a 4.5 hr layover in New York. Not enough time to do anything else, but toooooo long to sit at an airport.

 

[n2mm]

I would except we used reward points that are non-refundable and it is difficult to find any low airfare that flies non-stop from Dulles to MCO so it would cost us more to change things than to just spend the 6 hrs. in transit. At least they didn't charge us for the switch. I ended up on the two flights that are the most expensive ones now on the website for our dates of travel. I would rather spend my $$$ in disney than for airfare. We are still better off, 3 years ago the only flight I could get on any airline that we could use our reward points for left us with a 4.5 hr layover in New York. Not enough time to do anything else, but toooooo long to sit at an airport.

Wow. Thanks for sharing. It's funny how they think changing your airport is just an OK thing to do. They don't have a clue of the logistics do they? BTW....Jetblue will let you change your flight to another flight even if it's more expensive, if they change your flight time. I've done it plenty of times when the times get changed and no longer fit our schedule. There is never a fee involved. But you pretty much have to keep up with it yourself and make sure you know what you want to do when you call. That stinks that you have to fly North to go South. We are looking at flying in October on United, but might fly home to DCA since it's a Saturday. We still have credits and Trueblue points to use. Living in WV, Dulles is 1 hour away. Or we could drive 270 to Shady Grove subway....which is an hour drive. Then take the Red Line and switch at Metro Center and take the Blue Line to National....now doesn't that sound like fun with luggage in tow! Not! I did write Jetblue and they did finally answer me that they could not make any profit at Dulles.....even though the flights were always full.....crazy. Now there is only one non-stop out of Dulles to Orlando---United! And we all know what will happen when the competition is gone don't we! I see new meaning in "up, up, and away".

 

[Marshay]

I would except we used reward points that are non-refundable and it is difficult to find any low airfare that flies non-stop from Dulles to MCO so it would cost us more to change things than to just spend the 6 hrs. in transit. At least they didn't charge us for the switch. I ended up on the two flights that are the most expensive ones now on the website for our dates of travel. I would rather spend my $$$ in disney than for airfare. We are still better off, 3 years ago the only flight I could get on any airline that we could use our reward points for left us with a 4.5 hr layover in New York. Not enough time to do anything else, but toooooo long to sit at an airport.

Oh, now that double stinks! I hate waiting in airports...such a waste of time.

Hope it all turns out good for you!

Wow. Thanks for sharing. It's funny how they think changing your airport is just an OK thing to do. They don't have a clue of the logistics do they? BTW....Jetblue will let you change your flight to another flight even if it's more expensive, if they change your flight time. I've done it plenty of times when the times get changed and no longer fit our schedule. There is never a fee involved. But you pretty much have to keep up with it yourself and make sure you know what you want to do when you call. That stinks that you have to fly North to go South. We are looking at flying in October on United, but might fly home to DCA since it's a Saturday. We still have credits and Trueblue points to use. Living in WV, Dulles is 1 hour away. Or we could drive 270 to Shady Grove subway....which is an hour drive. Then take the Red Line and switch at Metro Center and take the Blue Line to National....now doesn't that sound like fun with luggage in tow! Not! I did write Jetblue and they did finally answer me that they could not make any profit at Dulles.....even though the flights were always full.....crazy. Now there is only one non-stop out of Dulles to Orlando---United! And we all know what will happen when the competition is gone don't we! I see new meaning in "up, up, and away".

Yeah, that would be crazy waiting for all the metro trains just to get to DCA...taxi from the metro parking lot would probably be better, paying more for the convenience.

Well, if United's price is higher to account for their profit, then I guess JB wasn't making money with their cheaper prices at IAD. Too bad for us!

I know...I'm not expecting any specials from United now at all ... esp with rising gas prices!! And since we are going to SW/DC now for 3 days, I will definitely need a rental car if I fly to go there and to get to WDW, too.

So my new "fly price" is $150/pp including 1 luggage each (but personally I think we'll need 3 total to account for souvies). Anything more than that and it's actually cheaper/same for me to take the Autotrain (thankfully, I'm able to add 2 more days to our vaca to account for the train.)

I'll keep waiting for a super-duper special but I doubt I'll find it in peak summer season for the times that I want. But I'm ok with that. We enjoy the train.