Jetblue and Southwest from Buffalo

[maryann4086]

Yesterday i booked jetblue from buf to mco, non stop on October 23, price was 145 per person. Thought it was a bit high but what can you do. Checked today on Southwest, same price but it doesn't arrive in Orlando until after 3:30 in the afternoon. Phew, Jetblue is definitely the better option(for us). My question is, I noticed both Jetblue and Southwest, only offer one non stop flight per day now. What happened to the numerous choices? We return on Oct 29th, Jetblue isn't available yet, but I don't like the Southwest option. I am afraid it is going to mean losing much of the last day or having to do a connecting flight. Why so few options now?

 

[dancin Disney style]

My guess is that it's the economy. Things are still slow and in order to keep fares close to what SW customers are used to they need to cut flights.


I think fares are higher this year all across the board and at some point we were going to see an increase....well, here it is. Really stinks for me, I have to travel the first week of July this year(not by choice). I don't hold a lot of hope for a sale for that period.

 

[vacationclub]

Jetblue usually had just one non-stop from BUF to MCO, but SW usually had 2 or 3. It appears that SW is lowering the number of non-stops from BUF to MCO after August 1st or so, but Airtran is increasing their non-stops after August 1st.

I think this is just part of the eventual combination of schedules between the 2 airlines. While you don't see as many non-stops to MCO after Aug 1st on SW, they've made up for it on AT.

Airtran has a 8:45am non-stop on the day you want to fly for $145, about the same as Jetblue plus $20 if you check luggage.

 

[webworm]

My guess is that it's the economy. Things are still slow and in order to keep fares close to what SW customers are used to they need to cut flights.


I think fares are higher this year all across the board and at some point we were going to see an increase....well, here it is. Really stinks for me, I have to travel the first week of July this year(not by choice). I don't hold a lot of hope for a sale for that period.

You might want to check Allegiant and DirectAir from Niagara Falls as well.

 

[focusondisney]

Jetblue usually had just one non-stop from BUF to MCO, but SW usually had 2 or 3. It appears that SW is lowering the number of non-stops from BUF to MCO after August 1st or so, but Airtran is increasing their non-stops after August 1st.

I think this is just part of the eventual combination of schedules between the 2 airlines. While you don't see as many non-stops to MCO after Aug 1st on SW, they've made up for it on AT.

Airtran has a 8:45am non-stop on the day you want to fly for $145, about the same as Jetblue plus $20 if you check luggage.

The OP has already purchased airfare to Orlando, paid $145 with no charge for 1st bag on Jetblue. She is now looking for her return flights.


OP, I have been vacationing in WDW for about 20 years, flying from Buffalo. The airfares this year are the highest I have seen them since SW & JB started flying from Buffalo years ago. And it seems everytime SW or JB releases a new set of dates, they change up the flight times, too. I think it is anybody's guess what JB will do in Oct. I am flying JB in May, taking the later of the 2 daily direct flights. When I check seat assignments now, there are only about 24 seats sold, less than 3 months away. So I'm not surprized they have cut down on the no. of direct flights. I hope they don't cancel that flight before my vacation. Good luck with your planning!

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

We live in Niagara as well and are going down for the same dates as you. I was very disappointed with the schedule and prices that came out today. I know that we will be playing the waiting game to see if they do some sort of seat sale. I can't imagine acutally paying those prices..especially for an in direct flight. Good luck with your return flight, I hope you are able to get a deal!

 

[vacationclub]

The OP has already purchased airfare to Orlando, paid $145 with no charge for 1st bag on Jetblue. She is now looking for her return flights.

Yep, got that. I was responding to the first part of the post with what AT is doing and how it relates to SW having less flights. AT seems to be filling the gap, with prices similar to JB. I pointed out AT (even though she's already booked outbound) to let her know where the SW flights went to.

 

[maryann4086]

Thanks everyone. We are also heading down in May from the 5th to 11th, we booked Southwest, because the flight times worked best for us. In fact we don't leave the last night until 8:30 pm which gives us the whole day to enjoy in WDW.

Those options don't seem to be available any longer for October. We travel usually once or twice a year to Disney, and this is the first time the non stop choices have been so limited. Oh well, one way or the other we will get home, just hate losing the whole last day for an early flight.

Happy Disney Vacations to all!!! Thanks again