JetBlue or Southwest for Dec. from MA/RI

[NEV2OLD4DIS]

We have been loyal fans of Southwest for our summer flights for many years, but we are taking our 1st XMas trip to WDW this year. I am debating whether to book JetBlue when fares are released and if what I would consider reasonable, or to book with Southwest. I think SW fares are released in May, and JetBlue possibly anytime. SW is so easy to get credit/change flights with but can't compare it to JB as I have never flown with them. Has anyone had experience booking a trip starting around 12/19 for this time of year and knows which airline is usually more reasonable?

We can fly out of PVD (SW only) or BDL which are both about 1 1/4 hrs. away. Boston at 1 hr away costs $$$$ to leave our car while gone, and Worcester at 15 min. away has too many weather related issues at this time of year to want to give it a shot .

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

One thing to think about when flying in Dec. If there happens to be a weather delay, Jet Blue has a smaller fleet of planes. So the likely hood of getting to your destination in a timely manner could be hindered. Where as if you are on SWA they have a lot more planes and fly to a lot more destinations and could reroute you easier than JB.

 

[francie57]

We fly out of BDL each trip. We have used JetBlue in the past but will be going SW both ways this time since the JetBlue times have changed and are not great. There is no early morning nonstop to MCO and no night nonstop back. They did have a late return and we were booked on that for Aug. but then they changed the time to 6 hours earlier. Because the change was so big they gave us a full refund. If you book JetBlue they do charge if you need to make a change. As of May 2013 it was $75/person before 60 days. Within 60 days it is $75 for fares under $100, $100 for fares $100-$149, and $150 for fares over $150.

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

I always fly SW. There are so many more flights available than JetBlue's 2, which are at terrible times.

 

[Denise W]

Jet Blue now flies out of PVD and has 2 non stop flights to MCO a day. I am waiting for them to open flights for December as well as we have a DCL cruise booked over New Years. So check out Jet Blue as well as SW from PVD.

Denise

 

[goofy4tink]

PVD has a very good track record during less than terrific weather. It's close to the coast, so weather is a bit less severe. I flew out of Worcester (sort of) last Dec. had to be bused to, and from, Boston. It's so close to me, but until they get the new system in place, I will fly out of PVD or BOS. PVD is a nice airport, and parking costs are less than at Logan.
I fly JetBlue for the most part, from both Logan and PVD.

 

[NEV2OLD4DIS]

I didn't realize JetBlue few out of PVD. I forgot that I looked up JB out of BDL and did notice the lousy flight times. Thank you for mentioning that, and also the thought of JB having fewer planes available. Just so frustrating knowing that a nice airline flies to an airport so close, yet fog and weather issues have such a major impact in Worc., but hopefully that will be worked out when the new technology is put into place at some point in the future. Also, we do like the early morning flights out and late flights home, and SW has always had these available either at BDL or PVD. I will just watch JetBlue take off over my house for now!

 

[disneyag]

We love SWA and fly them frequently. However, if the price and schedule are comparable, I'd pick JetBlue--only for the assigned seating.

 

[NEV2OLD4DIS]

Assigned seating would definitely be welcomed! EBC with SW just adds more $, but I have purchased it on flights when I felt necessary. Should JB's next schedule release go through the end of December?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If prices were similar, or even if JetBlue's were a little more, I would go with JetBlue. Assigned seating and in seat entertainment are a major plus over Southwest.

 

[NEV2OLD4DIS]

One thing I didn't consider with JB are the change fees if we need to change our dates or cancel for some reason. SW has been the only airline we've used for so long that I never thought of this until someone asked about JB in another thread. My DS flew JB last year and loved it though.

 

[gris gris]

We live between both airports! I prefer PVD - there have been times when I've gotten from baggage claim to my car in 10 minutes! But, if we fly out of BDL we get free parking (family lives nearby).

The last time we went to MCO we flew down on Southwest from PVD and back on Jet Blue to BDL. I prefer SWA just because it is what I'm used to. Kids liked JB because of the TV. I'm patiently waiting for SWA to release their November flights - is it May 19th yet? !!

 

[NEV2OLD4DIS]

3 more days until the new booking window opens! I really thought that I saw a flight leaving MCO to PVD around 8-9 pm on Mondays back when searching a couple of months ago, but now I am not seeing any when looking at the last few weeks of October. I am hoping to book for Dec, but was just using other months to try to get insight on flight times. Jetblue has a later flight, but it's more $$ than I am hoping to pay. Does anyone know if flights have been reduced out of PVD using Sw?

 

[sonofanarchy]

They both have pros and cons.

Southwest pros:
-You can change your flight with no fees.
-Usually more flights to choose from.

Cons:
-Unassigned seating is a pain.
-I've never flown an airline that was late as much as SW.

JetBlue pros:
-Assigned seating.
-TV's on plane.

Cons:
-Changing flight isn't free.