Looking for alternatives to Albany, NY airport

[chabs]

I usually fly SW from Albany to Orlando, but there are 4 of us and we are looking to fly a little cheaper than the typical $1200 for late Aug/early Sept. We saw that we could save about $350 for taking Jet Blue out of Westchester but I want to make sure that it's worth our while to drive there-such as traffic, parking costs, airport hassels-that type of thing. Does anyone have any input on where else they like to fly from and why?

 

[doublea211]

JetBlue also flies direct to MCO out of Newburgh at Stewart Airport. It's closer to Albany than Westchester and very convenient to the Thruway. It's a small airport and very easy to navigate. We've often been able to get flights at $79-$90. We've flown from there since JetBlue came in, and I don't think we've ever paid much over $100 a flight.

 

[gibsontrio]

I second Newburgh! I flew out of there 3 yrs ago on Jet Blue , small airport, Cheap flights and only about a 45-60 min drive from Albany!

 

[Detailor]

Parking costs are much less expensive at Stewart than at the Westchester County Airport. At Stewart it's a maximum of $60/week in the long-term parking lot while it's a maximum of $26.40/day at Westchester with no discount for extended parking stays.

Dick Taylor

 

[chabs]

I guess I am pretty much stuck going out of Albany then. Newburg is more expensive than SW for the dates that I want to travel and the airport parking at Westchester pretty much kills the deal for 10 days worth of parking.

 

[doublea211]

You may also want to try Hartford. JetBlue and Southwest fly out of there. I've never used that airport, but, it's only about 2 hours from Albany. I know a few people who have flown from there and they say it's great.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

you could always hop onboard the train

 

[gibsontrio]

how far are you willing to drive?? Lehigh Valley Pa has cheap flights to Fl.

 

[chabs]

A couple of hours or so. I could never take the train-I don't have that kind of patience! Hartford and Syracuse are about the same as the SW rates so I guess I will just bite the bullet and pay to fly out of Albany.

 

[ccudmore]

Allegiant flies out of Plattsburgh, about a 2 hour drive from you. Very cheap seats (sometimes), free parking at the airport. The terminal is new and very small so there's never a hassle there.

 

[Alexander]

Late August/Early Sept. flights should come down considerably if you are willing to wait. We also always fly during that time period, and if I wait until just as summer begins, I can usually get a great deal on the way down and an okay deal on the way back (if it is close to Labor Day, flights tend to be more). We fly either from Syracuse or Rochester.

I can't believe you pay $300/person to fly during that time of the year. We have never paid more than $200, and it is usually more like $160-$180.

 

[kellydizfan]

I am looking for 8/23-8/30. I am looking at Albany, Newburgh, Westchester, Hartford, Newark, possibly Philly & NYC. I am going to look at Alligiant Air out of Plattsburgh. My DH is not going so he could take and pick us up. I could cry I didn't book Westchester for my dates on Jet Blue due to I didn't like the times but it was just over $900 for 5 of us lowest I would have ever paid. I refuse to pay more than $200 rt. I am going to sit tight and keep my eyes on them for the time being. Blood Pressure is going up as I just want that part done. It is the last I have to do as we will be doing quick service and not having any sit down meals - well maybe one or two but no more - this is a budget trip this year with the free dining.

 

[bwo]

Try BDL Airport--Hartford/Springfield. Flying with my family of five to MCO nonstop, great times, on Delta this summer for $900 total. Great little airport and we always use Executive Valet Parking--about 2 miles from the airport, costs about $40.00/week to leave car. Good luck..

 

[chabs]

Late August/Early Sept. flights should come down considerably if you are willing to wait. We also always fly during that time period, and if I wait until just as summer begins, I can usually get a great deal on the way down and an okay deal on the way back (if it is close to Labor Day, flights tend to be more). We fly either from Syracuse or Rochester.

I can't believe you pay $300/person to fly during that time of the year. We have never paid more than $200, and it is usually more like $160-$180.

I have to fly on certain dates and times, so I always book the day the flights come out and then get a credit when the flight goes down. At $129 each way-plus a bunch of taxes totals just about $300 each. I think I got maybe about $125 back with Ding fairs or price changes, which was fine because I could give it to my mother to use. Now, we can't transfer the credits anymore so I lose even if the price goes down because we only fly once a year. I can't believe I have to pay that either but that's how it is, especially if you are coming back Labor Day weekend and your dates are not flexible. Once upon a time (a time that I'm sure we will never see again), all 4 of us could fly out of Albany for $450 round trip. Those were the days!

 

[SKG123]

We are flying out of Bradley BDL to MCO in 2 weeks. Delta and Southwest were the same price. $178.00 including tax round trip. we chose Delta because it was a earlier flight. I also think that Jet Blue prices were about the same. Good Luck

 

[rdevine10]

FYI there is a laquinta in armonk,ny near white plains that does a park and fly package, as well as long term parking. HTH!

 

[DMRick]

I think I would wait until SW actually comes out with their fees for those days. I usually get up at the crack fo dawn and hit it at about 7 (sometimes they are later) and make sure I get the cheaper fares. SW is usually the least expensive from our area (Albany). Once in a while, when they list their flights, Jet Blue will come down, but not usually enough to make the trip (although it's closer for you).

 

[chabs]

That's what I think I'm going to do. We could save about $400 if we flew Delta out of Hartford, but we don't travel light to say the least so by the time we paid for extra bags, it woudn't be worth our while. We will probably end up booking SW the day that it comes out because I've found that the rates will only go up for Labor Day weekend and the times we want will sell out. I do this every year but then end up just coughing up my $1200 bucks!

 

[lakohls]

We are planning our trip for 11/5-12 and already have our Disney reservation. Now I'm watching for flights, which for JetBlue, SW, & Allegiant are not yet posted.

Seems like some of the previous posters are also from the Albany area - any thoughts on when those airfares will come out? Or what should I expect for that timeframe once they do? Sounds like maybe SW out of Albany will be cheapest the 1st day or 2 they post?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[chabs]

Who knows what the pricing will be with the cost of gas these days, but it will be worth your while to check Hartford. I ended up getting SW tickets out of Hartford for August for $79 when they wanted $134 out of Albany. It's not a busy time for travel so I don't think that you will have to jump to buy tickets. I think the big factor will be which waythe gas prices are going.