May 2020 airfares

[pfeifer1990]

It's been a while since we've flown. Planning our first return trip to WDW May 2020 (flying out of Milwaukee, WI probably unless we can get similar prices out of Appleton, WI or Green Bay) in 20 years. When do airline fares for May 2020 start appearing?
Thanks in advance!

 

[pixiedustedme]

It's been a while since we've flown. Planning our first return trip to WDW May 2020 (flying out of Milwaukee, WI probably unless we can get similar prices out of Appleton, WI or Green Bay) in 20 years. When do airline fares for May 2020 start appearing?
Thanks in advance!

For which airline? Fares are already out for the legacy airlines (American, United, Delta) through mid-May, as they tend to release fares 330 days in advance.

 

[kaytieeldr]

While low cost airlines release fates much closer to flight date. Southwest an JetBlue typically post an alert on their respective sites, letting you know when the next fare release will be.

 

[sponica]

Just so you're aware, even though the legacy airlines post airfares, booking this far out does increase the chance of a schedule change.

 

[Wild4Walt]

sponica is correct - legacy airlines typically change their flight times every quarter. If your booking DME, then I'd wait to put in my flight numbers and time until about 3 months prior.

Also, unless the site has a fabulous deal now or you're going during a peak period, I'd wait to book airfare. Typically, airfare is at it's lowest price 10-12 weeks prior. I check the airfare early and often but usually book about 10 weeks out.

 

[gharter]

sponica is correct - legacy airlines typically change their flight times every quarter. If your booking DME, then I'd wait to put in my flight numbers and time until about 3 months prior.

Also, unless the site has a fabulous deal now or you're going during a peak period, I'd wait to book airfare. Typically, airfare is at it's lowest price 10-12 weeks prior. I check the airfare early and often but usually book about 10 weeks out.

I would agree with waiting 10-12 weeks out if you are flying out of a large airport with multiple options.
We fly out of a smaller airport with 2 flights per day, 1 in the morning and 1 at night. With limited seating and flights, We don't have the luxury of waiting that long. And the less expensive seats go early.

 

[sethschroeder]

If you are flying out of Milwaukee you are going to want to fly Southwest honestly. Pricing most likely will be less (other than maybe Frontier which has issues with delays and only a couple flights weekly), you have a whole terminal only for Southwest (although security is typically pretty good regardless of terminal/airline), and Southwest has a ton of flights out of MKE so if for some reason there is issues they can easily get a new plane for the flight.

Pricing can change but with a touch of flexibility (move up or back 1 or 2 days) I would budget roughly $250-$300. If you are set on specific dates then $400 is likely the worst.

I would also subscribe to the Southwest news letter as they will send out discount specials at times. As an example got a $99/pp ticket for our September trip and a $155/pp ticket for our following Tuesday return. You can grab this pricing even after you are booked by calling (I think you can do it online as well but I always call).

 

[pfeifer1990]

Thanks for the replies. We aren't flexible on our dates. Probably, will fly Southwest out of Milwaukee unless Delta, United or American Airlines out of Green Bay/Appleton prices are comparable to SW. So WE will have to be patient and wait (it's mostly a scheduling thing and pricing, of course.)

 

[mom2mikel]

For May 2019, SW released it's fares in November 2018. I'm assuming it'll be similar timing this year!