New Orleans to MCO - which airline?

[PrincessGrandma]

Last time I flew was 35 years ago so have NO experience with today's market. We (mother, daughter, granddaughter) will fly from either Baton Rouge or New Orleans on Tuesday, Sep 12, and return on Wed, Sep 18. Any advice on how to get the best deal? I'm also not familiar with internet searches for best rates but I did go to SWA and Sept isn't available yet but I checked August for same days. Their lowest rate (maybe "fun") was about $650 for the 3 of us. It also said Non-refundable. Then, I looked on Expedia and they gave a roundtrip NS for Delta at $634. Such a small difference in price doesn't matter. From what I've read here, SWA doesn't assign seats ahead of time...I don't like the way that sounds! So, I would think that would make Delta better. (agree???)

I would prefer Baton Rouge but appears to be very few NS flights.

I definitely want NS. I definitely want to sit with my family. I don't care about refunds as long as I can re-book without paying a lot more if I need to cancel. (I did buy the Disney travel insurance but I don't know if that includes flights.) It would be nice to check the bags and get our boarding passes as our hotel (POP).

Sorry this is so long but it's complicated...at least to me. I definitely need to get out more!!

 

[Pocahantas]

We are from Lafayette and fly from New Orleans several times a year to Orlando. Southwest is our preferred airline. Their prices and flight schedules are the best in my opinion but it does take a bit of time to get the best deals. I am pretty much always on my computer during the day so that makes watching their website easy. I book our flights the minute the schedules are released because the flights we like do tend to fill up quickly and the lowest prices don't last long. Download DING since that is the best way to get the best deals. We don't mind that Southwest does not assign seats. I always make sure to do online check in right at 24 hours prior to flight time and we have always gotten A boarding passes. We also make sure we get to the airport early and are usually some of the first people in the A line. What I love about Southwest (other than their prices) is that their flight schedules rarely change once they are announced. September schedules probably won't be released until mid to late April.

 

[PrincessGrandma]

Thanks.
What's a ding? How do I download it?
How do you check in 24 hours ahead of time when you are at Disney?
I do like the flight times in August so I'm hoping they will have the same times in Sept.
Don't you find the prices seem high compared to some of the people on this board getting MUCH cheaper rates than we get out of New Orleans.

 

[disneyag]

Use Southwest! You can print a boarding pass at your hotel 24 hours before you depart Disney.

 

[roxannensteve]

We are using Delta from NO airport - NS flight too.