New Orleans travellers - need help with Southwest

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I'm looking for flights for the first week of March to and from MCO - of course they are all listed as sold out, and so are the flights back home. Does anyone have any experience with SW adding flights? Or should I just give up and book somewhere else?

 

[snappy]

I booked a flight from NOLA to Orlando this past weekend. I noticed they are completely sold out for the return flight on Saturday, March12th. There were still flights on other days but when I picked a return on March 12 th, even all the flights on the departure from New Orleans I matched the 12th with showed sold out.

Play with the dates. Try doing one way segments until you find which days are available. You can still book round trip but you have to figure out which days are available for the return segment.

This is what I did. We are returning on the 11th.

Good luck.

 

[Lewisc]

According to the low fare calendar flights from New Orleans to MCO are available every day in March. Flights from MCO or New Orleans are available every day except March 12.

How many people in your group? Maybe there aren't enough seats to accommodate your entire group on a flight.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

March 12th is the return date that I need. We don't want to return earlier than that because some friends are flying in on the 11th and we want to have dinner with them that night.

There are only three of us - should I just resign myself to driving? Do they ever add flights?

 

[prncess674]

Well you and every other New Orleanian are returning from WDW that weekend. Mardi Gras is March 8th and WDW is literally a sea of Mardi Gras and/or Saints colors because NOLA schools give the week off. SWA works on a point to point system and not a hub and spoke system so unless there is something huge happening then it is unlikely that flights would be added. Either look at a connecting flight or resign yourself to driving.

 

[Jestocost]

Unfortunately for you, SWA almost never adds or cancels flights after their schedule is set. That's great on the never-cancelling side, but not good news in your situation. SWA also allows changes and cancellations without a penalty, however, so keep checking your dates as there always is a slim chance that someone will cancel and seats will open up. Realistically, it sounds like you may just have to resign yourself to driving.

 

[snappy]

March 12th is the return date that I need. We don't want to return earlier than that because some friends are flying in on the 11th and we want to have dinner with them that night.

There are only three of us - should I just resign myself to driving? Do they ever add flights?

How about the 13th? There are flights that day, although no direct flights at the cheaper rate.

The direct flights must really book up early.

We often drive but I prefer to fly if I am staying for less than a week.

You could also try booking through Southwest vacations, if your current accommodation reservation can be cancelled.


Good luck.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm looking for flights for the first week of March to and from MCO - of course they are all listed as sold out, and so are the flights back home. Does anyone have any experience with SW adding flights? Or should I just give up and book somewhere else?

The entire month isn't sold out, just the return date of 3/12.

March 12th is the return date that I need. We don't want to return earlier than that because some friends are flying in on the 11th and we want to have dinner with them that night.

There are only three of us - should I just resign myself to driving? Do they ever add flights?

SW won't be adding flights. A few seats may open up on 3/12. Some people cancel or change their reservation. You'll have to book as soon as you see them. Price won't be the cheapest. You'll have to book each passenger individually and hope to eventuality be able to switch to the same flight.

You first suggested checking other airlines. Why don't you see what is available from other airlines before you resign yourself to driving. Kayak shows several flights available for under $200 (O/W). You probably waited to long to get a good price (or even any price) for a N/S flight.

 

[snappy]

Southwest has the only non stop flight.

Believe me I know.

 

[NotUrsula]

Flights into MSY on the 12th will be hard to come by at this late date. That's "come-back" day for everyone in South Louisiana who got out of town for Mardi Gras.

I've discovered a secret pathway that lets me travel in and out during Mardi Gras week without huge expense: AEX. (Yep, I drive to and from Alexandria.) The airlines consider it far enough north to be outside the "event" zone for the holiday. Jackson, MS has the same distinction; you could try whichever is closest.