Song Air to Force Lower Air Fares on East Coast Routes???

[Bill From PA]

I've been awaiting the launching of Song Air, a Delta branch which will, according to their press release,

'By October 2003, Song plans to provide 144 daily flights utilizing a fleet of 36 Boeing 757 aircraft.... Primarily between
Northeast and Key Florida Leisure Destinations. '

Tickets go on sale starting 3/31, flights begin 4/15. As an observer of air fare from the North East Pa area for the last 5 years, USAir prices have been high, with Delta and others not much better. Today, the ticket I bought for our last Nov. trip which cost $232 is now $223 for the dates of our next trip, the first drop I've seen in months. Could it be that Song Air is breathing a little competition into the NorthEast to Fla. travel corridor? I haven't seen their rate structure yet, but they call themselves 'THE WORLD’S MOST INNOVATIVE LOW-FARE
AIRLINE SERVICE'.

Any thoughts from East Coast frequent Flyers?

Bill From PA

 

[shoes99]

I'm also waiting for Song to release their fares from Newark to Orlando. Our next trip is in September and I am hoping to find something under $200 RT. Right now Delta and Continental are showing $217 RT for our dates.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I also leave in September and the cheapest airfare I can find from one of closer airports seems to be MDT. (Harrisburg, Pa) They start at $161 but they are non-stop flights and I really prefer the non-stop. I think I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for SW or AirTran out of BWI. Philly seems to be more expensive recently. Good luck!

 

[zurgswife]

I've never heard of Song Air...I definetaly keep my eyes open...

 

[n2mm]

I can't wait for some new competition out of Wash. DC.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

n2mm....Isn't Jet Blue out of DC? I thought they were very inexpensive compared to the other lines.

 

[n2mm]

I believe so, but with three airlines, Dulles is 45 minutes from my home, while both of the others are more than a hour away. So Dulles is always my first choice, with BWI my second. I haven't flown out of National/Reagan for a very long time. Wish Jet Blue would come to Dulles!

 

[markey]

I'm still waiting to buy our August tickets from Harrisburg. Last year bought in May for August for $132 (tax included) from USAir. If not will try BWI, flew from there in August 2001 for $125.

 

[disnurse]

Does anyone have any insight as to how they will do their ressies. I hope they don't limit the dates like SWA does

 

[Bill From PA]

Hey, Harrisburgers! (Harrisburgites? Harrisburgians?)

It looks like it would be work it for us to drive down from Wilkes-Barre. Is there a hotel right there at the airport, or nearby with a shuttle service?


Thanks,
Bill From PA

 

[markey]

There are at least 8 motels in the area that I'm sure have shuttle service because I see them running around at lunch time, work about 4 miles from the airport. I'm sure you could do a searce, or if you need some names let me know. Off subject, your Wilkes-Barre team just beat my Bears for 4 in a row this year, but we'll get you in the playoffs..

 

[Bill From PA]

markey,

Thanks for the info on hotels. I wouldn't want to chance a breakdown or traffic issues for an early flight out of MDT, so we'd get there the night before and shuttle to the airport.
Concerning the Penguins, they're struggling to even make the playoffs.


Bill From PA

 

[seashoreCM]

Superficially I dpon't see much difference in fares between what Song promises and what Delta Express has offered, at least from Boston to Orlando.

Unless there are more seats in the lower priced tiers (allotments; buckets; quotas).

Song promises fares as low as $79. each way. I once did get a BOS-MCO Delta Express trip for $160. round trip.

Song promises fares no more than $279. (or was it $299?) each way. I noticed that last year, certain choice dates (BOS-MCO) had the round trip fare hovering in the $500 to $600. range for many months before the dates in question.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Bill From PA]

The best price I ever got to MCO was out of Allentown at $165 RT. Right now it's $205 RT. $80 each is $160 RT, and that sounds pretty good to me right now. I'll book 7 seats right now if that's the deal.

Bill From PA

 

[dansyr]

Does delta song have a website yet??? I was interested in booking them out of Newark. I would like to find some info on them.

 

[Bill From PA]

dansyr,

Get in line here!:

http://www.flysong.com/index.jsp


Bill From PA

 

[ddgirl]

I'm very interested in this new airline service. Do you know if they'll be flying out of Washington/Dulles (IAD) to Orlando (MCO)??

We're leaving for Disney on May 22nd and the cheapest thing is a Delta flight for $240.00 - I had budgeted our flights at $160.00-180.00 each. I could choose another close by airport, but I'm SO familiar with Dulles that I hate to go to another terminal. I check the Delta flights every morning and evening to see if they've come down yet. Should I wait or go ahead and book them at $240.00 each?

Thanks for any updates on Song Air.

 

[Bill From PA]

ddgirl,

I've linked to their site below. They don't start selling tickets until 3/31 or start flying until 4/15. Personally, if I were leaving in May and didn't have my tickets yet I'd be worried. As flights fill up, the price for each seat climbs. Last year I bought seats on a USAir flight to Myrtle Beach for $165. A month before take-off they were over $800. Not trying to panic you, maybe others have played the waiting game better than I. I start watching a whole year out and watch the fluctuations in price and jump on them when I 'guess' they're at a low. I'm usually good, or lucky, but one year they went down $50 each after I bought them. Win some, lose some. BTW, Song is owned by Delta, but a separate entity.


http://www.flysong.com/index.jsp

Bill From PA

 

[ralphd]

You can call Delta Airlines to book flights on Song Air.

ralphd

 

[kbeverina]

ddgirl--I'm not sure where you live, but if RIC, Richmond International, is an option, you can still get flights there for under $160 including taxes and fees. Just check travelocity for all the options.