Southwest Airlines Question

[summerrluvv]

I have never flown Southwest, but there is an airport near my house (Islip) which is much closer than JFK, so I would love to try them for the convience factor. I noticed their schedule for Oct is not listed on the site, anyone know when it will come out?

Also...I could fly out of JFK and fly Song Airlines (new and operated by Delta), for $140 per person round trip!! Does Southwest ever have flights this low with their specials?

Thanks!

 

[KathleenC]

I haven't seen anything quite that low from MacArthur to Orlando, but when you factor in travel costs to JFK or LaGuardia (not to mention the aggravation cost), MacArthur comes out way ahead. I love being home in my own house less than 1/2 hour after the plane lands when coming home.

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by KathleenC
I haven't seen anything quite that low from MacArthur to Orlando, but when you factor in travel costs to JFK or LaGuardia (not to mention the aggravation cost), MacArthur comes out way ahead. I love being home in my own house less than 1/2 hour after the plane lands when coming home.

Exactly...I think the convenience weighs out the cost of parking and the travel time, but hopefully they will publish their schedule soon. If they don't have something that's affordable enough, I'll just have to book JFK and maybe my sis could drop us off so I don't have to do parking.

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello summerrluvv- We're also from Long Island and we'll only fly from Islip anymore. Whenever SW expands their schedule they offer "internet only" specials at about 49.00 each way, non-stop. We've gotten it twice before. If you call and ask the phone reps, they'll tell you they don't know when the new schedule will start. We usually check their site about 3 times a day, when we feel the new fares will be released.( If you follow these boards, you'll hear the chatter of expanding dates ). We usually check the site around shift change times. I've found that the incoming shifts are told of new flights even though the old shift didn't have a clue. Be prepared to book quickly. The internet specials go quickly, so have your dates times and card handy for placing your order. Even if you can't get that amazing rate, there are plenty of slightly higher fares that are on par with the rates from Song.
Good Luck fare hunting. Sandra

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

As you can see, I'm nowhere near Long Island, but I do fly SWA out of Mancehster, NH, and I love that airline. More often than not, we arrive early, and they have wonderful crews most of the time.

Also, if you book a flight and then see a lower fare afterward, you can rebook and receive a credit good for a year. I've used that feature twice and it is very helpful.

Have a great time!

 

[melomouse]

.. I, too, love SWA. Those fares are out there on Thrilling Thursdays or Internet Specials and last October we went for our first MNSSHP for $59 @way. won't do it any other way - wouldn't have been to WDW 3x since August if not for SWA's fares!. Lomo to JFK or LAG from here = an entire fare!!

good luck - check SWA online every day if you have to!

 

[MrsMud]

...I could fly out of JFK and fly Song Airlines (new and operated by Delta), for $140 per person round trip!! Does Southwest ever have flights this low with their specials?

Well, I am one who has been patiently waiting for Southwest to release their Oct. fares. I can tell you that they are offering fares of $145 RT, at least for the last Sat. in Aug. to the first Sun. in Sept. I'm just hoping the Oct. fares will be so low!

 

[Poohnatic]

It's nice to see that McArthur has some real serious business since I left LI. It was definitely the 'last resort' when I left (in '88).

Southwest runs a lot of specials on Wednesdays. I've been following them a lot the past few months. Got DH a 225 r/t from Baltimore to Burbank, CA. I got a 148 r/t from Baltimore to MCO. I find that the LI deals are much better than here. Be patient, keep checking. I'm sure your deal will come.

Now, if only JetBlue would add MCO to Baltimore or Dulles, I'd be set!

Suzanne

 

[prncess674]

look at the fares for the latest dates possible and you will see what the fares should be. The lowest fares are usually only available for travel on Tues/Wed/Sat, so consider this when deciding when to travel. They regularly have internet one way fares of $59 which with tax round trip is $135, if you are diligent in checking the site you will be rewarded. Also be sure to sign up on the website for the weekly specials email. MCO comes up a some.

 

[BarryCF]

It's always been odd to me that you can fly SWA, a Texas Company, cheaper from the Northeast than you can from Texas. I've never seen a flight from Houston to Orlando for less than $225 rt, and that's a Tue/Wed/Sat promo fare, and it's not even non stop. Meanwhile, it's not uncommon to fly from NY, NH, etc. for $125 or less rt. That makes no sense to me.

Cheers

 

[melomouse]

Hey Barry -
Mom flew in from Hobby for 1st Disney trip ever last summer on SWA. I am trying like mad to get from LI to Houston via Orlando w/o breaking the bank for this summer!
You are right - it's just the routes they fly, tho, that makes the fares different i guess.


(love your siggie, BTW)

 

[lindaso]

We're also waiting somewhat patiently for SWA fares for October for Islip. Going to JFK is a major hassle for us and no one in our family "likes" to drive us. Last time it was so confusing we actually forgot the carseats and my BIL drove off and we were stuck without them (what a nightmare!!).

Does anyone know if they offer the infant fares and the youth fares online? I know many of the other airlines don't offer them online and you need to call to get those fares.

 

[chipscinderelly]

A lot of the reason that SWA is more expensive out of Texas is due to the Love Field restrictions. I looked at going in August on SWA to Orlando and it's more expensive than American because the Wright Law only allows SWA out of Love to fly to certain states. You book one ticket round trip for that flight and then purchase a separate ticket from that location to Orlando... very expensive.

Which is a bummer since I would fly them if it was more cost effective.

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by lindaso
We're also waiting somewhat patiently for SWA fares for October for Islip. Going to JFK is a major hassle for us and no one in our family "likes" to drive us. Last time it was so confusing we actually forgot the carseats and my BIL drove off and we were stuck without them (what a nightmare!!).

Does anyone know if they offer the infant fares and the youth fares online? I know many of the other airlines don't offer them online and you need to call to get those fares.

I have heard of infant fares, but not youth ones...Southwest gives discounts for kids?

Also...I'm looking at their schedule for September, and the departing flights from MCO aren't late enough for us. I like to spend most of the day at the parks, so I think we might be flying Song instead, as they have a 7pm departure.

 

[lindaso]

The last time I was considering SWA, they did have a youth fare. It wasn't much different than the adult fare, but it was a little cheaper. But I still haven't found it on the website so I guess I'll just call up when the time comes.

The latest non-stop looks like it departs MCO at 5pm. That's going to have to be good enough for us!! I'd rather not spend the hour and a half driving to and from JFK.

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by lindaso
The last time I was considering SWA, they did have a youth fare. It wasn't much different than the adult fare, but it was a little cheaper. But I still haven't found it on the website so I guess I'll just call up when the time comes.

The latest non-stop looks like it departs MCO at 5pm. That's going to have to be good enough for us!! I'd rather not spend the hour and a half driving to and from JFK.

Yeah it's about that long for us too. Hmmm...I just dont know what to do! I guess I'll wait and see what the fares are like when they finally post that darn schedule!

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by lindaso
The last time I was considering SWA, they did have a youth fare. It wasn't much different than the adult fare, but it was a little cheaper. But I still haven't found it on the website so I guess I'll just call up when the time comes.

The latest non-stop looks like it departs MCO at 5pm. That's going to have to be good enough for us!! I'd rather not spend the hour and a half driving to and from JFK.

the cheapest SWA fares are found online. They may have a youth fare but it will almost always be more expensive than an adult internet fare since you would have to call and book it. A child can always fly on an adult fare.