Southwest Alternative

[misslissa]

After being a longtime Southwest supporter, I decided to look into some YYZ options and found great deals this time around, in the new year, with Air Transat. They leave very early in the morning, and come back quite early as well... but the price right now (about $350 CDN pp) is working out to be quite similar to the Southwest rates with exchange.

Just a thought!

 

[Hockeychic]

Actually after figuring I would never fly out of Toronto again, I just booked the first weekend in March for a girls weekend for $322 PP.....I checked same dates with SW and they where $370. Worth a try!!!

 

[Cottager]

I wanted to prove you wrong but after doing the math and factoring in the exchange rate, the rates are not that far off. AirTransat is offering $6.00 flights each way plus tax but even with the extra Canadian taxes included, the exchange rate makes the comparison quite close.

I'm not sure if it's worth the extra drive to Buffalo based on the small difference.

Now I'm upset....

 

[misslissa]

Ya, I NEVER thought I would ever fly out of YYZ again after doing 14 flights with SWA out of BUF... but, it has happened. Even without the exchange, Air Transat is a better rate!

 

[CdnDisneyNut]

Have you tried Westjet
I got a good rate for Vegas last month

 

[webworm]

After being a longtime Southwest supporter, I decided to look into some YYZ options and found great deals this time around, in the new year, with Air Transat. They leave very early in the morning, and come back quite early as well... but the price right now (about $350 CDN pp) is working out to be quite similar to the Southwest rates with exchange.

Just a thought!

I often fly out of Detroit as well since it's 3 hours to the ambassador bridge for me. Southwest has nonstop flights in January for $59.00 each way or $139.00 return.

Southwest Airlines Air Itinerary and Pricing
Air Itinerary
Trip Date Day Stops Routing Flight Routing Details
Depart Jan 10 Sat Nonstop DTW-MCO 3715 Depart Detroit (DTW) at 2:20 PM
Arrive in Orlando (MCO) at 5:00 PM
Return Jan 17 Sat Nonstop MCO-DTW 2515 Depart Orlando (MCO) at 2:25 PM
Arrive in Detroit (DTW) at 5:10 PM

Total $109.76 $15.24 $9.00 $5.00 $139.00
1 Security Fee is the government-imposed September 11th Security Fee.

 

[disneynuts777]

Just be careful. Southwest has a very generous change policy as well as two free checked bags(up to 50lbs each, plus a carry on that can weigh no more than 20lbs).You have already cleared customs and can go straight to ME. Leaving from Buffalo you are a domestic flight not an international flight. You do not have to be back at MCO three hours before your scheduled flight.

Air Transat you are allowed a total checked baggage allowance of 44lb. Which means you can check as many articles as you want as long as the total weight does not exceed 44lbs. Your carry on may not weigh more than 11lbs. You also clear customs when you land in Orlando not when you leave Toronto.(This was a total pain the only time I made this mistake). The lines at the airport to check into these charter flights is mind blowing and the security lines at pearson can be frightful at best espessially for these real early morning flights.

While flying out of YYZ may in some circumstances be close to flying out of Buffalo cost wise I will still be driving to Buffalo as it so much more stress free.

 

[Belle1997]

Well I posted about the Westjet Vacation deal and I figure we are flying 339.00 taxes included per person for February

 

[Hockeychic]

I believe Westjet and Air Canada have the same baggage restrictions unless I read something wrong. But definatley SW's refund policy can not be beat!!!!

I have 3 flights booked over the next 5 months
SW Buffalo to MCO $532.00 for 2 people direct flights
Air Canada Toronto to MCO 1 person $322.00 direct flights
Westjet Toronto to Fort Lauderdale 2 people $719.00 direct flights.

We live about 2.5 hours from Buffalo so the 2 Toronto flights I didn't think where bad and will save us many hours in travel and boarder waits.

When we started flying SW we use to get $29 direct flights, we would fly a family of 4 direct for just under $300.00 boy miss those days...and that was only about 3 years ago