Spring Break 2008 and Best Airline??

[indymom1]

Me and my family of four are going back to DW next spring break(3-29 to 4-6-08). The last four or five times going to Disney we have driven and I haven't flown in quite a while. We also used to fly out of Indy but now live in Chicago suburbs so we are dealing with airports we aren't familiar with. I am very confused which airline should I be focusing my time on? Air Tran, Southwest and others don't have their schedules out that far but have been reading posts about how I need to be right on it or I will not get tickets. Then I have seen other posts where flights were cancelled after booking or they charge for checked baggage. The major airlines already have their schedules out but the prices seem high compared to what I might be able to get on AirTran or Southwest would this be correct? I don't know if I should be booking with the bigger airlines or wait for the other flights to get released. I don't know anything about AirTran. Has anyone flown them out of Chicago and what were your thoughts?? Thanks in advance. I am just scared to death that I have a pool house rented but won't be able to get tickets when I need them

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

There are thousands of seats daily from Chicago to Orlando! Quit worrying about spring break 2008. If you buy tickets this far ahead you will pay A LOT more than you need to! Start scanning in October or November (and IMO even that's too early). The best prices are normally 1-3 months before your departure dates. That's when sales cover the next travel period.

If you absoultely need to guarantee yourself seats sooner than later then wait for Southwest to post your travel period (which won't be anytime soon either) and book something, even at higher than they need to be prices. Then continue to watch SW and when they post lower prices you can cancel your existing reservation with them and get full credit and then use the credit to purchase new tickets at the lower fare.

If you buy tickets now you're going to regret it. The airlines give no incentive to book way ahead of time.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

My experience out of Chicago airports for spring break is different than that of KINGBOBOFTHENORTH.

First, let me say that the advice from KINGBOBOFTHENORTH is reasonable if you're dealing with random travel dates throughout most of the year. It's often a good idea to wait until Southwest releases their schedule, even if you're flying on American, United, or other airlines.

However, most public school districts in the Chicago have exactly the same week for spring break. It's usually the final week of March. In 2008, spring break at many schools will begin after school on Friday, March 21; school will resume Monday March 31.

The parents know it and the airlines know it.

For outbound flights the first weekend and return flights the second weekend, the airlines allocate their ticket inventory differently because they know they can (it's called "yield management"). The few "cheap tickets" from Chicago to spring break destinations (including airports all over Florida) sell out quickly.

Soon, the only decent airfares are for awful flight times, such as flights that leave very early or arrive very late. Then, even those sell out, and roundtrips from Chicago to Florida cities can be over $500. Year after year, I've booked early and watched the fares go up.

When Southwest finally releases their flights, their cheaper fares tend to show no availability, at least for any decent flight times.

When I see a decent fare with decent departure times for spring break, I grab it -- even if spring break is 10 or 11 months away. It's possible the fare will go down, but it's much more likely the fair will go up... and up... and up. And if there are lower fares, they tend to be for those awful 6 AM or 7 AM flights that require you to set your alarm clock for 2 AM, or they're for connections that turn 3 hours of travel time into 8 hours.

UPDATE:

indymom1,

I just noticed that your spring break is 3-29 to 4-6-08. That might not be as difficult as a week earlier. You still might want to check what other school districts are doing to see how much competition you'll have for "cheap tickets."

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Now, allow me to answer the "best airline" part of the question.

The airlines with nonstop service from the Chicago area to the Orlando area are:

• AirTran from Chicago-Midway to Orlando International
• AirTran from Milwaukee to Orlando International
• Allegiant Air from Chicago-Rockford to Orlando-Sanford (no Magical Express)
• American from Chicago-O'Hare to Orlando International
• Midwest Airlines from Milwaukee to Orlando International
• Southwest from Chicago-Midway to Orlando International
• SkyValue (all flights currently cancelled) from Gary-Chicago to Orlando International
• Ted (United) from Chicago-O'Hare to Orlando International

I would not hesitate to fly on any of these airlines, except for SkyValue.

It depends which Chicago area airport is most convenient to you, which airline has the best flight times and fares, and whether you're collecting frequent flyer points with any of these airlines.

Many airlines provide connections, but with so much nonstop service from Chicago to Orlando, I always fly nonstop. Connections take several hours longer, and there's always a chance that you and/or your luggage won't successfully make the connection.

 

[I_believe]

I don't know which of the Chicago Subs. you are from but since another poster mentioned Milwakee and Rockford there is also the option of the Quad City International Airport out of Moline, Il. There are several non stop flights from Moline to Orlando on Delta, AA and Airtran. We fly Airtran because of the great rates. Since Moline is a smaller airport we have excellent fares and several flights to choose from and we haven't had the issues of cancellation that others have encountered. There may even be less of a conflict with the spring break of our local schools. If the drive is not an issue it may be worth checking into.

Good luck!!