Summer Airfare to skyrocket!!!

[beattyfamily]

Did anyone else see this on the financial news this morning?

They said due to a great economy and expecting a busy travel season (busiest since 2001) that summer month's airfare is going to skyrocket!

They also said yet again how tough things are for Delta. The pilots are threatening to go on strike and the owner said this, plus other things, is really hurting them. Their bookings for this timeframe are down from previous years...I think that's due to everyone being afraid to fly with them for fear of bankruptcy, doing away with Song, and changing flights so often. Too bad because I used to love Delta/Song.

Just thought I'd share.

 

[FINFAN]

Yeah....DH saw it and asked at breakfast if I had booked our airfare for August yet, and to go ahead and bite the bullet. I have been trying to hold out for SW...not because I think they will be so much cheaper, but because of the no penalty perk if we need to cancel etc. We need Friday and Sunday flights so the odds of a great DING are slim, especially Chicago to MCO. I think the other side of this is crowds at the airports/ parks etc. I was slightly surprised at the volume predicted...I really wish we had 2 more days and would just drive. I hate being locked in and at the mercy of the airlines.
Still trying to figure out the "great economy" part....this has to be one of the thoughest financial years we have ever had..and we are not alone.


Pam

 

[SeaSpray]

I just booked our August airfare this morning with JetBlue. The rates are much higher than we've gotten for previous trips. At this point, they had the least expensive non-stop flights from Boston to Orlando. American Airlines was the next least-expensive non-stop flights. We usually fly with Delta/Song, but at $350+, and the unpredictability factor, I just couldn't stay with them at this point. We are booked with them for our May trip though.

 

[cepmom]

Yeah....DH saw it and asked at breakfast if I had booked our airfare for August yet, and to go ahead and bite the bullet. I have been trying to hold out for SW...not because I think they will be so much cheaper, but because of the no penalty perk if we need to cancel etc. We need Friday and Sunday flights so the odds of a great DING are slim, especially Chicago to MCO. I think the other side of this is crowds at the airports/ parks etc. I was slightly surprised at the volume predicted...I really wish we had 2 more days and would just drive. I hate being locked in and at the mercy of the airlines.
Still trying to figure out the "great economy" part....this has to be one of the thoughest financial years we have ever had..and we are not alone.


Pam

I've been holding out for SW to open up for late August, early September....do they not usually have DINGs for Sunday's?? I need a return flight home on a Sunday, 9/3 (Labor Day weekend)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Airfares ALWAYS go up in the summer, the peak travel time. With high fuel prices and peak demand for tickets, you can bet cheap fares will be very difficult to find this summer. If I were travelling and saw anything at a reasonable price, I would not delay in locking in my tickets now.

 

[FINFAN]

cepmom,
I have not had the good fortune to get a ding for a Friday or Sunday between Chicago and MCO on dates/ non-stops I have needed. That is not to say it CAN'T happen...just that I am not banking on it, and needing 4 seats , if it has been available in the past, I have not been able to capitalize on it. I have had many opportunities for mid week travel, but so far, the weekend opportunities for us have been slim.
Hope you have better luck, I really have no idea if the holiday weekend will help you, maybe since many will want to use Monday, Labor Day itself for travel.
I would love nothing better than to be wrong on this and have our luck change, believe me!

 

[cepmom]

thanks FINFAN
I have never flown SW before and our trip in August is just for DH and I. It needs to be a super budget trip so we can still go on our 7 night surprise cruise in January 2007. I don't want to pay the available fares now with Delta, AA, Jet Blue etc. I'll take my chances with SW, but only because I need to watch the price and only because it is just DH and I. If we needed 5 seats for all of us, I would probably just book someplace else now instead of waiting. A DING would be awesome, but at this point I am just hoping for a decent fare once they open up.

 

[mlwear]

I'm reading on here of Delta's woes.
I am planning to purchase airfair from Delta. They have a great flight from our local airport. Non-stop, less than 2 hours and we are in Orlando by 9 am. Flight home is a breeze, too. Every other airline includes a stop and less convenient times.
I don't know all the details with Delta, but obviously there are some finicial problems and employee disputes.
What is the worst case scenario for booking with Delta for an August trip?

 

[TDC Nala]

I have all my summer flights booked and they were dirt cheap.

I plan to drive to Florida in July. I'm anticipating crowded roads (July 4th weekend) and SOARING gas prices. I'll probably wish I'd booked a flight.

 

[tabrizia]

What is the worst case scenario for booking with Delta for an August trip?

Worst case scenario Delta will be out of business and you will need to find a new flight.

Most likely scenario Delta will change the flight around and it won't be non-stop by the time August comes around.

 

[CarolA]

The analyts are assuming the airlines think! I don't think they do;. I just bought a ROUND TRIP on SW for $115 from Birmingham for June. I could have had the same fare on DL, but wanted the SW flexibility!

MLWear, it's possible you could still have a non stop. I just booked my Mom on DL to MCO from Nashville. It's actually run by Comair on the small jet and I don't think they will change that from the non stop.

I live it Atlanta, home of DL and I just don't get the feeling from the media etc that the pilots are 100% set on the strike. (The union is a whole different issue, but they can't really strike without the pilots behind them!)

 

[mlwear]

MLWear, it's possible you could still have a non stop. I just booked my Mom on DL to MCO from Nashville. It's actually run by Comair on the small jet and I don't think they will change that from the non stop.

This flight is actually run by a carrier, also. Probably Comair. Can't remember from last year. I did not notice that the rate has gone up about $10 in the last couple of days. Still, it is about $225 roundtrip and gets me from Richmond at 7 am to Orlando at 9 am. Not a huge fan of the small jets, but will deal with it for the major convenience.
Planning to book this week...hope I have no problems.

 

[snowbunny]

Still trying to figure out the "great economy" part....this has to be one of the thoughest financial years we have ever had..and we are not alone.

You can say that again.

 

[deana s]

when would you advise booking for our October trip? Should we book now or wait? We were looking at a nonstop Continental flight out of Newark for 208.....now DH is looking at a Delta flight with one stop out of ABE, which is closer to our home for 239. Would you be conserned booking with Delta for October? And do you think it would be a problem having a connecting flight with children 4 and 7 who have never flown before (layovers are about 40 minutes). TIA

 

[VinnyNYC]

I'm also looking for cheap airfare from either LGA or JFK into MCO. Right now the cheapest I could find is $225 on AA or Delta...JetBlue is the highest around $250...Anybody else looking for the lowest fare out there...I think I'm going to hold out a little while longer for a cheaper fare...

 

[FINFAN]

I am so tired of checking, re-checking...I am ready to change vacation plans entirely! Seriously...as much as we LOVE WDW, and we do, this trip planning seems to be tipping the scales to the "more hassle than it's worth" side. However, it is mostly due to our limited finances which are not the airlines fault, I am just pouting. I need a good nights sleep and to focus on something else tomorrow. Pretty doubtful that SW will open up, but you can bet if I'm not on-line, they will! If only our van was reliable enough to make the drive again, and DH had 2 more days.....sigh.


Pam

 

[tiki23]

Wow, I guess I scored with my flight prices! RT Seattle to Orlando with one stop for $231.

Here's some for the folks still shopping!