Sunwing

[misslissa]

For those of us who generally fly on Southwest out of Buffalo... I thought you would be interested to know that I got flights in February for an excellent price out of Toronto with Sunwing. I checked Southwest and it was actually $20 USD more per person. So, I feel like I got a pretty sweet deal!!!!!!!!!

I don't generally like flying out of TO, but I am actually SAVING by doing it this time.

 

[My 2 princesses]

only thing with SWA is, if they drop their prices, you can always get the lower price and have a credit. We booked at 119 each way and ended up with 69 each way. I now have a nice chunk of credit that I plan on using for another trip somewhere.

 

[mtmbyck]

curious what price you ended up with - TAX INCLUDED. Sure they have low prices, but the taxes out of Toronto usually are more than the best JetBlue Price out of Buffalo - DIRECT. I looked at Sunwing and I believe for my dates in March it was $649.00 each!

 

[chasbos]

Sunwing does have have some good deals on for FLorida - tax included. We go to Fort Myers and here is a list of the prices I got (for 6 people)

NWA - Detroit to Fort Myers non stop - $1680
Air Tran - Buffalo to Fort Myers non stop - $1224
SWA - Buffalo to Fort Myers with a change of planes - $2184
Sunwing - Toronto to Fort Myers non stop - $1986
Westjet - Toronto to Fort Myers non stop - $4941
Air Canada - Toronto to Fort Myers non stop - $3536

The only problem I have with Sunwing (I have flown them before to Halifax) is that they are a charter airline with only a couple of planes. So if there is a storm (there was a big storm in Jamaica and our plane was delayed there) somewhere else and plane does not get back - there is not another one to put you on!

We had a good flight with them but we were over 12 hours delayed and we missed our whole first day in Halifax (glad it was only 1 day)

 

[misslissa]

The rate we paid was $318 CAD pp including tax. The rate for the same dates with SWA was $340 USD pp including tax.

So, I feel that I came out on top.

Sunwing is a small airline at the bottom of the totem pole but I've been watching for about a year or so and they seem to have a pretty good track record with delays etc.

 

[laura001]

The rate we paid was $318 CAD pp including tax. The rate for the same dates with SWA was $340 USD pp including tax.

So, I feel that I came out on top.

Sunwing is a small airline at the bottom of the totem pole but I've been watching for about a year or so and they seem to have a pretty good track record with delays etc.

That doesn't sound bad for flying out of Toronto. I agree with a previous poster though and that is the fact that SWA, although their flights are looking expensive right now for that time, they usually drop to a much more reasonable rate (usually between $69 and $99 pp one way) so in fact if you hold out you can probably get a better deal. That being said, if you want to make sure that you have your flight booked already and you really want to fly out of TO....yours is a good deal! Either way.....have a great vacation!!

 

[misslissa]

That doesn't sound bad for flying out of Toronto. I agree with a previous poster though and that is the fact that SWA, although their flights are looking expensive right now for that time, they usually drop to a much more reasonable rate (usually between $69 and $99 pp one way) so in fact if you hold out you can probably get a better deal. That being said, if you want to make sure that you have your flight booked already and you really want to fly out of TO....yours is a good deal! Either way.....have a great vacation!!

Yeah, we have flown with Southwest 14 times and have had a great time with them, every time. But, this time we are flying with extended family and we all want to be booked together... I'm leading a bit of a group trip on this one. So, booking early is the only option at this time!!!!!!! I'm really happy with the deal

 

[rbchimp]

I'd be weary of SunWing myself, especially after Zoom shutdown.

 

[misslissa]

Well, Zoom lost their bankruptcy insurance months ago. So, that wasn't entirely unexpected.

Thankfully, Sunwing has been around since the 70s....

 

[chasbos]

I would not worry about SunWings financial stability either - they are not a large fleet and do not have many runs that are not popular and therefore full.

They cater to the south in the winter and vacation destinations in the summer.

 

[ferris198]

I didn't think any company could get bankruptcy insurance.
TICO has insurance to protect consumers who buy from travel agents.
People who buy on-line, or over the phone may not have the same options.

 

[chasbos]

Even those that booked with Zoom with there Visa card got there money back, it just took a while.

 

[fivebyfive]

curious what price you ended up with - TAX INCLUDED. Sure they have low prices, but the taxes out of Toronto usually are more than the best JetBlue Price out of Buffalo - DIRECT.

I priced out December 13th - 17th out of Toronto and Buffalo. Sunwing came in only $160 CANADIAN (don't forget to factor in that US exchange again) more than Buffalo for the 4 of us.

For me - a 2 1/2 hour drive to Buffalo, plus gas and not being able to see the FAR better side of the MCO airport on the way home from WDW is not worth a $160 savings.

Oh and Sunwing IS direct as well.

Thankfully, Sunwing has been around since the 70s....

Not to mention that it's been named one of Canada’s 100 fastest growing companies by Profit Magazine in 2008. This marks the third consecutive time the company has made it to the prestigious annual list.

 

[misslissa]

Ya, what is with that? The crappy side of MCO, I mean....

We always flew out of Buffalo and loved the part of MCO that it landed in, this last time, we flew out of West Jet and ended up in a horrible part of MCO!!!!!!!!

 

[fivebyfive]

Ya, what is with that? The crappy side of MCO, I mean....

We always flew out of Buffalo and loved the part of MCO that it landed in, this last time, we flew out of West Jet and ended up in a horrible part of MCO!!!!!!!!

I'm talking about the departure flight. If you flight is domestic (Buffalo) you end up on the *crappy* side. If your flight is international (Toronto), you end up on the *good* side.

The *good* side includes a really good Disney store (where I like to do all of my last minute shopping) a real food court, croc's store, and much, much more! The best part is they are (naturally) found AFTER you clear security, so you can browse at your leisure!

 

[misslissa]

Wow... when I flew West Jet vs. Southwest, I had the complete opposite experience! West Jet (both going and coming) had us in a part of MCO I had never seen before... totally under construction and NO shopping. We even had to HIKE a LONG HIKE to the Hyatt at the airport where we stayed. Every time we have gone with Southwest, we've been in the part with the good food and shopping.

 

[fivebyfive]

Ok, now THAT'S funny!

When was the last time you flew to MCO and out of which city?

 

[misslissa]

Yeah, we've always gone with Southwest and never had a problem.

This last time, we went out of Toronto with West Jet to MCO at the first of May. The airport that we got let out at didn't even look like the MCO I know, it was a really late nite flight (we landed at 1030 pm) and it was horrible! There was scaffolding, visible ducts, hanging wires, poor lighting, I was wondering if we were at the right airport...

 

[KPLC]

We flew Sunwing last week to and from Disney and they were fantastic. Both flight were on time - in fact left MCO a few minutes early on the return. It is great of you live near Pearson - you are home much quicker.

 

[webworm]

Sunwing is over $3800 including taxes during March Break from Pearson for family of 5 so that is why I avoid Pearson and fly out of Buffalo, Detroit, Rochester or Pittsburgh all the time.