SWA from Wash DC

[Jill Schwartz]

Hi all,
We've never flown SW, but from the current posted flight times, they seem to have the best flight times for us out of either Dulles or Reagan Nat. When they finallly post dates for this summer, should I book right away? I have to buy 5 tickets so price is an issue, but at the same time it would be a real pain to wait for a lower price and then not be able to get 5 tickets on the same flight. Plus, I glanced over the post with the history of Dings, and I don't think I even saw any for DC area, except Baltimore.
Anyone have experience on how much (before taxes/fees) the SW tickets from DC to MCO might be when they first come out? And should I just bite the bullet and book since I need 5 on the same flight?
Thanks!!

 

[katallo]

Hi Jill,

Not sure I can answer your question, but here is my experiece. We fly from Baltimore. For the past several months, I've been checking DING fares and have not found a lot from Baltimore to Orlando. So, we booked our spring trip the day SW released fares and paid $75.00 or 79.00 one way. I'm happy with it and have somewhat given up on hoping for any DINGS. I would suggest booking asap. Hopefully, fares will be released this week.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Plus, I glanced over the post with the history of Dings, and I don't think I even saw any for DC area, except Baltimore.

This may be due to the fact that SWA didn't start flying out of Dulles until October 2006. And they don't really fly out of National; these flights are operated by ATA.

 

[TDC Nala]

There definitly have been DINGs from Washington Dulles to Orlando. I have taken advantage of several. It is probably too early at this point to get a DING for spring dates. They're still running them for February.

If I know when I want to go, I do not wait for DING fares or a sale to book. I will book a flight when it comes out and change to the lower fare if one is released. The regular lowest fare is still pretty good. It's usually $79 each way but the last one I booked was $84.

Dulles is running two flights a day to MCO and back. I would not book from National; I don't think they run nonstops from there. I can't recall if the ATA flights from there even go anywhere near WDW.