Thanksgiving travel - higher prices and availability

[Harambe]

We are toying with the idea of going to WDW the Friday BEFORE Thanksgiving and returning to Boston the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving.

We've never traveled at this busy time. Are the flights wicked expensive? Even if you purchase tickets way in advance? And how early do you have to get to the airport on the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving. I'm thinking it won't be as bad as travelling on the Sunday, but I could be totally dreaming!

Advice from Thanksgiving travelers appreciated!

 

[safetymom]

Thanksgiving is the largest travel holiday of the year. I think you won't find many bargains and although you aren't traveling on the peak days you will find crowded planes, airports, etc. Also you won't find many deals unless you plan on traveling on the holiday itself.

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

I booked our airfare on 8-12 as follows:

Chicago - Orlando
American Airlines
Leaving Thurs 11-11
Returning Thurs 11-25 (Thanksgiving Day)
$131.70 round trip

They have changed our outbound flight - it's now at 9:15am instead of 1:15pm (a good change IMHO!).

Hope this info helps in some way.
~Nancy~

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by Harambe
Are the flights wicked expensive? Even if you purchase tickets way in advance? And how early do you have to get to the airport on the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving. I'm thinking it won't be as bad as travelling on the Sunday, but I could be totally dreaming!

Wicked expensive to just about anywhere, but perhaps less so if you buy far in advance. Perhaps February school vacation and maybe around Easter are similar in terms of price, but at those times you're lucky to get it under $500 for direct flights, and usually more like $600. You might save some flying the Friday before, but for your return, any flight that weekend is gonna be pricy and crowded.

Good luck!

 

[goofy4tink]

I booked our Song flights for Thanksgiving back in May. Paid $235 r/t. We leave Logan on 11/25 and return 12/1. But the price has gone up for those flights.

 

[CarolA]

I would not wait too much longer to book.

I have flown the Saturday after Thanksgiving for several years (Boston to Nashville) I used to get GREAT deals for that day, but every year the planes get more croweded and the prices rise. I guess more people are catching on to my trick.

 

[Paticake]

Check Jet Blue. I think there are still some fares for around $165rt and SW out of Manchester had some decent fares if you took an evening flight when I checked the other day.We are paying 151 rt. on Jet blue the Saturday after Thanksgiving returning the following Fri. Good luck.

 

[Paticake]

Sidestep is showing a fare on Airtran for $261 rt

 

[seashoreCM]

If you can fly down in the evening (not on Wednesday) and return home early in the morning and are willing to change planes en route you might find surprisingly good Thanksgiving fares amidst fare sales.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm