timeframe for purchasing airfare???

[tigger53]

i've flown two times out of phila. on us air and have purchased our tickets months in advance before our trip. we liked flying on us air because it was direct to mco but with all the bankrupsy talks will us air still be flying next july? i'm not familiar with other lines or how to go about booking them, i would assume its the same as going through us air but all the flights seem to have lay overs somewhere. when does everyone start to look at booking a flight before your trip? any suggestions on an airline going out of phila.? any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

We have used AirTran out of Philly and have been satisfied. We start looking about six months before to try to guage schedules and prices. We have flown US Airways in the past but I would hesitate to buy tickets for any flight too far away. They are in very serious financial trouble and, from I have read, it is unlikely that someone will step in to help them.
You also have Southwest flying out of Philly, but I like getting our seats via the home computer before we leave. That's one of the reasons we will fly AirTran to MCO next year. We also have a credit from them for the first hurricaine from this past August.
AirTran has modern jets and their employees are very friendly and helpful.

 

[deelam]

I fly out of Philly too. I won't book with US air either. But I sure hope they pull themselfs out of this mess. I could not find another Magor Airline to fly a direct route. So I checked out Air Tran. I Got a flight the end of April for $79. I had to buy a one way because my return date in May isn't out yet. I've never flown Air Tran, but for $79, it's worth a try. When the dates first were released on Air Tran, they were $120 each way. I waited a few days and they dropped to $79.

Deneen

 

[Bill From PA]

I just booked 2 tickets for a New Year's Day flight on USAir from AVP, changing planes in PHL. We've used USAir and Delta in the past and would recommend both again. I've never hestiated reserving with airlines in bankruptcy, they seem to take turns going in and out of Chapter 11. USAir just settled with their pilots last week so I'm not losing any sleep over this. Besides, we booked for $211 RT and the best I see on Travelocity this morning from AVP is $287.

That said, I start to seriously research flights and rates about 6 months out, checking every day to get a sense of the range of prices available. Rates bounce arount a lot early on. About 3 months out is when I usually see a markedly lower price and I jump on it. The last few trips I caught rates at their lowest and It looks like I did this time, too. Whatever, I'm happy with what I got.

Go to Travelocity and Orbitz to see what's up for your dates. I have no brand loyalty and would go with another carrier in a minute. If you see something good there, go to that airline's site and you may get the same itinerary for $5 less. Good luck.

Bill From PA