Travelling to Orlando in April 2010

[Newfiescotian]

Hi folks:
My family and I are hoping to travel to Orlando next April but having trouble finding direct flights. Westjet are not offering any next year. Called them to ask "why" and was told there are numerous reasons why they don't put direct flights on, one being they can't fill enough seats from Hfx?? Air Canada is offering two a week but the ticket is over 900/person!! Do you think it's too early for us to be booking our tickets? My fear is that they will drop in price between now and April. Any tips on how we can coordinate booking our flights and booking a good rental home at the same time?

 

[SplashMom]

We've travelled in the spring several times and it seems that the direct flights don't get added until the fall. We usually have our tickets booked and then the direct flights are offered. We have been able to switch our flights but that isn't always possible. We were just lucky. Keep watching and checking the prices regularly, and if you see a flight that is a reasonable price, be ready to book. There may not be direct flights or they may not be on the days you want. I wouldn't wait too long but often there are great deals this far in advance. I just pick a date and go with it but if you are determined to fly direct, you may have to wait a while and it may not happen. It's hard to know what to do but I just go with the best deal I can get at the time. As long as I feel comfortable with the price and dates, I go with it. I have always gotten a good price and date/times I wanted. No easy answer...just keep checking and book when a good deal comes along!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

No matter what season it is I think WestJet only has direct flights to Orlando that leave from Toronto and Calgary. So if you want to fly WestJet chances are you would fly to Toronto and connect from there to Orlando.

 

[tinkershae]

I flew Air Transat direct from Halifax last Feb. I think if you wait a little longer they will realease Air Transat flights. Last year it was around the end of July. I am also watching the flights for this Feb. Here's hoping for some good prices on flights.

 

[Leafsgirl36]

Westjet usually posts their direct flights from Halifax to Orlando some time in July. We usually book our trip with airmiles as soon as the flights come out then try to change to direct flights once Westjet releases them. Last year for some reason they only offered direct from Halifax for January and February but not March or April. Just keep checking their website.

 

[2forMe]

I think it is way to early to be booking flights for next April. I would be surprised if the prices did not drop... but then again I have never flown from Halifax.

 

[SplashMom]

I don't think it's early...we have always booked in July or August for the following spring and I check regularly and the ticket prices never seem to get lower than the price I paid. Of course, I always wait for a decent seat sale but the flights sell quite quickly, depending on the dates. I'm checking now for March dates and I'll book as soon as something decent comes along.

 

[SandraC]

Generally, I tend to book my flights about 100 days before the trip. S

 

[Boncho]

We usually go to WDW the end of April - beginning of May and I don't even start looking for flights until the fall. It is way too early for the direct flights to be out. Wait a little while longer until the direct flights and the seat sales for April are out. I'm hoping to be able to get direct flights again this year for aroung $500 each. Cross your fingers! Sometimes I don't get our flight booked until the end of January.

 

[dennise]

We booked July 29th last year for April. Got direct for decent prices.

 

[cdotla]

Air Canada is the only direct from Halifax for 2010 for April. Same with last year.

The good news is that their prices to Orlando over the last year from Halifax have been much better than WJ, direct or thru Toronto.

2 years ago we scored one way with West Jet leaving end of April for $89 one way via Toronto. Haven't seen that price again.

I suspect AC will start doing seat sales in the Fall. I would hold off booking tickets til then.

 

[Boncho]

West Jet, Air Canada and Air Transat all have direct flights from Halifax to Orlando in the spring, they just aren't always running during the same time frame. Last year Air Transat was the last one to stop their direct flights to Orlando which was sometime during the first part of May. Our return flight was on May 6 and it seems to me the direct flight was only going to be for another week or so.

 

[dennise]

Boncho- Do you remember when you booked for May?

 

[Boncho]

Boncho- Do you remember when you booked for May?

We didn't book our trip until the end of January. Usually we book our trip in the fall but we were late booking because my father was sick, he died March 24,2009. After we booked our trip, our direct flight on Wed. with Transat filled up so they put on a direct flight on Tues. also.

 

[dennise]

Boncho - sorry to hear about your dad, went through the same with my father 2 years ago and my mother 3 years ago. We booked in July last year, hoping for the same rates this year.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I have flow direct to Orlando from Halifax in 2007 and 2009. Both times with airtransit (Canjet). I suspect they will not have their flights posted for months ... but I would not be surprised to see a sub $500 flight (with taxes in).

 

[Leafsgirl36]

Westjet posted their direct flights today from Halifax to Orlando. The direct flights are on Saturday and leave Halifax at 5:10pm.

 

[cdotla]

Unfortunately WJ ends their directs to Halifax before our departure on April 30 - however, I wasn't loving the evening departure time anyway.

In the last week AC changed the time for the direct from Halifax flight. The old schedule had the flight arriving late afternoon. Now it is changed to a 6:30am departure from Halifax with a 9:30am arrival in Orlando. Can't beat that!!!

Now to just wait until a great seat sale comes out so I can buy seats!

 

[cdotla]

PS - a little off topic, but who is going to McCartney tonite??!!! I can't wait!