What the heck are with flight prices!!

[thebigman65]

I went last year during spring break (we are going March 12 to 19) and booked at this time. I got 4 tickets for around $1500 out of Pearson. I can't find anything less than $3,600!

I checked Buffalo too.....about $3000, so not much saving there when you take into account gas, hotel, etc.

Am I dreaming or are flights up this year? Or am I booking to early/late?

 

[webworm]

We live in Oakvillle and also fly out of Pittsburgh and Detroit. With AirTran for those dates is $264 inc taxes for nonstop flights out of Pittsburgh or $1056.00 for 4 tickets. From Rochester with Delta to Melbourne it is $355.00 with 1 stop or $1420.

 

[RainbowsMist]

I went last year during spring break (we are going March 12 to 19) and booked at this time. I got 4 tickets for around $1500 out of Pearson. I can't find anything less than $3,600!

I checked Buffalo too.....about $3000, so not much saving there when you take into account gas, hotel, etc.

Am I dreaming or are flights up this year? Or am I booking to early/late?

I don't think you're dreaming ..last year we went April 26 - May 9..we flew non-stop from Halifax with A/C...$2200 for 5 of us and that was flying on Sundays!! I've been watching the fare REALLY close for our upcoming March trip (pretty much same dates as you) and flights are out of this world! Anywhere from $3500 - $5000!!
I ended up giving up and decided we would drive to Boston and fly from there..I just booked a couple of days ago with Air Tran 5 non-stop tickets $1000 R/T (includes everything ie: seat assignments etc)...we did change our dates a bit though March 14-24. Leaving on the 12th was just too expensive no matter who I looked at flying with from anywhere. We did this (fly from Boston) in 2007 and it really wasn't THAT bad. I know we would have rathered drive 40 minutes to the airport than 10 1/2 hours however, I can't justify spending that kind of money for just flights!!

Best of luck!

 

[greenclan67]

I was able, back at the end of August, when Airtran started releasing there fares, get flights down to Orlando on March 12th, for $89 on a Monday morning, for about a 6 hour window! I didn't book my flight home, cause it was showing at over $200. Then the next day (Tues) morning, my flight home on the 19th of March, came up at $89 for only about an hour! I was very lucky and grabbed both flights on 2 different days, for $89! I haven't seen them like that since!

 

[ChisJo]

I don't fly out of Pearson (I live in Edmonton), but I go to Orlando every year (last year excluded). The first time I flew, we paid $700 in 1999 each. Since then, I haven't paid over $450 return (all taxes included). We plan on going in may and I cannot find a flight under $700 again. The cheapest I flew was return for $350....I obsess about checking every day and haven't been able to find anything as of yet. So, yeah...I agree. Flight prices are crazy. And you guys in the east usually get the best prices...its usually the west that gets kind of pooched over.

 

[CanadianPaco]

I jumped at $99 from Detroit to Orlando back in Aug when I booked our xmas trip. I held off on return and found $89 return with Delta. Both at great times, both direct flights. I don't even look at T.O. anymore - not when I can go to Buffalo or Detroit.

 

[C&B Young]

I went last year during spring break (we are going March 12 to 19) and booked at this time. I got 4 tickets for around $1500 out of Pearson. I can't find anything less than $3,600!

I checked Buffalo too.....about $3000, so not much saving there when you take into account gas, hotel, etc.

Am I dreaming or are flights up this year? Or am I booking to early/late?

From what I've seen with Toronto flights lately, prices seem to be low about 6 months out then they go up, then you'll start to see prices drop again here & there at around the 3 month out mark. This was the pattern with our December flight, and a February trip we're looking at also. Set up an email alert or check the websites every day, because a couple of times I saw prices drop in the morning and they were already back up mid-day!

 

[minnie56]

AC had a great seat sale which sadly I think ended on the 16th..managed to snag some flights for Jan and March for $278 pp incl tx.

Maybe something will come along!!

 

[RainbowsMist]

Check today! There's some SWEET prices right now for our March dates!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I don't fly out of Pearson (I live in Edmonton), but I go to Orlando every year (last year excluded). The first time I flew, we paid $700 in 1999 each. Since then, I haven't paid over $450 return (all taxes included). We plan on going in may and I cannot find a flight under $700 again. The cheapest I flew was return for $350....I obsess about checking every day and haven't been able to find anything as of yet. So, yeah...I agree. Flight prices are crazy. And you guys in the east usually get the best prices...its usually the west that gets kind of pooched over.

We head down to Orlando twice a year in May & Oct (also flying out of Edmonton) and sadly have seen the airfares steadily increase in price each year. We've found that usually the US carriers have better deals (and most often better schedules for us) than either AC or WJ. We've also been lucky to catch a few seat sales but lately with flight prices being so high, we feel it may be better to sell out a few extra bucks and fly first class.

 

[ChisJo]

After voicing my disappointment yesterday about flight prices, I just checked this morning, and holy moly.....expedia has flights from Edmonton listed for $398 return....I thinks we's be booking today!

I always factor into the price the cost of bags now to see if its worth it. For example, delta has a flight for $398 return, but Air Canada has one listed for $440 (completely on AC the whole way, not United (hate this company) or American, or Delta). I have to consider that bags are $35 to check, and another $25 for a second bag. For minimal $70 extra, its worth it to take the AC flight and pay the extra $40, despite how the $398 looks more appealing at first.

Since AC still allows the first bag free, it is more appealing to me. Plus, they have the video players, and that makes a nicer flight compared to United (did I mention I absolutely hate this airline?!?!?).

 

[dis_guy]

After voicing my disappointment yesterday about flight prices, I just checked this morning, and holy moly.....expedia has flights from Edmonton listed for $398 return....I thinks we's be booking today!

I always factor into the price the cost of bags now to see if its worth it. For example, delta has a flight for $398 return, but Air Canada has one listed for $440 (completely on AC the whole way, not United (hate this company) or American, or Delta). I have to consider that bags are $35 to check, and another $25 for a second bag. For minimal $70 extra, its worth it to take the AC flight and pay the extra $40, despite how the $398 looks more appealing at first.

Since AC still allows the first bag free, it is more appealing to me. Plus, they have the video players, and that makes a nicer flight compared to United (did I mention I absolutely hate this airline?!?!?).

I hear ya, I hear ya! Lots of people don't care for United but to be fair, I've flown with them probably 15 times in the last few years and found them to be overall about the same as most others. You don't have to look too far for those who say the very same things about Air Canada.

The BIG reason I like United out of Edmonton is clearing US customs right off the bat. Been through that Pearson connection with customs way too many times to ever do it again. We don't have small kids and we always travel with our own entertainment anyways so that doesn't matter.

I would be tempted to try WestJet's nonstop service sometimes in the future and that's from someone who HATES red eye flights!

The great thing is that there are a decent number of choices flying to WDW from Edmonton so everyone can find something to suit their tastes. I'm sure very few people actually like 6:30 AM departures as much as I do. Would be nice to have that cross border option that our southern Ontario friends have, though!

 

[dis_guy]

We head down to Orlando twice a year in May & Oct (also flying out of Edmonton) and sadly have seen the airfares steadily increase in price each year. We've found that usually the US carriers have better deals (and most often better schedules for us) than either AC or WJ. We've also been lucky to catch a few seat sales but lately with flight prices being so high, we feel it may be better to sell out a few extra bucks and fly first class.

One thing I've had very good luck with in the past is comparing United.ca's price with what AirCanada.com has for the same dates and flights on United (they're listed along with the regular AC flights). On the last few occasions, I've saved at least a few hundred dollars (flights for 2) doing this. You can then use your eticket number on the United site to get at your reservation to select seats, do online check-in, etc. Of course if United is cheaper, I buy on their site.

Either way I get my Aeroplan points.

 

[ChisJo]

I hear ya, I hear ya! Lots of people don't care for United but to be fair, I've flown with them probably 15 times in the last few years and found them to be overall about the same as most others. You don't have to look too far for those who say the very same things about Air Canada.

The BIG reason I like United out of Edmonton is clearing US customs right off the bat. Been through that Pearson connection with customs way too many times to ever do it again. We don't have small kids and we always travel with our own entertainment anyways so that doesn't matter.

The biggest reason I have for completely hating United is that they have now lost my bags on 2 separate occasions! To be fair, one was because we got grounded in Chicago and our flight had to be changed to the next day. BUT, the customer service was terrible, and in fact, we ended up finding our own way home...we went from flight kiosk to flight kiosk trying to get home because United wasn't going to do anything for us. They were basically, sorry! We'll get to you when we get to you. Then, it took them 2 weeks to find my bags, and I had to go back to the airport to get them! Angering. My best friend actually had her bags lost from United and they never found them - zero apology given. The dollar amount of the contents in her bag were well over $1000, and United only gave her $250 (she did have insurance though, but that wasn't the point).

We flew with Air Canada to the UK last year, and they lost my bag. They were apologizing like crazy! They found my bags within 24 hours, and then had them delivered to my door. And, as an apology, they gave me 20% off my next flight. That is customer service.

 

[damo]

We've had trouble with United and cancelled flights and them pretty much deserting you when you are scrambling to get to your destination. Then having the nerve to charge an extra $50 to get you on a flight after they have cancelled your first flight.

 

[thebigman65]

Check today! There's some SWEET prices right now for our March dates!

I checked AC, Westjet, expedia, Itravel2000......didnt find anything, What did you find??

 

[RainbowsMist]

I checked AC, Westjet, expedia, Itravel2000......didnt find anything, What did you find??

Both West Jet and AC had non stop from Halifax for under $370 R/T (taxes incl) for March! I missed a one-way for $160.00 (taxes incl)..by the click of a button. From the time I minimized my page to check a car rental and go back they were gone I even called West Jet and A/C to double check. A/C still has one non-stop for $178 but I need 5. West Jet was offering 1 stop in Toronto for the same price but they too sold out in minutes.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We've always had good luck with Delta, and not having in-flight entertainment really doesn't bother us as we always bring our own anyway.

We only flew United once ... and once was enough. It was a weekend trip to Indianapolis that we booked through AC, and when we arrived at the Indianapolis airport to check in for our flight home, the guy at the desk couldn't find our reservation. After checking in his computer for a few minutes he told us we had canceled our return flight. Luckily I had printed out all the confirmations, etc., and after what seemed like an eternity he suddenly found our reservation. We didn't even get a "sorry" ... he just seemed indifferent and uncaring about the whole situation.

 

[chimo2u]

I tried posting this last night....after a long reply, POOF my post was gone, so I am going to try this again and hope it goes better this time!

Our Original travel dates of August 20-29 my son (14) and I where booked to go to WDW. We had booked flights on WJ, direct from Calgary (we live in Edmonton) so we where prepared to drive 3 hours down to Calgary the night before, stay in a hotel and stay a night in a hotel upon the return. The price was amazing.....$177 ea per leg, and I never saw them that cheap ever again....they where pricing out around $250 ea per leg every time I looked.

Fast forward....We ended up having to postpone our trip due to financial obligations, but rescheduled for this Februray. I looked all the time for decent priced flights with good schedules, nothing to be found....then one day WJ had a $199 direct flight from EDMONTON!! Yes, it is a red eye, depart at 12:45 am, but we get in at 7:45 am to Orlando and have a full day at Disney to enjoy! I was happy just to find a flight that was affordable, direct and from Edmonton!! No need for a 3 hr. drive to Calgary, yippeee!!! So, I snagged 2 of those flights and then used Aeroplan miles for our return flights as we could not find a good price/schedule for return with WJ.

AC had a 50% off sale on executive class flights for a short time.....I thought, hey, we've never flown first class, why not take advantage (this is a long haul flight for us....5 hours long!) so I booked a 50% off executive class ticket for me and used aero plan points for my son's ticket (they where only asking 25,000 points for an EXECUTIVE ticket!!!) it usually costs that many points for a plain economy class ticket! I paid $700 for my ticket and $60 for taxes for my son's ticket....but I figured, not bad for first class, if we don't try it now, we'll probably never be able to fly first class again due to costs....besides, if I divide that by 2, it's as if I paid $350 ea for our tickets......Good rationalizing, eh??!!!!

The splurge is a surprise for DS, he's going to be pretty excited when we walk on the plane and settle in the first class section!!!! it will help take the bite out of leaving our beloved WDW.....

In the end, I agree, that prices are seeming crazy right now....almost as bad as last spring when the prices where going up for high gas prices!!! I have a wedding to go to over July long weekend.....it's pretty bad when tickets are quoting at $1,500.00 to fly 1 province over (AB to BC). I hope those prices come down some, as we HAVE to fly due to our work schedules...we only have the weekend to get over and have to be back home to work on August 2. It's DBiL/SiL's wedding , so we HAVE to attend! I am hoping we might see $85 one way tickets sometime again closer to the summer, otherwise it's going to be a mighty expensive weekend for us!!!
I am glad that my tickets are bought for my Disney trip, it's a major sigh of relief when that part is covered, that's for sure!!!

 

[Shir Kahn]

chimo2u, I always select and copy my posts when I type out a long one. It's saved me a ton of aggravation from posts that go poof!

We always fly out of Fargo instead of Winnipeg, as it almost always saves us at least $800 for the four of us even when you add in gas and a hotel for the night. Prices out of Winnipeg are beyond ridiculous, I don't know how they stay in business.

Having said that, I just checked for fun and there are $400 per person roundtrip seats with Delta out of Winnipeg for our dates....