Whats considered a good price for flights out of Ottawa?

[JustTJ]

As I'll be travelling alone with my youngest son for our Dream trip, and having never had to book flights before, what is considered a good price and whats too much? If we don't cruise till Sept. When should I book our flights. This part, is seemingly becoming overwhelming for me, as I have no idea how to do this. We have always driven down in the past, but my DH and other children are not coming on THIS trip, and of course, it's too far to drive on my own.

 

[mtmbyck]

I found flights out of Ottawa limited. AirTransat and Westjet had direct. You should find them for about 450 tax include (I am basing this on our March Break flights). I could not find sat/sun departures so we ended up leaving from Montreal.

 

[capitalmom]

Prices out of Ottawa seem to go up and down a lot, so it's really kind of a crapshoot... We're flying to MCO on Feb. 10 for a cruise leaving on the 12th, on Westjet, and paid $107 per person plus taxes (which was pretty amazing!). Normally, a "good deal" would be in the $129 to $149 range, but occasionally you can get a fare for around $100, especially if you can bit a bit flexible on dates. We originally planned to fly on the 11th, but it was about $200 more per person on that day for whatever reason, so we decided to go the night before. We booked about 4 months in advance, and watched the fares pretty carefully for about a month before that.

 

[ccudmore]

Lowest I've seen is $69 each way before taxes. Don't dismiss the option of driving to Syracuse or Plattsburgh to get cheap flights. We flew out of Plattsburgh last October for $150 return including taxes.

 

[JustTJ]

Thanks everyone.
I just realized my DH's Cousin works for Westjet here in the city, I wonder if she can help to notify me when a deal is up.

I had thought of driving to Syracuse. It's an early morning flight I want, so that would mean driving the day before and staying at a hotel. Thats not a big deal, but then I start adding up the gas to drive there and back, a hotel stay times maybe two (if I need to stay in a hotel again on the trip back, depending on what time flight I could get), and meals, and current prices out of syracuse. I would save about $200.00 total, and I'm wondering if that $200 expense is worth the no hassel to have my DH drive us to the airport here and fly from here. I started a booklet yesterday with the different flight search engines I've found, as well as individual airlines, each gets a single page in my book. I'm checking the flights a few times a day and marking them down so I can compare and see I guess when there is a good deal. Currently out of Ottawa, the lowest I can get (using expedia.ca) is $1076.26, Return, for two, taxes and fees included. The Cheapest out of SYR now is $594.32 for the same, but thats on Delta airlines, so to cover their baggage fees, I'd need add almost $100.00 more Return for baggage costs (gee when did airlines start charging to check your luggage?)

I'll add Plattsburg to my book, thanks for that. Is that Allegiant that flies out of there? Right now they have nothing available for Sept, but maybe those dates just haven't been released yet. I'll keep watching.

It's a headace to plan this part. But once it's DONE, I will assume it will be smooth sailing from there

 

[ccudmore]

I just realized my DH's Cousin works for Westjet here in the city, I wonder if she can help to notify me when a deal is up.

On Thursdays Westjet has 2-3 hour sales that are only advertised on Twitter - each week to a different destination. Last week's sale was Florida (including Orlando) for $69 (plus taxes) each way. But the flights were for the spring.

I'll add Plattsburg to my book, thanks for that. Is that Allegiant that flies out of there? Right now they have nothing available for Sept, but maybe those dates just haven't been released yet. I'll keep watching.

Yes, it's Allegiant. Took just under 3 hours to drive to the airport from our house. The airport is tiny and has free parking. Took maybe 20 minutes from the time we parked the car to the time we were at the gate. The flight times for us in October worked out really well - we picked the kids up from school at lunch time (they had no idea they were going) and that gave us plenty of time to make it to the flight. I've seen the fares from Plattsburgh to MCO as low as $19 each way on Allegiant. Just have to check the site daily as the date gets closer. If you're going in September that's a low season so you may be able to get a good deal. Only downside is that they fly into Sanford, not MCO, but we wanted to rent a car anyways. We were at our disney resort by 11pm.

 

[JustTJ]

On Thursdays Westjet has 2-3 hour sales that are only advertised on Twitter - each week to a different destination. Last week's sale was Florida (including Orlando) for $69 (plus taxes) each way. But the flights were for the spring.


Yes, it's Allegiant. Took just under 3 hours to drive to the airport from our house. The airport is tiny and has free parking. Took maybe 20 minutes from the time we parked the car to the time we were at the gate. The flight times for us in October worked out really well - we picked the kids up from school at lunch time (they had no idea they were going) and that gave us plenty of time to make it to the flight. I've seen the fares from Plattsburgh to MCO as low as $19 each way on Allegiant. Just have to check the site daily as the date gets closer. If you're going in September that's a low season so you may be able to get a good deal. Only downside is that they fly into Sanford, not MCO, but we wanted to rent a car anyways. We were at our disney resort by 11pm.

That would work for me as I'm renting a car. I was going to use DCL transfers to get back to the airport after the cruise, but I wouldn't mind renting a car again, if I could get really cheap airfare!! I'll definately be watching those fares!

 

[bankr63]

For September, I'm pretty sure your only option for direct is AC. WJ and AT run their flights during the snowbird season, and September is a bit early. That said, your price should be better as it is not a popular time to fly. I would hold out for a decent seat sale. AC puts them on regularly for North American destinations during the shoulder seasons.

 

[danield]

You can also check Expedia and Travelocity. If you don't mind stopping over in Washington, Philadelphia or Baltimore, price are in the 150$ CAN each way (from Ottawa), including taxes. Of course you would be flying Delta, United or US Airways. I saw return flight as low as 104$ last week (taxes in) from Ottawa. Prices are during Spring Break (mid-Feb to mid-March)

dan