When is the best time to book flights from IND to ORLANDO??

[mom2my3kids]

I have never flown before, my husband has for bowling tournaments and say's its the way to go. We drove last year 17 hours stuck in a car with three kids, no thank you. So anyway this year we are planning on flying from Indy to Orlando Sept 28-October 6th. Now what time should I start looking for the best deals on flights. Is there a better day to fly out on and a better day to fly back on. Right now we have flying out on friday and returning on saturday.

 

[Gary M]

http://www.indianapolisairport.com/

The above has all the airlines that fly out of IND. As of now Northwest, Southwest and AirTran have non-stop flights to MCO(Orlando). I made reservations from IND to MCO for Jan. 28-Feb. 2 for $117 r/t a few weeks ago. If you keep on top of it, you should get a good fare from IND. The $117 isn't always available, but something around $150 to $200 is very likely. Wait until Southwest has come out with their fares and the prices for all 3 non stop airlines should be good within a few days.

Most of the time Tues and Wed are the least expensive days to fly.

 

[Angelrider]

I booked on 1/4 for a 1/16-24 trip to MCO. I was shocked at how inexpensive the flight was -- 4 tickets was a total of $469. I don't know if that's common or not. I think it's a little less than we paid for our 5/06 flight.

We did considered driving to WDW --we're 50 mi N of Indpls -- and decided it just would not be worth the craziness with 2 preschoolers. It helped me feel better about that decision to get such an awesome rate on the flight.

In May 06 we got a better rate through Southwest. This time, the cost was identical between Northwest & Southwest. We chose SWA b/c they offered a later non-stop flight from MCO.

 

[timandlesley]

I currently can find 177 round trip for our July trip from IND to MCO. Do you know when Southwest will release July rates, the wait is killing me?
Lesley

 

[Bronte]

We like North West the best for IND to MCO ... I take the morning flight down and the evening flight back (they do have one that leaves after 7 pm which is great for us because that means Magaical Express does not pick us up till 5:00, thus giving us almost a full day at the parks upon departure.)
I flew SW once but really did not like the fact that we did not have a choice about out seats ... just get there early and hope for the best (I personally like picking my seats 90 days in advance and knowing that I will sit with my kids and husband.)
I also like NW because on our last trip we were able to check in our luggage and get our boarding passes right there at the resort the morning of departure ... that saved time and hassel at the airport. You can only do that with a few airlines and I am not sure that southwest or airtran is one of them.

 

[timandlesley]

Thanks for the positive NWA report. They are actually the ones I'm finding the cheapest with right now and you're right, times are PERFECT. They have one departing at 9:15 from IND and then on our return we don't leave MCO until 7:25 which I agree is PERFECT for a final day in the parks. the only thing I have a question on, is online it says "# of adult tickets" , what about booking kids tickets online?
Lesley

 

[LauraLea]

We use the SW morning flight out of IND and fly NW back. This way we save a little $ and can still use ME coming into MCO.

I like using NW coming home so we can check our luggage at the resort and get our boarding passes early in the day, then take the late NW flight home.

Laura

 

[timandlesley]

If you do this how does magical express work?Never thought of this option : )
Lesley

 

[Bronte]

I am not sure if there is a difference between adult and child ... perhaps you could call NWA to confirm that but do not order you tickets via phone or I think there might be an extra charge for that.
Good Luck and Have a GREAT Vacation

 

[timandlesley]

I am not sure if there is a difference between adult and child ... perhaps you could call NWA to confirm that but do not order you tickets via phone or I think there might be an extra charge for that.
Good Luck and Have a GREAT Vacation

Thanks, does anyone else know, have you bought NWA tickets online and bought "adult" tickets for children? They will both be in seats.
Also, based on what I've read on the boards today,looks like Southwest doesn't participate in Disney's MAgical Express and NWA does, correct??
Lesley

 

[LauraLea]

All airlines participate in the incoming flights for ME. So you are OK there using SW.

It is the Resort Luggage Check and Boarding Passes that have limited participating airlines. SW does not, but NW does. We have to travel with 2 sets of golf clubs. We like to rent a car at the Dolphin and return it at the airport. This way we can rent a much smaller car since we do not have to get so much luggage into it.

Laura

 

[gw_lit]

the only thing I have a question on, is online it says "# of adult tickets" , what about booking kids tickets online?
Lesley

The discounted fares are only available as adult tickets. If you can get a "child's ticket" it is usually a discount off of the full-fare, unrestricted price... in other words, a "child's ticket" almost always costs more than an online "adult" ticket.

 

[RoadTripFanatic]

Typically most airlines in the states do not offer a childs fare. ATA used to offer a kids/senior fare for special promos. Usually the only discount fare you can purchase is if your child is 2 and under and is not required to sit in a seat. In that case they might sell you a seat at a discounted rate. I booked through nwa and purchased the adult seat for my child. I love flying NWA from Indy. I typically take the 9:15 nonstop in the morning and my return flight is the 7:55 non-stop in the evening. DH is flying Southwest and is flying for $110. SWA doesn't post their fares until 4 months in advance.(give or take a little)

 

[DJT]

$110 for RT on SW? Wow! How did he get that? We check Louisville and Indy and haven't seen that kind of fare for a long time. If I could get that fare, I'd go again!

 

[RoadTripFanatic]

$110 for RT on SW? Wow! How did he get that? We check Louisville and Indy and haven't seen that kind of fare for a long time. If I could get that fare, I'd go again![/QUOT

Southwest has a fare program called "Ding." You download it onto your computer and they send you special "Ding" fares. At random points during the day they will send out special flights. Occasionally you will get them for Orlando. Typically they are only 4-6 weeks in advance. When you download the program from their website a "jet tail" with the southwest colors on it appears down at the bottom of your computer screen.(I dont' know what that part is called...sorry.) When there is a ding a little envelope appears and you click on it. They are for a limited time and limited quantities. I hope this helps.

 

[DJT]

I have Ding, too, but I've not seen a fare like that in quite a while. We used to get fares for that but not for a long time. I'll keep watching though.

 

[Gary M]

I'm flying from IND to MCO r/t Jan. 28-Feb. 2 on NWA and paid a total of $117 per ticket. I made the reservations on Dec. 16.

 

[RoadTripFanatic]

I just checked and DH did book his ticket the second week of November. Good luck! I hope some pop up soon.

 

[DJT]

I guess I'll start checking NW as well as SW. It's a two hour drive to Indy for us but it would be worth it for a $117 fare. Indy is typically cheaper than Louisville. I don't know why but it is.

 

[Angelrider]

Another note here... I found that going directly to an airline's website (rather than using something like Expedia or Orbitz).