Which would you pick?

[maxiesmom]

I need the help of all of you experienced travelers. I am trying to decide between different flights and I'm not sure which to choose. Please tell me what you think.

I am looking to fly from Grand Rapids Michigan to Orlando the first week of December. Sometimes we get a lot of snow by then. Other years nothing. So I am trying to take that into consideration. And it is making me nuts!

Option #1 Fly from Grand Rapids to Detroit. Then on to Orlando. A lot of options on flight times. And some of the cheapest fares. But then there is the worry about snow.

Option #2 Fly from Grand Rapids to Memphis, then on to Orlando. The only concern with this flight is the time. I really need to work a bit on departure day, and this flight leaves just before noon. So I would have to leave work by 10am at the latest I'm thinking. Keep in mind that some days I go in at 530 am, so this may work ok.

Option #3 Direct flight from Grand Rapis to Orlando. On Air Tran. You all probably know the problems with this one. Will the flight stay direct, and will it exist at all by December?

So what do you all think is the best choice? I really am having trouble deciding on this one. TIA!

Option #1 F

 

[NJRRK]

i chose the non-stop, in winter the fewer the stops the better.

 

[Inkmahm]

i chose the non-stop, in winter the fewer the stops the better.

Agree.

That said, my nonstop from Orlando to Milwaukee got changed to Orlando/Atlanta/Milwaukee when the nonstop flight changed to 2 hours later and that was too late for us. Originally, Airtran put us on an Orlando/Baltimore/Milwaukee flight but I changed it as it is mid-December and I'm betting on better weather in Atlanta than Baltimore if there is snow.

 

[GrammyJudy]

we go in Jan from Vt so i do nonstop...to avoid delays between flights as well as small planes that ice up more

 

[NancyIL]

I like AirTran, and I like non-stops to Orlando. )

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I'd always take a non-stop over anything else

 

[skiingfast]

I said #2.

Memphis doesn't have a lot of problems other than the weather which any airport could have. If it leaves early it has two bonuses. It is more likely to not be delayed leaving. It may be getting you to WDW sooner.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ok, looking at the poll resorts, no one seems to be concerned that Air Tran might cancel the non-stop flight?

That is my worry with booking Air Tran. That the non-stop flight will disappear. There are only 2 other flights out of Grand Rapids that day, and only 1 of them works for me at all. Am I worrying for nothing, do you think? Is there any way to check ahead of time how often Air Tran cancels that particular flight?

 

[NancyIL]

Ok, looking at the poll resorts, no one seems to be concerned that Air Tran might cancel the non-stop flight?

That is my worry with booking Air Tran. That the non-stop flight will disappear. There are only 2 other flights out of Grand Rapids that day, and only 1 of them works for me at all. Am I worrying for nothing, do you think? Is there any way to check ahead of time how often Air Tran cancels that particular flight?

This is what AirTran's site says about Grand Rapids - a new destination:

Grand Rapids, MI

Service began May 4, 2010.

AirTran Airways will begin new nonstop service to Gerald R. Ford International Airport from Orlando and Baltimore.

Michigan's second largest city is closer than ever with AirTran Airways' new nonstop service. Championship golf courses, top-notch fishing and an abundance of museums and entertainment venues await you in this gateway city to Michigan's West Coast. AirTran Airways is pleased to offer Business Class seating, Gogo® Inflight Internet and free XM Satellite Radio on every flight. Getting to Michigan's West Coast just got easier with AirTran Airways great low fares. Book your reservation today.

I don't think AirTran will drop the non-stop flight between now and December, although they may tinker with the time.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'd always choose the non stop, even if there's a chance they'll change it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Of course now that you all have me conviced to do the Air Tran flight, for some reason the seat assignment map won't pull up for it. But it will for all of the other flights. Hopefully that doesn't mean something is going in with it.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

If they do cancel the flight, or even change the times, you can get a full refund, so you don't need to worry if the other flight times are good for you.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

If they do cancel the flight, or even change the times, you can get a full refund, so you don't need to worry if the other flight times are good for you.

True, but sometimes by the time this happens, all other airlines are super high. This happened to us last Nov.