Why is Airfare So High This Year?

[Thumper1]

Last year we got airfare for our December cruise from Los Angeles to Orlando for $249 with United Air. This year I can't find anything on Travelocity or other web sites for less than $350 - $400. Does anyone know why the airfare is so expensive? I thought that the airlines were having problems because of 9/11 and the security situation. You would think the airfare would be more competitive and thus less costly.

 

[Kaa]

Air travel is picking up again and the airlines are trying to recoop from last year with higher fares. I am waiting to SWA to post the schedule beyond September 13th so I can see how much airfare will cost for my cruise.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

You should price the airfare from the cruise line, too. We fly from Ontario, CA, and the prices are pretty competitive. When you fly from the west coast, they put you up at the Hyatt in MCO for the night before the cruise. The air package includes the night in the hotel and transfers. The hotel room is probably worth $100 (although you may be able to get it cheaper on priceline), and the transfers are worth $46/person.

We did the math and didn't figure to save much from doing all the pieces ourselves. In addition, when DCL books your air, they are responsible for making flight changes, etc. if the ship is late. Our connections are generally good, we almost always have just a single stop in Dallas for about an hour, getting into MCO at about 5:00pm on Friday night. I like the convenience of having them deal with everything. I also like staying at the Hyatt the night before. It's right on the airport, no shuttle to take, and the bus gets you to the port pretty early in the morning, probably 11:00am or so.

 

[BeanoC]

I am experiencing the exact same thing. We flew out of San Jose, CA last year for LESS than a thousand dollars for the 4 of us! I can't find a thing now for less than $1,800.00 from either San Jose or LAX. We cruise in a little less than 6 months, so I figure I'll wait a while and see what happens. I don't want to pay almost double! I still plan to use Travelocity, as they have always given me great service and I doubt you'll find better fares. They seem to do a great job in finding the cheapest tickets. Maybe in a month or 2 they'll come down a bit...


'Beano'

 

[Thumper1]

Señor Ferrari -

Are there any places near the airport to get soft drinks, etc. to take on board?

Also does anyone know if the flight packages are available to DVC Members?

 

[4crusinransiers]

I got a great rate at pricline! From Seattle to orlando, all four of us
for less than 1,000.00!

 

[Kimber1963]

I think you can book Spiritair from LAX to O'Hare and then to Orlando. I think it's about $89 for each leg, so that would run your family about $360 per person. They also have "cyber specials" each week. Check out their website at Spiritair.com

 

[IrishCowboy]

I think there are a couple of factors involved with the higher airline prices.

1) Oil prices are up almost 30% since December but 'experts' are predicting they have topped out for the summer and shouldn't increase too much more.

2). After 9/11, nobody wanted to fly. The airlines were forced to drastically reduce prices last fall/winter to try to entice travelers to fly again. I don't think we'll ever see prices like they were last October - December.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Hi,
I purchased my airfare less than 2 weeks ago on Orbitz.com. We are paying $135 per person round trip from Las Vegas to Orlando during the month of May (16th-25th). I couldn't believe my eyes!
Bonnie

 

[lespaul55]

Flexibility helped me lower my airfare from San Diego. Disney wanted $553/person for airfare, transfers and the overnight stay prior to the cruise June 29. I checked airfare on Expedia using different combinations of dates and airports. Flying out of LA is usually cheaper and worth the 2 -3 hour car ride but this year it was more. Most fares were at least $500 which made Disney the better deal. However I found a $313 airfare on United, the only catch, we had to spend one more day in Fla and fly out Sunday instead of Saturday. The savings in airfare are paying for a stay at Hard Rock Hotel and a trip to Universal Studios in that extra time.
For a large group, we have 10 going, the transfers really add up. We are taking a stretch limo to the port instead of a Disney bus for about half the cost. With two cheap suites the night prior to the cruise, we are looking at $344/person versus Disney's $553, a savings of $2090!!

Leslie

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Thumper1,

You do bring up a drawback to this plan. While there is a "mall" at the airport in Orlando, I don't think you can buy bulk beverages there (i.e. a 12-pack of soda or beer). I didn't feel like carrying this across the country, so we went on board empty-handed. We did stock up a bit in St. Maarten for the rest of the cruise.

I suppose you could grab a cab and ask them to take you to/from a supermarket. For the few dollars the two of us would save by doing this, we didn't bother.

 

[sasha]

Thumper1,

I agree with Bonnie, try www.orbitz.com. I also live in Los Angeles, and just last night my dh & I purchased roundtrip tickets from LAX to Orlando on American Airlines for only $93 each way. And they're NON-STOP!!!

I wouldn't waste any time since fares that low usually go pretty quickly. We actually just got back from the 7-day Magic on Saturday, but the low air fares convinced us to go back later this year to try WDW.

Good luck!

 

[SJCSuzy]

I just got a fare-watcher alert from Travelocity....San Jose to Orlando $198 roundtrip. American started it but I'm sure the others will follow soon. Good until Sep 13th. Looks like the sales are starting for summer!

Good luck everybody,

 

[Roxie A]

The deals are out there you just have to be checking for them EVERYDAY. Two weeks ago I booked tickets from Charlotte NC to San Diego for $157 RTP. The fares were there for only 1 day.

 

[dbcruise]

What airline or where did you find that ? Thanks doreen

 

[Roxie A]

That was on Continental, American or United one had it for 200 a day or 2 later.