Flight help.

[sixshot19]

We live near Toronto and have always flown out of Toronto. This year we plan on a 2 hour drive to Buffalo and fly to WDW from there. For 4 of us it is a savings in excess of 1000$.

My question to you is this, I am not at all familiar with the american airlines. Is there some I should steer clear of, and is there some that are exceptional? We are looking for an affordable flight, but are willing to spend a bit more because it will probably still be way cheaper then Toronto.

Thx for any help.

[McLiberal8]

Most of the airlines are pretty similar. I have never had good luck with American Airlines (AA) so I avoid them. Delta has always been good, for me.

My airline of choice is Southwest. They are usually cheaper than other major airlines, and they don't charge for bags like the others do. They are also not listed on any of the major OTA sites like Expedia or Orbitz, so you have to book direct from site. Another 'underdog' airline that i like is Frontier.

[Buttercup]

Hi, fellow Southern Ontario Intercotee!
We actually don't like flying out of Buffalo because there aren't a lot of direct flights to Orlando (and I hate transferring to another plane). So we always fly out of Detroit. I think it has a much nicer airport as well.
It would probably add an extra hour to your drive though if you went through Detroit but it's definitely worth it if you want to avoid a layover. Either way, you're right, it's a LOT cheaper than flying out of Toronto. As soon as it becomes an "international" flight the price goes waaaay up so if you can drive across the border, it's much cheaper.
Anyway, I don't think you need to steer clear of any airline in particular. Usually we drive to Florida but we'll be flying Delta in a few weeks instead... just to change things up.
Actually, over the past year I've taken several flights on other vacations and I always end up picking Delta flights, just by coincidence. Never had a problem with them! But as I say, I don't think you need to steer clear of any one in particular.
Most likely your choices are going to be Delta, American Airlines, or a smaller charter company like Air Tran. I don't think Southwest has many flights from Buffalo to Orlando but I could be wrong.
You can sign up at websites like AirfareWatchdog if you wanna keep track of when good seat sales come up with all airlines. Then when you're ready to book, we usually do Orbitz or Expedia.

Hope that helps!

[mydisneygirls]

Jet Blue flys direct from Buffalo to Orlando. I think Southwest might also. I would avoid Delta, American, etc. because of the extra "fees" they charge, like baggage fees (Air Tran I've heard charges you to check in at the counter instead of checking in ahead). $25 per bag time 4 is $100 each way. I always had flown Delta in the past from Boston, but I refuse to pay for my luggage to fly and now I fly Jet Blue. Always check prices on a Tuesday or Wednesday as they are the lowest and don't book too far in advance. The price goes way down a couple months before your trip.

[DizneyRox]

Delta used to change flights like underwear. I haven't heard people complain lately, maybe people have just stopped flying them...

We fly Southwest, it's really the only airline I check. They have never let me down, so I'm in no rush to switch, I'm pretty loyal like that.

If you're going solely by price, don't forget to include checked bag fees, carry-on rules, and also parking fees at the airport. I've seen anywhere between $50 and $100 per week just for parking at our local airport.

[Ed]

Most likely your choices are going to be Delta, American Airlines, or a smaller charter company like Air Tran. I don't think Southwest has many flights from Buffalo to Orlando but I could be wrong.

The only airlines offering non-stop BUF/MCO flights are Southwest (3 daily) and JetBlue (2 daily). The other airlines operating out of BUF will only have connecting flights out of Washington or Atlanta.

Just to clarify, AirTran is a regular scheduled airline, not a charter company. In fact, they are now owned and operated by Southwest. As their merger progresses, expect to see the AirTran name go away.

[sixshot19]

Thanks so much all, some I hadn't heard of. Let the planning begin.

[DizneyRox]

Just to clarify, AirTran is a regular scheduled airline, not a charter company. In fact, they are now owned and operated by Southwest. As their merger progresses, expect to see the AirTran name go away.

And prices go up as well. People are seeing with less competition now, Southwest fares are creeping up. This might be one of those markets it happens with.

BTW - Southwest seems to be on the few months before flight is the best time to by cycle. I think they switch it up, used to be earlier is better, but lately, as you approach your date, the fares seem to drop.

[Fangorn]

Not sure what your dates are, but right now it looks like Southwest has the best prices for flights from Buffalo to Orlando in Jun/July. $134 each way. They do have 9 flights/day to Orlando (3 of them nonstop) and 6 flights/day back (3 of them nonstop).

And if you happen to be going in February, there's a $99 special today only.

Steve

[brivers222]

We always fly delta now... We have the Delta Skymiles Gold Card so we always get 1st bag free.... But we like going first class so that now allots us 3-70lb bags free every trip. Plus we get 1.5x miles on our card so then we can get even more money off future flights.

[mickeyman42]

oh you silly southern ontario people, don't know how good you have it! able to fly direct to anywhere you want, and you still drive 2 hours away. I'm only joking as I would too to save $1000, but when you have to pay $4000 to fly 4 people to Orlando and you only have 2 options (air canada and westjet) and you have to have at least 1 connection, if not 2 then you become pretty envious of anyone who lives around toronto. Ok thats my NL rant over with!

[sixshot19]

Yes but you get the beautiful east coast sights. My DW is from Nova Scotia so I do envy you, 2 stop overs and all eh.

[mom2morgan]

*sigh* Being 2 hours north of Calgary, even driving to the States to fly is not "do-able". I bet I could save a ton of money if I could! Wouldn't even know what city would by the best one to try to drive to....

[Janmac]

*sigh* Being 2 hours north of Calgary, even driving to the States to fly is not "do-able". I bet I could save a ton of money if I could! Wouldn't even know what city would by the best one to try to drive to....

Definitely a lack of airport choices in the US south of Calgary. You could drive all day to Helena, MT for flights to Orlando. Spokane, WA seems to have better prices but that's another couple of hours more driving on worse roads.

For mid-May I saw $259 one way from Helena and $150 something to $218 one way from Spokane on Kayak. Was just messing around and didn't notice airlines or how many stops.

Jan