Flight to Orlando Mid-March - Should I wait?

[targle]

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Orlando sometime in the March 9th-14th time frame. My dates are a little flexible, I could go one day sooner or come back one day later, but not much outside that.

I've been watching the prices for more than a month now and it doesn't seem like the prices have been much below about the $570 - $580 mark. I was figuring I could wait things out and get a really good deal on Air Canada, maybe something in the $300 - $400 range but it doesn't seem to be happening. I'm concerned that since the March 9th - 14th dates coincide with the school March breaks that there might not be a good deal to be had.

Air Canada just came out with a seat sale a couple of days ago that lasts until April 30th but it doesn't seem to have impacted my prices.

Westjet is running a sale now that ends in a couple of days, but it is only for flights up until March 5th. I'm hoping they'll come out with a new one after that.

Does anyone have an opinion on whether or not a better deal will come along? Should I bite the bullet with a $600-ish dollar flight or just keep on rolling those dice? :)


BTW: I've been using a bunch of different sites to check out the prices:
http://www.aircanada.com
http://www.westjet.com
http://www.travelocity.ca
http://www.expedia.ca
http://www.kayak.com

Thanks!

[ken_ll]

I think you are too late for a bargain during March break.

Fly from Syracuse, 3 1/2 hour drive, $6.50/day parking. Delta has a $250 (US) return fare SYR-MCO for March 9 - 13, March 8 - 14 is $290, tax/fees in. After the 14th, fares increase dramatically. Look at the savings if more than one person is travelling.

Flown many times from there, next flight in Feb. is from there also.

[targle]

I think you are too late for a bargain during March break.

I've been looking pretty mucy daily for probably at least two months now... I don't think there ever WERE any bargains for this time period. :(

Fly from Syracuse, 3 1/2 hour drive, $6.50/day parking. Delta has a $250 (US) return fare SYR-MCO for March 9 - 13, March 8 - 14 is $290, tax/fees in. After the 14th, fares increase dramatically. Look at the savings if more than one person is travelling.

I thought about Syracuse. But I'd rather spend an extra $300 than have to drive an extra 6 hours (round trip). Plus, there's dealing with the border (twice) and the possibility of bad weather...

I guess I'll wait a few more days and then take what I can get.

[webworm]

My sister booked back in October and she got fares for $190.00 leaving March 6 and returning March 16th including taxes return from Syracuse with jetblue since she lives in Ottawa as well.

I just checked and fares are anywhere from $99.00 and up each way depending when you travel.

I just checked Continental as well and if you leave March 10 and return the 14th it is $268.80 including taxes.

1 Adults (age 18 to 64) 226.80 CAD
Additional Taxes/Fees 42.00 CAD
Total Price 268.80 CAD



Flight Details:
Depart:
12:55 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 10, 2008
Syracuse, NY (SYR) Arrive:
2:24 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 10, 2008
New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty) Flight Time:
1 hr 29 mn OnePass Miles/
Elite Qualification:
500 /100% Flight: CO2450
Aircraft: Embraer RJ145
Fare Class: Economy (T)


Change Planes. Connect time in New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty) is 56 minutes .
Depart:
3:20 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 10, 2008
New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty) Arrive:
6:14 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 10, 2008
Orlando, FL (MCO) Flight Time:
2 hr 54 mn

Travel Time:
5 hr 19 mn OnePass Miles/
Elite Qualification:
938 /100%

Total Miles:
1,438 Flight: CO792
Aircraft: Boeing 757-300
Fare Class: Economy (T)



Continental flight 2450 operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. dba Continental Express.



Depart:
8:00 a.m.
Thu., Mar. 13, 2008
Orlando, FL (MCO) Arrive:
10:33 a.m.
Thu., Mar. 13, 2008
Cleveland, OH (CLE) Flight Time:
2 hr 33 mn OnePass Miles/
Elite Qualification:
895 /100% Flight: CO1051
Aircraft: Boeing 737-500
Fare Class: Economy (T)
Meal: Snack
No Special Meal Offered.


Change Planes. Connect time in Cleveland, OH (CLE) is 42 minutes .
Depart:
11:15 a.m.
Thu., Mar. 13, 2008
Cleveland, OH (CLE) Arrive:
12:24 p.m.
Thu., Mar. 13, 2008
Syracuse, NY (SYR) Flight Time:
1 hr 9 mn

Travel Time:
4 hr 24 mn OnePass Miles/
Elite Qualification:
500 /100%

Total Miles:
1,395

[webworm]

Actually Delta is $260.00US including taxes leaving March 9th and returning March 14th.

Syracuse, NY (SYR) to Orlando, FL (MCO) on Sun, 9 Mar 2008
10:35am
SYR 3:57pm
MCO 1-stop
Atlanta
(1 hr 21 min layover) 5 hr 22 min Delta 4566
CRJ 100
operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines
In-Flight ServicesCoach (U)
View Seats
Delta 828
Boeing 767-300
In-Flight ServicesCoach (U)
View Seats
Orlando, FL (MCO) to Syracuse, NY (SYR) on Fri, 14 Mar 2008
7:00am
MCO 12:34pm
SYR 1-stop
Atlanta
(1 hr 38 min layover) 5 hr 34 min Delta 1824
Boeing 757
In-Flight ServicesCoach (L)
View Seats
Delta 4791
CRJ 100
operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines
In-Flight ServicesCoach (L)
View Seats
From $198.00 (USD) round trip
To find this price, see below. Price per passenger (USD):
View fare rules
round trip
+ Taxes/Fees =


Price per passenger (USD):
View fare rules $218.00 round trip
+ $42.00 Taxes/Fees = $260.00

[targle]

I was able to find a return flight from Ottawa to Orlando for $390 with United. The flight on the way down is pretty much as good as I can get for my schedule and is under 5 hours total including a 1 hour layover in Washington DC. The layover on the way back is a bit long (3 hours) but I can deal with that.

Anybody know where I can get a good deal on an IPod touch so I can watch some downloaded TV shows during that long layover? :)

[rinse]

Southwest recently extended their flight availability to Aug 2008.

Was able to book Buffalo - Orlando for $200 per person, direct flight. Sailing on a royal caribbean cruise out of Port Canaveral in May.