Airfare

[DVC2004]

Is airfare terrible this year or what? We fly out of Chicago and because of where we live, we actually can do Ohare Airport, Midway, or Milwaukee. Typically we fly Airtran out of Chicago for 4 , it usually is about $650- $750 total the past few trips. Going back I know it was even less but I am trying to just look at the last 2 -3 trips to Orlando since 2011. We are looking for a shor trip in October and even with "sale fares" on Airtran/Southwest the lowest I can find is $145 each way for $1159 total. Geez! I am wondering if I should still hold off. Used to be October was an off season time. Driving isn't an option for us this time because we are short on vacation time. I guess if we are going we don't have too much of a choice.

[faline]

I've found airfares have increased considerably over the last 5-7 years - and that's even before I speak about add-on fees for luggage etc!! We used to be able to think about doing a long weekend fairly inexpensively - I don't even try to plan such a thing unless it's to a drivable location!

[vicster]

The Southwest flight I want in October out of Midway is $303.00 each one way - praying for it to go down.

[Capt_redshirt]

It has gone up in 09 i took delta and it was only 300 both ways now if i took delta its be nearly 600 im going jet blue which is only 400 with tax you take what you can get.... but south west and jet blue seem to have the most deal options.

[NJGIRL]

It is terrible IMO this year. From Philly we usually paid $200 to $220 for round trip to Orlando......This year I paid over $400 per person round trip. That's crazy for a two hour trip.

[CanadianWDWFan]

Flying out of Buffalo used to save us a bunch. Lately its approaching $400pp. Oh for the good old days when you could get return fares for under $200 taxes in.

[DVC2004]

It's funny because I have made 2 round trip flights this year and the planes are completely full! And then yes, add bag fees etc. We're trying to extend it out our stay a little longer so we can justify the price for a 5 night stay...

[mrte62]

Higher fares. less flights and/or smaller planes, baggage charges, paying for "special seats" and food .... that is the present and future .....

[Aurora]

What seems to be happening is that there are not as many fare sales or discounted fares anymore. I've seen fares stay the same across the board on all airlines for months, and they're all costing about the same. Apparently no one is hurting for competition, or lack thereof. Even Spirit and Southwest Airlines are charging the same as the big boys.

I don't know about October. It's big convention season. I'd wait another week or two, but if you start to see fares go up even more, you may have to bite the bullet.