Posts Tagged ‘airline’

Passengers caught in perfect storm of airline inflexibility

Passengers caught in perfect storm of airline inflexibility
The East Coast blizzard shows the U.S. air-travel system is far less resilient than it used to be, with airlines imposing pre-emptive cancellations and now struggling to get back on schedule with thousands of passengers stranded.

Read more on Seattle Times

Editorial: Good news and bad news for airline passengers

Editorial: Good news and bad news for airline passengers
It’s cheaper, but now you are paying a different price.

Read more on The Grand Rapids Press

Airline Fares Climb as Some Passengers Choose to Drive

There’s predominantly bad news for travelers intending to fly on business or on vacation this summer, according to a recent article appearing in U.S. News & World Report. Not only has the number of delayed flights risen, but so, too, have the number of passengers impacted per plane. For some, the news was worse than for others. Evaluating major airports using a combination of the percentage of flights delayed and the average load of departing aircraft, the U.S. News article branded Detroit’s Wayne County Airport as the nations “most miserable airport”.

Official Department of Transportation numbers paint a frustrating picture for Motown’s frequent fliers. Thirty-nine percent of flights at Detroit leave the tarmac late. Combined with an average load factor of just under seventy-seven percent – meaning that passenger flights leaving Detroit are nearly 77 percent full – Detroit’s airport offers the most misery to the largest number of people when flights are delayed.

Because I live near Detroit and make the occasional business trip to nearby Chicago or Cleveland, these figures got me thinking about the advantages – if any – of traveling by car to these destinations. With the help of some other tips in the article, it was quite easy for me to price and then compare the cost of driving and flying to each of these cities.

Step One in the process was to pay a visit to fuelcostcalculator.com.

Maintained by the American Automobile Association (AAA), this website asks you to supply your departure point and final destination along with the make, model and year of manufacture of your car. Using MPG estimates for your particular vehicle and the average gas price for your neck of the woods, AAA’s fuel cost calculator rapidly calculates the overall distance, the amount of fuel required and cost of that fuel for a typical drive from let’s say – Detroit to Chicago. In my case, I learned that I could expect to consume 10.58 gallons of gas for the 275-mile drive to the Windy City at an approximate fuel cost at just over 33 dollars (33.23). The calculator likewise computed the round-trip cost of the drive, in this case, 66.46.

To find out how this would compare to flying, I next visited sidestep.com.

Sidestep appeals to me because it searches hundreds of airline and discounted fare websites for the best deal and then lets me book directly with the airline company instead of using a go-between like Orbitz, Travelocity or Expedia. Dealing with the airline directly instead of through a third-party ticket broker, makes it easier and possibly less expensive if there are additional fees to change my flight if necessary.

While at sidestep.com, I found an American Airlines non-stop flight that would whisk me from Detroit to Chicago on a Tuesday and return me the following Thursday at a total round-trip cost of 119.00 dollars. Not a bad price by any means, but still approximately twice the cost of traveling by car. And the price didn’t factor in the cost of airport parking or any additional airport charges or taxes.

Since driving is a pleasure for me, the decision to drive to Chicago on my next business trip was an easy one. My route takes me right by the Detroit airport anyway and I’d rather spend my time driving through the scenic countryside of Western Michigan than battling long lines and possible delays at the airport. In addition, it’s nice to have a familiar car in Chicago and also gratifying to save on the cost of a rental.

Whether a decision like this adds up for you depends to a large extent on your starting point and ultimate destination. While it’s still marginally less expensive for me to drive from Detroit to Los Angeles than it is to fly, for example, I’d never dream of making this long drive part of a business trip.

It’s generally the shorter trips, on the order of 250 to 450 miles, where driving makes sense. See for yourself by comparing the cost of flying and the cost of driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Washington, D.C. to Boston, or Miami to Orlando using the tools available at fuelcostcalculator.com and sidestep.com.

How To Get Airline Tickets To Florida Cheap

Getting Airline Tickets To Florida Cheap

There is no one who wants to spend more than they have to when purchasing airline tickets. Especially when traveling to Florida on business or vacation. Expedia, Priceline and Orbitz are raking in millions on customers purchasing airfare tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, and vacation packages. The reason, people want to save as much as possible when traveling and these sites promise the best deals. The truth is, most times the airline’s themselves offer the best deal, but you have to call in and speak to an agent to get those good deal’s. Do you know it’s possible to knock $100.00 or more off of your next airfare ticket to Florida?

Airline companies use specific methods in determining their discount structure. Knowing this easy method can save you hundreds of dollars on your travel. Were you aware that flying on certain days could cost you $100.00 more than other days? Example, request a flight for Monday returning Friday and then request a flight for Monday returning Sunday and you will see the savings. You can save as much as $400.00 on non-stop flights. Book a flight a month in advance and save as much as $750.00 on a non-stop flight.

Get All The Secrets To Getting Cheaper Airline Tickets Here

Try these tips to get Florida Tickets Cheap:

When you are making a airline reservation to Florida over the phone, make sure and ask, “Is this the cheapest price you offer?” All airlines have discounts available, especially to Orlando, Florida, but, it’s up to you to ask, airline representatives will never offer a discount over the phone for free.

Travel agencies book a couple hundred tickets to Florida every week. So, many times flights to Florida are already sold out, so these flights are unavailable until the ticket reservation hold expires or is canceled by the travel agency. Reservations automatically cancel at midnight and become availble once again. Airline’s will offer extreme discounts on tickets after midnight, to try and fill their flights. So to get your Airline Tickets to Florida Cheap, make your reservations after midnight so you can grab these cheap discounted tickets.

Most resorts and hotels in Florida offer discounts for air travel. Make sure and ask your resort or hotel if they offer any discount on air travel, especially if you are staying in Orlando, Florida. Airline companies work hand in hand with resorts and car rental companies to offer special rates.

If traveling to Orlando, Florida, whether on business or for pleasure, make sure you check for offers on complete package deals, which include airfare, lodging, Disney tickets and car rental in one complete package. Who cares if you are not going to Disney, saving a couple hundred dollars is worth the effort. I’ve paid less to stay in a Disney resort which included Disney tickets, airfare, hotel and car rental cheaper than the cost of a round trip airline ticket.

Make sure you try these four tips above to get your next airline tickets to Florida cheap.

Orlando Airport Airline Contact Details

Untitled Document

Car Rental in Orlando Airport

Airlines

The following airlines serve Orlando International Airport. Please note that the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority does not determine if flights are operating to schedule, or are delayed, or cancelled, therefore please check the Live Flight Information or contact your airline at the number shown below. Check the additional fees charged by each airline.

Aer Lingus

800-474 7424
Terminal: B
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

Aeromexico

800-237-6639
Terminal: B
Airside: 4 (Gates: 80-89)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: No

Air Canada

800-247-2262
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Air Jamaica

800-523-5585
Terminal: A
Airside: 4 (Gates: 80-89)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: No

Air Transat

877-872-6728
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

AirTran Airways

800-247-8726
Terminal: B
Airside: 4 (Gates: 60-99)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Alaska Airlines

800-252-7522
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

Allegiant

702-505-8888
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

American Airlines

800-433-7300
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Bahamasair

800-222-4262
Terminal: A
Airside: 3 (Gates: 30-59)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

British Airways

800-247-9297
Terminal: B
Airside: 4 (Gates: 80-89)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: No

Continental Airlines

800-525-0280
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Copa Airlines

800-359-2672
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

Delta Air Lines

800-221-1212
Terminal: B
Airside: 4 (Gates: 60-99)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Frontier Airlines

800-432-1359
Terminal: A
Airside: 3 (Gates: 30-59)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

jetBlue

800-538-2583
Terminal: A
Airside: 2 & 4 (Gates: 60-129)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Lufthansa

800-645-3880
Terminal: B
Airside: 4 (Gates: 80-89)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: No

Mexicana

800-627-8462
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

Mexicana

800-531-7921
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

Miami Air International

305-871-3300
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

Midwest Airlines

800-452-2022
Terminal: A
Airside: 3 (Gates: 30-59)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Northwest Airlines

800-225-2525
Terminal: B
Airside: 4 (Gates: 60-99)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Skyservice

866-232-4722
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

Southwest Airlines

800-435-9792
Terminal: A
Airside: 2 (Gates: 100-129)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Spirit Airlines

800-772-7117
Terminal: B
Airside: 3 (Gates: 30-59)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Sun Country Airlines

800-359-6786
Terminal: A
Airside: 3 (Gates: 30-59)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

Sunwing

800-761-1711
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

Taca

800-400-8222
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

TAM Airlines

888-235-9826
Terminal: A
Airside: 4 (Gates: 80-89)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: No

United Airlines

800-241-6522
Terminal: B
Airside: 3 (Gates: 30-59)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: Yes

US Airways

800-428-4322
Terminal: B
Airside: 3 (Gates: 30-59)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: Yes

Virgin Atlantic

800-862-8621
Terminal: A
Airside: 4 (Gates: 80-89)
Security Checkpoint: East
Curbside Check-In: No

WestJet

800-538-5696
Terminal: A
Airside: 1 (Gates: 1-29)
Security Checkpoint: West
Curbside Check-In: No

Orlando Hotels

Car Rentals

Airline Fares?

Hello everyone! Im in the processing of planning a trip to Orlando for June 18-23rd. Right now prices to fly out of detroit are around $230 (at least for the flights where i wont lose two days due to leaving late monday and leaving early sat) Anyways should i buy now or do u think the prices will come down at least to $200 or less?? Saving money on the airline would be a tremendous help since funds are limited