Airfare schedules

[eddiesgal]

My DD and SIL are flying to Miami in September for a cruise. While looking for airfare I noticed the schedules to Miami are really limited and there isn't much to choose from. Does anybody know if the airlines will be releasing anything better closer to the departure date? Thanks in advance for your kind responses:)

[parody]

I believe that all the schedules are out for the airlines that fly into Miami by September. So, what you see is what you get. Keep in mind that because of the economy, airlines have been shedding service.

 

Now, are you interesting in flying to Ft. Lauderdale? If so, it would be nice to know from where are you coming. For example, Southwest Airlines is only taking bookings through August 14, 2009.

[FlyerTalker]

Just what do you mean by "really limited"? Are you talking about non-stop service? Direct service? Or "cheap fares"?

 

And what do you mean by "anything better"? To me, that would mean that Singapore airlines was running service into there with international first class service standards.

 

As a hub for AA, MIA has a ton of service to cities around the USA, either direct or via the ORD and DFW hubs.

 

More specifics are always appreciated.

[eddiesgal]

Just what do you mean by "really limited"? Are you talking about non-stop service? Direct service? Or "cheap fares"?

 

And what do you mean by "anything better"? To me, that would mean that Singapore airlines was running service into there with international first class service standards.

 

As a hub for AA, MIA has a ton of service to cities around the USA, either direct or via the ORD and DFW hubs.

 

More specifics are always appreciated.

 

They are flying from Pittsburgh and a good schedule would be flying in the day prior and arriving at around noonish or earlier to be able to enjoy the day in Miami. Non stop isn't a must, the cheapest fares aren't a must but an "arm and a leg" as far as cost isn't what they're looking for either:)

[FlyerTalker]

Well, now that I know PIT-MIA, I just plugged in a random Saturday in September. You can take:

 

Several DL flights via ATL (5:40am or 6:40am) or CVG (6:40am)

AA via ORD at 6:15am

US via CLT at 7:00am

NW via DTW at 7:00am

CO via CLE at 7:10am

 

All will get you to MIA between 10:30am and 12:20pm. Without specific dates, can't speak to availability and/or pricing.

 

There is also to FLL for most of those departures as well.

[G'ma]

My DD and SIL are flying to Miami in September for a cruise. While looking for airfare I noticed the schedules to Miami are really limited and there isn't much to choose from. Does anybody know if the airlines will be releasing anything better closer to the departure date? Thanks in advance for your kind responses:)

 

You don't mention where you're flying from.

 

However, also check Ft. Lauderdale; it's only about 25 miles from Miami...

[FlyerTalker]

You don't mention where you're flying from.

 

However' date=' also check Ft. Lauderdale; it's only about 25 miles from Miami...[/quote']

Post #4 clearly indicates Pittsburgh.

 

And if you consider FLL, you can fly Southwest!!! (a good reason to fly into MIA)

[eddiesgal]

Thanks to everyone for all of your help.

 

DD & SIL are actually flying from Pittsburgh on September 5 (Friday) and have noticed that the FLL schedules are much more to their liking.

We'll definitely hang in there until Southwest opens up the schedule past August and go from there:)

[parody]

We'll definitely hang in there until Southwest opens up the schedule past August and go from there:)

 

You may be thinking this already, but just don't look at round trip flights to FLL or MIA. For a cruise you can consider the options of taking a ONE-WAY flight to one of the airports and returning from the other.

[FlyerTalker]

DD & SIL are actually flying from Pittsburgh on September 5 (Friday) and have noticed that the FLL schedules are much more to their liking. We'll definitely hang in there until Southwest opens up the schedule past August and go from there:)

As long as you know that the WN schedules may or not be the same in September as they are now. Those "more to the liking" may not be there, or they may. All part of the "wait for Southwest" mystique.

[greatam]

As long as you know that the WN schedules may or not be the same in September as they are now. Those "more to the liking" may not be there, or they may. All part of the "wait for Southwest" mystique.

 

To tag onto this: What is currently on the SW schedule is no better time wise than booking one of the Delta flights into FLL TODAY.

 

Please don't forget that it can EASILY take an hour to get from the port in Miami to FLL (plus $50.00 unless you take public transport or rent a car). Which means the earliest recommended time on the return would be about 2:00PM departure, so you need to be in the FLL airport NO LATER than noon. The FLL airport on cruise days is a total zoo.

 

The flights into MIA for your dates are about $100pp more than the flights into FLL. But you MAY easily spend the extra $100.00 pp on transport and hassle getting to/from MIA. All things to consider.

[parody]

As long as you know that the WN schedules may or not be the same in September as they are now.

 

While this is always a good rule of thumb, note that it appears that WN made no changes in this market last year. (To see a detailed list of changes made, click here. Note that this table is for nonstop flights so one needs to focus on where they would connect--generally MCO, PHL, or TPA.) Of course, in this economy anything is possible.

[FlyerTalker]

Somewhat useful chart - however, it deals with daily frequencies not with specific schedules. Two different concepts - WN might decide to keep the same number of flights, but significantly change flight times. Or, they have made schedule changes in the past, while keeping the same number of flights. That wouldn't show up on that table, yet would impact the purchase decision of the OP.

[eddiesgal]

thanks everyone!

[flamomo]

Southwest's website says that their schedules for the rest of the year will open April 14th.

[greatam]

Southwest's website says that their schedules for the rest of the year will open April 14th.

 

Again, WHY would you WAIT for SW to open their schedule when there are FIXED price flights at very decent prices with perfectly decent times per the OP's requirements and get all the other benefits that a SW does NOT provide???

 

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"-applies to a lot of things, but seems especially appropriate for those WAITING to book SW.

[steve20832]

If you are going to look into FLL, you might as well look into PBI (Palm Beach) It is about 90 minutes from Miami (On a good traffic day.)

Try kayak.com and put a check into 'include nearby airports'. Also look into flying into one airport and out another such as flying into FLL and home from MIA.

Or wait 2 weeks for Southwest! Keep in mind most airlines charge for checked luggage when looking at airline fees. The list of who charges what is here http://www.kayak.com/airline-fees

And the last thing is would you be willing to drive 2 hours to Cleveland or Columbus if the price was less?

[eddiesgal]

If you are going to look into FLL, you might as well look into PBI (Palm Beach) It is about 90 minutes from Miami (On a good traffic day.)

Try kayak.com and put a check into 'include nearby airports'. Also look into flying into one airport and out another such as flying into FLL and home from MIA.

Or wait 2 weeks for Southwest! Keep in mind most airlines charge for checked luggage when looking at airline fees. The list of who charges what is here http://www.kayak.com/airline-fees

And the last thing is would you be willing to drive 2 hours to Cleveland or Columbus if the price was less?

 

Thanks for the great advice in including the nearby airports. If the savings is substantial enough, it may be worth it, however they'd still have the parking to pay once they get to the nearby airports. At PIT airport, DH and I would just drop them off and pick them up saving them the weekly parking fee.