Airlines to WDW

[rhonda922]

We're thinking about going to Disney early next year. Just curious about what airlines everyone uses. We're going to Orlando from New Jersey. I don't know whether its safe to book with US Air because I had heard some negative things on the news about them. I'm just worried about them going out of business and us being stuck with a ticket we can't use.

Thanks!

[MrCoffee]

Truthfully, the chances of USAir or United truly going out of business is pretty slim..

They'll use this bankruptcy to shed some debt, renegoiate some contracts with employee groups, and in general clean house... But the probability of them actually closing the doors is nill. (Of course, I'm not a lawyer, so take it at will.)

But my father has worked for TWA for over 30 years, and they went through 3 bankruptcies until getting purchased by AA finally, so..

Thomas

[Iceman]

I would think your best bet might be Continental (assuming you are close to Newark). They offer very reasonable non-stops to Orlando.

[tugger2000]

But my father has worked for TWA for over 30 years, and they went through 3 bankruptcies until getting purchased by AA finally, so..

Same w/my dad, except not the 30 years part. But I still prefer Continental. and try to leave out of Newark, the other LaGuardia and Kennedy are near the city and kinda crazy.

[splashtodd]

I use who ever is cheapest at the time. My last trip was on Delta, and it looks like the next trip will be on America West.

[MrCoffee]

Originally posted by splashtodd
I use who ever is cheapest at the time. My last trip was on Delta, and it looks like the next trip will be on America West.

We just took them in August to go to Orlando, out of Phoenix..

Be warned, no meal on the plane.. We did get a cookie (pretty small), and a whole can of beverage.. Then they came back through the cabin and had bottled water they poured into a glass.

A cool site to check out is www.airlinemeals.net, which has pictures people submit of the food. (Check out the Concorde meals.. drool..).. But AWA has a few pictures up.

Thomas

[splashtodd]

I'm not a big fan of any airline food. I usually eat something before I get on the plane and then hit a local restaurant when I arrive at my destination.

So if they don't servce a meal, it is fine by me. I'd rather have the money to spend at Bongo's in DTD or some other resort restaurant!

[ionfreeway]

We (my wife and I) flew from NJ to Orlando via US Air last October. We actually got bumped on our flight and got free round trip tickets to anywhere in the states, and we only had to wait an hour and a half for the next flight. We ended up using the free tickets 6 months later to go to Disneyland.

I wouldnt worry about them going out of business, it probably wont happen.

[DLMAGICDARREN]

I fly from MCO (Orlando) to LAX regurlarly, and before I lived in Orlando, did the flight from Jacksonville FL (JAX) to LAX.

I agree with others, what matters to me most is fair. I really could care less about the meal, movie, or where they layover may be, as long as I end up at my destination.

I seldom find a non stop flight, (sometimes, but seldom). I really don't mind at all stopping half way and changing planes, whatever city I land in. It's a nice break to be able to get out of the plane after 2-3 hours, and then continue on the 2nd half of the journey.

I've flown American, United, US Airways, TWA, Continental, Delta, and probably others I can't think of off hand. When you are in coach, you really can't tell one airline from another once in the air. Also I just kiss my travel day goodbye. I mean if you arrive on time that's great, but I'm always the guy volunteering to be bumped. A few hour delay is a small price to pay for a $300 voucher torwards your next trip.

[Iceman]

I agree with almost everything Darren said, except that I have noticed differences between the airlines. I fly over 100,000 miles a year and despite my best efforts end up flying most of the majors. Here are my opinions:

Continental: head and shoulders above the rest. Their customer service, meals, on-time performance, and baggage handling are all impressive. Plus, they have the best frequent flier program for elite members.

United: mixed bag. Sometimes they do great and other times I wonder how they stay in business. Probably the best thing is their extensive flight schedule and availability of many non-stop flights.

Northwest: mixed bag but tending toward disappointment. Their planes are old and their flight attendands sometimes seem to view the passengers as an inconvenience.

US Airways: consistently mediocre. Nothing sucks, but nothing is very good either. And unless you're just flying up and down the east coast, forget about convenient flight schedules.

Delta and American: the pits. I avoid them both whenever possible. Decrepit planes, downright hostile employees, late flights as the norm, it just doesn't get any worse.