FAQ: Flying Out of Buffalo OR Detroit

Ahhh! I wish my DH would agree we could fly out of Detroit. Everything seems so much better vs what I'm seeing out of Buffalo. It's really a difference of, what, 2 hours? Maybe I can get him to see the light if I show him what's going on out of Buffalo right now.

We have flown from both and actually prefer Detroit. We drive there from Toronto (4.5 hours or so). They have really great hotels just by the airport, we got a GREAT deal ($56 i think) and they had a Continental breakfast and complimentary shuttle! Honestly, after fly Pearson (Toronto) in Sept with just my youngest, I would rather drive to Detroit (or even Buffalo) in a heartbeat. Bonus is Detroit usually has direct flights. We usually fly Delta there and it's always been a pleasure.
 
We had the same experience. In November, we flew A/C to Miami because we were not sure of transfers from FLL to the Port of Miami. Never again. Waited forever for the park and fly shuttle. The airport was so disorganized. PEople were in the wrong lines; you had to print your own luggage tags. Never again!!!!
 
We have flown from both and actually prefer Detroit. We drive there from Toronto (4.5 hours or so). They have really great hotels just by the airport, we got a GREAT deal ($56 i think) and they had a Continental breakfast and complimentary shuttle! Honestly, after fly Pearson (Toronto) in Sept with just my youngest, I would rather drive to Detroit (or even Buffalo) in a heartbeat. Bonus is Detroit usually has direct flights. We usually fly Delta there and it's always been a pleasure.

We've decided to do this even though, as you say, it's a 4.5 hour drive for us. Direct, cheap flights. We'll stay over at a hotel near the airport and park free for the week.
 
We have done DTW to MCO a number of times and like the DTW airport and hotels around that we can leave the car at. This year we opted to fly from BUF which isn't a direct flight but is so good for times etc that we couldn't resist the shorter drive home at the end of our trip. We got good prices and a cheap hotel to park the night before....Role on August - I can't wait!!!:dogdance::car:
 


For Ottawa residents. There was something posted a year ago about Ogdensburg expanding their airport to cater for direct flights to Orlando. Any one know when this will be completed or if there are any more details?


Found the news article from last year ...
http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ogdensburg-airport-in-expansion-mode-to-attract-ottawa-passengers-1.1904713


And here one about approval of extending the runway ...
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20141122/NEWS05/141129592

But no news of when they will start offering (direct) services to newer (further) destinations.
 
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My son and his girlfriend are flying from BUF to MCO in May (Victoria Day weekend). I have limited experience flying from BUF (we usually go from DTW) so I'm curious how much time they should leave to get from Mississauga/Etobicoke to the airport. Would leaving 4 hrs before flight time be enough to travel the QEW and cross the border or should they allow more? Also, is Niagara or Ft. Erie the preferred crossing these days? They'll be driving down on a Sunday. Thanks.

- Mike
 
I will be flying out of BUF and plan on staying at the Days Inn Buffalo Airport.

We plan on taking Southwest. Our flight is at 5:30 AM.

Anybody have any idea how often the Days Inn"s shuttle runs?

What time should we be at the airport?
 


I drive from Guelph to the Buffalo airport and usually allow 2.5 hours to get there, that way I am not rushing to drop off the car, or check in. We rarely take checked baggage so check in online the day before and go straight to security check. Its a nice small airport and never seems to feel busy. We usually cross at Ft Erie as that is the most direct route to the airport. I wouldn't think that it should be that busy going into the US on a Sunday but you can always check the bridges on-route and if Ft Erie is really busy use one of the other crossings.
 
For Ottawa residents. There was something posted a year ago about Ogdensburg expanding their airport to cater for direct flights to Orlando. Any one know when this will be completed or if there are any more details?


Found the news article from last year ...
http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ogdensburg-airport-in-expansion-mode-to-attract-ottawa-passengers-1.1904713


And here one about approval of extending the runway ...
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20141122/NEWS05/141129592

But no news of when they will start offering (direct) services to newer (further) destinations.

This is exciting! I found this article that says November 2016...

I hope so!

http://www.ogd.com/article/20141125/OGD/141129041

(I could only read this article if I answered survey questions...)
 
Has anyone flown Spirit Airlines out of the Detroit airport? Are they reliable?
 
Has anyone flown Spirit Airlines out of the Detroit airport? Are they reliable?


I fly out of Detroit on a regular basis. However, never used Spirit. Have always heard poor things about their service and hidden fees. What exactly where you wondering?
 
I was searching for flights from Detroit to Orlando and the cheapest flights were offered by Spirit. I had never heard of the airline but everything in me tells me this could be one of those airlines where it will get you to Orlando but while you are down there, it could go bankrupt. I believe there was another US budget airline that went bankrupt during March Break a few years back. Doesn't sound like a good idea for me. Plus I read you have to pay for every bag including carryon luggage.
 
I was searching for flights from Detroit to Orlando and the cheapest flights were offered by Spirit. I had never heard of the airline but everything in me tells me this could be one of those airlines where it will get you to Orlando but while you are down there, it could go bankrupt. I believe there was another US budget airline that went bankrupt during March Break a few years back. Doesn't sound like a good idea for me. Plus I read you have to pay for every bag including carryon luggage.


Yes, they have many hidden fees. Some of which include...

-Carry on $35
-First Checked Bag $30 (Could be $100 if checked at the gate). Must be under 40lbs to avoid overweight charges.
-Up to $50 if you want to select your seat
-Up to $10 for snacks
-$10 for an agent to print your boarding pass. Free if you do it at home or $2 to print it yourself at the airport
 
Wow, that really does add up, thanks Frank 4202! I think I will pass on this airline and see what SW comes out with on May 14 from BUF to MCO.
 
I will be flying out of BUF and plan on staying at the Days Inn Buffalo Airport.

We plan on taking Southwest. Our flight is at 5:30 AM.

Anybody have any idea how often the Days Inn"s shuttle runs?

What time should we be at the airport?

Just got back from the same thing. Flew out at 5:30, stayed overnight at Days Inn. A small continental breakfast is served at 4am. The shuttle bus seems to run on demand. We told the staff at check-in that we need to leave just after 4am, and he said no problem. We got down to the lobby around 3:50am, and most of the breakfast items were available. Grabbed a few pieces of toast and a coffee, and took them with us on the shuttle to the airport about 4:05am. Ate on the bus and waiting in line at the Southwest counter. Once we checked our bags, we tossed the remaining food in the garbage and headed to security. We were lucky and got TSA-Pre so breezed right through security. Then, we sat round the airport for almost an hour

Coming back, we arrived at midnight. We grabbed our bags, then from the Niagara/Buffalo Info desk, made a call to the hotel. 5 minutes later the shuttle arrived and drove us back to the lot.

Very simple. I would recommend them again
 
I've started flying southwest out of Flint Michigan. They offer a good selection on non stop. There are around 5 gates in total. Cheap parking but with sleep and flys near by.
 
I've started flying southwest out of Flint Michigan. They offer a good selection on non stop. There are around 5 gates in total. Cheap parking but with sleep and flys near by.

Ive actually found some non stop flights for $99 in November! Great prices outta Flint.
 
Does anyone know if there is a specific section that Southwest flights board in at Buffalo airport? I'm wondering if I'll be able to know what section we will be in for our next flight.
 
I hate flying out of Buffalo. Boarder guards are also not the nicest I've found. But 214USD for Southwest with a free bag compared to 550CAD on Westjet, there is just no comparison. I get my Dad to drive, I treat him and my mom to a hotel stay near the Fallsview Casino, we do some Christmas shopping before I go. It makes getting to Orlando cheaper but if I have the choice or only save 100ish dollars I always prefer Pearson.
 

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