Are you experiencing changes in flight schedules after you make reservations?

[Bunk]

I know this is a first world problem, but I am finding that airlines are changing the flight schedules after I book my flights.
I had JetBlue/American Airlines delay my flight back to EWR by more than 4 hours, which caused me to cancel the flight and switch to another airline. Delta just changed the time of its flight from SAV to JFK by over 2 hours, which impacts on what we wanted to do in Jekyll Island. United also changed the time we have to leave EWR by a few hours earlier, which puts us in the middle of rush hour.

Are you experiencing this also?. Perhaps this is happening more in NYC where there are more flights that are being scheduled initially and the airlines are consolidating those flights as we get closer to the date of departure.

 

[VacayKat]

If I book a flight more than 3 months out, it’s a given they will change it. But since pandemic has started it is worse because they change things more frequently due to passenger loads and capacity. Flights are combined or canceled. We had one where we had to change our outbound by days not by hours.

 

[Cornell]

I know this is a first world problem, but I am finding that airlines are changing the flight schedules after I book my flights.
I had JetBlue/American Airlines delay my flight back to EWR by more than 4 hours, which caused me to cancel the flight and switch to another airline. Delta just changed the time of its flight from SAV to JFK by over 2 hours, which impacts on what we wanted to do in Jekyll Island. United also changed the time we have to leave EWR by a few hours earlier, which puts us in the middle of rush hour.

Are you experiencing this also?. Perhaps this is happening more in NYC where there are more flights that are being scheduled initially and the airlines are consolidating those flights as we get closer to the date of departure.

Absolutely. My last travels included a trip from PSP to ORD for me / my daughter. I booked direct flights. My daughter's flight was changed (mine was not) so that she had to take a connecting flight through DFW.

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

The airlines are a mess at the moment. As demand is picking up, their scheduling/pricing models are as confused as can be and laying on top of that the elimination of change fees/cancellation penalties only adds to the uncertainty.

I just completed a trip where I changed my destination airport to one 70 miles away to avoid a 2 connection return that should have involved around two hours of flight time.

 

[PigsDad]

This is nothing new -- the airlines have been doing this for years. If you haven't experienced it until now, consider yourself lucky.

Kurt

 

[MrockStar]

Yes both flights on Frontier where direct for our Easter vacation where changed to 1 stop each way impacting our Costco rental car reservation by 6 hours EARLIER and having to make another car rental $$$. Also Delta changed my direct flight home from OKC to one stop causing 4 more hours of travel home from a work trip ! Luckily they paid me for the extra travel time.

 

[Sandy VDH]

always happens, even without Covid.

I use it to my advantages at times, to switch to flights that otherwise were more expensive, but since the time is too long on times are not conducive I try to get the airlines to change me without a fare change.

 

[controller1]

This is nothing new -- the airlines have been doing this for years. If you haven't experienced it until now, consider yourself lucky.

Kurt

That's true but it is worse now during the pandemic. I just had a change to flights six weeks out. I've never had a change that close to the date of departure. But as you say, it has been happening for years. It is jus the frequency is greater and the time of change can be closer to departure.

 

[SHG]

I also am managing through several changes. AA first moved my flight out of Palm Beach up by about 3 hrs. Then the following week, they moved the connecting flight out by ~2hrs, in total, extending my flight by ~5hrs!!!! Fortunately, I was able to move my originating flight back to a later flight, so it looks like my flight will only be ~1.5hrs longer..... You do have to watch what they will do to you...

 

[tiel]

We have had better luck than normal, with the few flights we've selected not being changed much before departure. Our past experience is frequent changes to flights we so specifically chose to go along with plans made for our destinations. Inevitably, we'd end up with flights that messed everything up, and often with no new arrangements that could fix things. For whatever reason, our most recent 3 trips have survived with no significant changes! Weird. Not what we expected.

 

[FlowMan]

all the time, either flight number changes (typically means swapping into a bigger or smaller plane based on demand) or even changing times in a few situations.

For the most part, if I schedule 2 weeks out it doesn't change often, greater than that I'll probably see one change or another.

 

[MULTIZ321]

I know this is a first world problem, but I am finding that airlines are changing the flight schedules after I book my flights.
I had JetBlue/American Airlines delay my flight back to EWR by more than 4 hours, which caused me to cancel the flight and switch to another airline. Delta just changed the time of its flight from SAV to JFK by over 2 hours, which impacts on what we wanted to do in Jekyll Island. United also changed the time we have to leave EWR by a few hours earlier, which puts us in the middle of rush hour.

Are you experiencing this also?. Perhaps this is happening more in NYC where there are more flights that are being scheduled initially and the airlines are consolidating those flights as we get closer to the date of departure.

Hi Bunk,

When you visit Jekyll Island, I recommend you visit the Jekyll Island Club Resort (www.jekyllclub.com). You can enjoy a meal there if you chose - they used to have a rule of Jacket and tie for dinner (but not sure if that is still in effect). You might arrange a tour of the rooms that were used in the 1910 secret meetings that led to the founding of the Federal Reserve System.

For more background information:

The Meeting at Jekyll Island

The Meeting at Jekyll Island

A secret gathering at a secluded island off the coast of Georgia in 1910 laid the foundations for the Federal Reserve System.

www.federalreservehistory.org

and
How a secret meeting on Jekyll Island led to the Fed

How a secret meeting on Jekyll Island led to the Fed

Author Lowenstein explains the 'patriotic conspiracy' behind the central bank.

www.marketplace.org

and
Birth of the Fed
The secret expedition that formed America’s central bank

Birth of the Fed • Jekyll Island, Georgia • Vacation, Conservation, and Education Destination

By Scott Freeman

www.jekyllisland.com

Also to learn more about Paul Warburg see an excellent book by Ron Chernow (author of "Hamilton") - "The Warburgs: The Twentieth Century Odydessy of a Remarkable Jewish Family"

Richard

 

[easyrider]

Funny question. About 10 days after making my last flight reservation it was changed on my end because I found a better flight. I made a reservation for my grand son for a tournament but it was canceled so I canceled his flight. I guess these are covid blessings in disguise.

Usually we make our flight reservations at about a year out. They are always changed. Sometimes better, sometime worse.

Bill

 

[beejaybee]

New connection time for us in DFW is 39 minutes with change notified to us just 10 days prior.

 

[Patri]

Flight was changed for relatives coming here. Gave them an 8 hour layover, which took up a full travel day out of three. They are not coming.

 

[JohnPaul]

New connection time for us in DFW is 39 minutes with change notified to us just 10 days prior.

Fortunately there is usually padding in the schedule so you are likely to get in early. Doesn’t leave room for problems.

 

[bogey21]

This is nothing new -- the airlines have been doing this for years. If you haven't experienced it until now, consider yourself lucky.

Kurt

Back in my working days I would often schedule both legs on a trip separately. It would depend on the time between the legs. I felt I had more control this way and never had a problem with it. With what is going with the airlines today I would never do this...

George

 

[MULTIZ321]

Hi Bunk,

When you visit Jekyll Island, I recommend you visit the Jekyll Island Club Resort (www.jekyllclub.com). You can enjoy a meal there if you chose - they used to have a rule of Jacket and tie for dinner (but not sure if that is still in effect). You might arrange a tour of the rooms that were used in the 1910 secret meetings that led to the founding of the Federal Reserve System.

For more background information:

The Meeting at Jekyll Island

The Meeting at Jekyll Island

A secret gathering at a secluded island off the coast of Georgia in 1910 laid the foundations for the Federal Reserve System.

www.federalreservehistory.org

and
How a secret meeting on Jekyll Island led to the Fed

How a secret meeting on Jekyll Island led to the Fed

Author Lowenstein explains the 'patriotic conspiracy' behind the central bank.

www.marketplace.org

and
Birth of the Fed
The secret expedition that formed America’s central bank

Birth of the Fed • Jekyll Island, Georgia • Vacation, Conservation, and Education Destination

By Scott Freeman

www.jekyllisland.com

Also to learn more about Paul Warburg see an excellent book by Ron Chernow (author of "Hamilton") - "The Warburgs: The Twentieth Century Odydessy of a Remarkable Jewish Family"

Richard

Also see this previous Tug Thread.

St Simons Island - non timeshare

Anyone ever been? We've booked the King and Prince hotel for 3 nights in June for my 50th. Any restaurant, activity suggestions would be most appreciated. We will have 3 kids along for the trip - 12,10 & 4. Thanks in advance!:whoopie:

tugbbs.com

Richard

 

[Snazzylass]

Absolutely. My last travels included a trip from PSP to ORD for me / my daughter. I booked direct flights. My daughter's flight was changed (mine was not) so that she had to take a connecting flight through DFW.

omg! Did you get that changed/fixed? or did you fly home separately?

 

[Cornell]

omg! Did you get that changed/fixed? or did you fly home separately?

Flew home separately! I called AA and they wouldn't budge.

 

[CPNY]

Constantly.... it’s insanity. They moved my STT > JFK up an hour and I chose to take a connecting flight to leave at 3PM instead of 1PM. I don’t want to have to rush to get to the airport since friends are all leaving at 7PM.

so many flights have been cancelled or changed. It’s frustrating because they want to encourage travel yet are making it impossible to book anything. I’ve heard of stories where flights being cancelled and people being rebooked for the next day. Great, are they paying for another night in the hotel?

 

[Snazzylass]

Flew home separately! I called AA and they wouldn't budge.

ugh! Ridiculous! It's got me boiling Now I am wondering how often this happens?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Southwest changed our flight by 25 minutes, and I was able to select a better flight (with no extra charge) online after I got the email. It was a nice surprise. I tried to change the flight myself a few days before, and it was an upcharge to change it. They opened up the entire day and no difference in price. Southwest is just superior that way.

We fly Southwest to Hawaii in June. Rick is not looking forward to sitting in those uncomfortable seats, but the savings over our usual choices was so significant. I couldn't resist trying it. He can have the window, I will take that middle seat.

I wish they would let me buy the middle seat for us to spread out a bit.

 

[AJCts411]

always happens, even without Covid.

I use it to my advantages at times, to switch to flights that otherwise were more expensive, but since the time is too long on times are not conducive I try to get the airlines to change me without a fare change.

I consider my vacation time as valuable. So typcally choose a flight that land me at my destination a few hours before check-in and as mostly they are one stop, have at least a 1 hr connection time (prefere 1 1/2 to 2 hrs), so as not to miss connecting flights. These flights are more likely to cost more $$. Any experiences with the airlines when you pay the preimuim for your preferred time frame, and now are re-scheduled to a less desirable time frame?

 

[Cornell]

I consider my vacation time as valuable. So typcally choose a flight that land me at my destination a few hours before check-in and as mostly they are one stop, have at least a 1 hr connection time (prefere 1 1/2 to 2 hrs), so as not to miss connecting flights. These flights are more likely to cost more $$. Any experiences with the airlines when you pay the preimuim for your preferred time frame, and now are re-scheduled to a less desirable time frame?

YES! See my comments above. I paid a premium for direct flights and then my daughter got moved to a connecting flight. It then created issues as were , in theory, traveling together. So had to figure out logistics for getting from resort - airport separately. And then getting from arrival airport our home separately. Big PIA!