Canadian flights Ottawa to Fll or Mia

[PatandStu]

Checking flight prices for Nov cruise out of Miami. Nothing direct, so Montreal or Toronto. Prices are ridiculously high. Any suggestions on when to book for best price?  Think Fort Lauderdale flights are cheaper but still $700 pp plus seat selection & baggage. 
We have 2 elderly parents with us, one in a wheelchair so we cannot fly early am or have long layovers which reduces our options dramatically. 

[bebe08]

We are also in the Ottawa area.  We prefer direct flights and if we can't get them from Ottawa we look to see if any direct flights from Montreal.  If there are then we take the train to Montreal and get a direct flight from there. I find that less stressful and more relaxing than having to change planes.

 

Have you looked at booking flights through the cruiseline? If price goes down before final payment you can refare at the lower price.  We do this as soon as flights open for booking and keep checking for price drops.  

 

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

 

 

[PatandStu]

I did look at booking through the cruise line, but with mom’s age and very limited mobility, I just can’t risk us not being on the same flight or having flights at times she won’t/can’t do. 
I’ve heard it’s cheapest to book on tuesdays but not sure if that’s true or not. 
I looked at direct flights from Montreal but the only one worth considering arrives in FLL at 10:30pm, way past mama’s bedtime! 
I guess the price of making the matriarch happy will cost us a bit more. 

[LHT28]

be sure to fly in the day before incase  things  go pear shaped

 

What about  driving or take the train to Montreal  then fly to MIA

Air Transat have an afternoon nonstop to MIA   just  get an airport hotel for the night  & head to the port in the morning

 

Play around with 

https://matrix.itasoftware.com/search

 

For your dates & time  that work for you  ..there is no easy way from YOW

 

 

 

[Dancer Bob]

Because you have so few options- two or even three days early. Be very wary of booking through the cruise line, they buy the cheapest flights, which you don't want.

[Tango99]

3 hours ago, PatandStu said:

Checking flight prices for Nov cruise out of Miami. Nothing direct, so Montreal or Toronto. Prices are ridiculously high. Any suggestions on when to book for best price?  Think Fort Lauderdale flights are cheaper but still $700 pp plus seat selection & baggage. 
We have 2 elderly parents with us, one in a wheelchair so we cannot fly early am or have long layovers which reduces our options dramatically. 

FLL is definitely less $ and there are direct flights from Ottawa. I’ll start with the return. The advantage direct with elderly parents is the ease and short transit from the plane through customs on the return trip. Mind you direct flight days are limited. And yes Tuesday is less expensive but I don’t think there’s a direct that day. Make a note of what you see on line so you can look it up again.  Montreal has been a zoo and is improving. Toronto no fun at all. You definitely need to prebook wheelchair assistance both ways regardless of airport selection…. for both mum and dad. Even if they object. They will be pretty tired as it’s a long day if you plan to return same day from the cruise. And when you start your journey it’s nice if it’s easy.  On that note… always try to fly in a day or two early. It avoids snow delays and worries and enables getting acclimatized to the heat and sun. Well worth the extra days to relax before embarking if you can enjoy that.  We’re looking for pre Christmas. Hope you find a good option. 

[Fouremco]

Flying out of Ottawa never seems easy these days, which is why we were very excited a few months ago to book direct flights to and from Fort Lauderdale for next January. Outbound, we were to depart late in the afternoon, at 1705, while the return flight was scheduled for 1145. But we have now received an email from Air Canada informing us that the flight times have been changed, with the departure moved up to 0615 and the return flight to 1050. Both are doable, but far from ideal times. We now need to consider alternatives.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I would use google.ca/flights , it a little easier to use 

Also I have always had good luck with Flight by Celebrity to book flights especially with flights to Europe 

[ALD18]

We've used smaller US regional airports for flights down there several times.  Syracuse NY airport is about the same distance for us as Toronto, about 1.5 hours.  Flights are usually a LOT cheaper, airport is a snap to get too, local hotels offer very attractive parking options, and getting around inside the airport is VERY easy.  Only problem is you may have a layover to get to long distance destinations.  However, we flew to San Diego once upon a time and our total cost for both of us was cheaper than a single fare out of Toronto.  We had a 2 hour layover in Chicago, but it $ in our pockets.  Not sure what your choices would be, but an option you could also explore.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

1 hour ago, ALD18 said:

We've used smaller US regional airports for flights down there several times.  Syracuse NY airport is about the same distance for us as Toronto, about 1.5 hours.  Flights are usually a LOT cheaper, airport is a snap to get too, local hotels offer very attractive parking options, and getting around inside the airport is VERY easy.  Only problem is you may have a layover to get to long distance destinations.  However, we flew to San Diego once upon a time and our total cost for both of us was cheaper than a single fare out of Toronto.  We had a 2 hour layover in Chicago, but it $ in our pockets.  Not sure what your choices would be, but an option you could also explore.

You are in Southern Ontario and only 1-1/2 hr from Syracuse? 🤔
Gananoque, ON Is 2 hours from Syracuse , you must be in Eastern Ontario 😁

[LHT28]

The OP is in Ottawa   with elderly parents   driving to  a border  airport  may just be too much stress  for them

 Even getting to YUL could be an ordeal with elderly parents with mobility issues

[3CanadianBears]

I feel your pain! Direct flights from Ottawa to MIA or FLL are I think almost non existent.  

 

We have flown from Montreal to FLL (simply to fly direct); it seems Air Canada has a direct flight on both Friday and Saturday in November (?).  We have driven to Montreal airport, parked there and taken a flight, also have stayed overnight at the airport attached to the airport for an early morning flight.  Not ideal, but gives you a direct flight option.   Would that be less stressful for your group? 

 

WestJet used to have direct from Ottawa options, but since they changed their focus to Western Canada, that no longer is the case. 

 

Amazing you can fly non-stop from Ottawa to Paris, but not to Miami or Fort Lauderdale! Good luck with your plans - I'll be curious to know what you decide. 

 

 

[Fouremco]

3 minutes ago, 3CanadianBears said:

Amazing you can fly non-stop from Ottawa to Paris, but not to Miami or Fort Lauderdale!

You can fly direct YOW to FLL, if you don't mind a 6:15 AM flight. Not at all practical for the OP, unfortunately.

[PatandStu]

I think we’ve found a AC flight leaving mid morning with a 90 minute layover in TO. Because mom is in a wheelchair when we travel, we get priority in lines.

We will fly in the day before, then fly home on disembarkation day. 

Of course it is a more expensive option but the whole point of accompanying mom is to have minimal stress for her & dad. 
If it was just me flying, I’d gladly fly at 6am to save a few hundred $! 
thanks for your input everyone. 
Pat

[Barwick Cruiser]

1 hour ago, PatandStu said:

I think we’ve found a AC flight leaving mid morning with a 90 minute layover in TO. Because mom is in a wheelchair when we travel, we get priority in lines.

We will fly in the day before, then fly home on disembarkation day. 

Of course it is a more expensive option but the whole point of accompanying mom is to have minimal stress for her & dad. 
If it was just me flying, I’d gladly fly at 6am to save a few hundred $! 
thanks for your input everyone. 
Pat

Will you be able to go thru customs in Ottawa or will you have to do that in Toronto? Might make your 90 minute connection a bit tight? So nice that you are able to travel with your parents, hope you all have a wonderful holiday! 

[PatandStu]

Customs is in Ottawa. 90 minutes is enough in TO. The good news about having a travel partner in a wheelchair is the entire group gets escorted right through to the front of every line. 
We are very fortunate that we can still travel with an 88 year old mom & a 92 year old dad. 

[LHT28]

5 hours ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

Will you be able to go thru customs in Ottawa or will you have to do that in Toronto? Might make your 90 minute connection a bit tight? So nice that you are able to travel with your parents, hope you all have a wonderful holiday! 

Do you mean USA pre Clearance?

 

 

[3CanadianBears]

18 hours ago, Fouremco said:

You can fly direct YOW to FLL, if you don't mind a 6:15 AM flight. Not at all practical for the OP, unfortunately.

Thanks, @Fouremco, I see that now.  On AC Rouge. 

[Fouremco]

12 hours ago, PatandStu said:

Customs is in Ottawa. 90 minutes is enough in TO. The good news about having a travel partner in a wheelchair is the entire group gets escorted right through to the front of every line. 
We are very fortunate that we can still travel with an 88 year old mom & a 92 year old dad. 

You might want to double check. To the best of my recollection, you go through pre-clearance in Ottawa if you have a direct flight to the US, but if you are on a domestic flight to Toronto and then board an onward flight to the US, you go through pre-clearance in Toronto.

 

This item on connecting flights is from the YUL website, but the underlying principle is the same:

 

Canada-United States

If your flight originated in Canada and you have a boarding pass for a connecting flight to a U.S. destination, you must follow the U.S. Connections signs, go through pre-boarding screening checkpoint “C”, and then go through U.S. Customs. Your checked luggage will be transferred automatically by the luggage-handling system. Note, however, that U.S. customs officers are authorized to recall your luggage, if necessary, for manual inspection. If the customs officers do not yet have the information on your luggage at hand, you will be asked to proceed to the waiting area.

https://www.admtl.com/en/guide/connecting-flights#:~:text=If your flight originated in Canada and you have a,then go through U.S. Customs.

[Barwick Cruiser]

13 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Do you mean USA pre Clearance?

 

 

Yes, that is what I meant 🤦🏼‍♀️

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

You might want to double check. To the best of my recollection, you go through pre-clearance in Ottawa if you have a direct flight to the US, but if you are on a domestic flight to Toronto and then board an onward flight to the US, you go through pre-clearance in Toronto.

 

This item on connecting flights is from the YUL website, but the underlying principle is the same:

 

Canada-United States

If your flight originated in Canada and you have a boarding pass for a connecting flight to a U.S. destination, you must follow the U.S. Connections signs, go through pre-boarding screening checkpoint “C”, and then go through U.S. Customs. Your checked luggage will be transferred automatically by the luggage-handling system. Note, however, that U.S. customs officers are authorized to recall your luggage, if necessary, for manual inspection. If the customs officers do not yet have the information on your luggage at hand, you will be asked to proceed to the waiting area.

https://www.admtl.com/en/guide/connecting-flights#:~:text=If your flight originated in Canada and you have a,then go through U.S. Customs.

That’s what I was thinking would happen as well, thus why 90 minutes could be a tight connection. Knew someone would have relevant info! Thx @Fouremco

[PatandStu]

DH and I have done it in 65 minutes. Last time we went with parents  through TO to FLL, mom was in a wheelchair & we were escorted right through in about 20 minutes. 

[Shadow9612]

6 hours ago, PatandStu said:

DH and I have done it in 65 minutes. Last time we went with parents  through TO to FLL, mom was in a wheelchair & we were escorted right through in about 20 minutes. 

@PatandStu although November most likely won't be a problem for weather, keep in mind that it could be. If the Ottawa to Toronto flight is late leaving Ottawa, this could cause you trouble with only a 90 minutes layover.... 

[Fouremco]

10 hours ago, Shadow9612 said:

@PatandStu although November most likely won't be a problem for weather, keep in mind that it could be. If the Ottawa to Toronto flight is late leaving Ottawa, this could cause you trouble with only a 90 minutes layover.... 

Memories... I had a business trip to Paris a number of years ago and was routed YOW-YYZ-CDG. There was a mechanical issue that delayed our departure from Ottawa, and upon arrival in Toronto, I ran as fast as I could from the domestic arrival gate to the international departure gate. I could see them closing the door to the passenger boarding bridge from a distance and yelled out to them to wait for me, which they did.

 

Of course, my checked luggage never made it to the onward flight, but caught up to me the following day at my hotel. Fortunately, I had booked for a Saturday arrival, so my business suit caught up to me on Sunday. I would not have wanted to attend my Monday morning meeting in the same clothes that I had left Ottawa in and had worn ever since! I was much younger then, and would miss the plane entirely if faced with the same situation today.

 

Mirabel opened later that year, and I booked all of my subsequent European flights through YMX. Coincidently, YMX closed to commercial passenger flights the same year that I retired. We now avoid Toronto and fly out on YUL when vacationing if we can't get a direct flight out of Ottawa.

[Shadow9612]

3 hours ago, Fouremco said:

Memories... I had a business trip to Paris a number of years ago and was routed YOW-YYZ-CDG. There was a mechanical issue that delayed our departure from Ottawa, and upon arrival in Toronto, I ran as fast as I could from the domestic arrival gate to the international departure gate. I could see them closing the door to the passenger boarding bridge from a distance and yelled out to them to wait for me, which they did.

 

Of course, my checked luggage never made it to the onward flight, but caught up to me the following day at my hotel. Fortunately, I had booked for a Saturday arrival, so my business suit caught up to me on Sunday. I would not have wanted to attend my Monday morning meeting in the same clothes that I had left Ottawa in and had worn ever since! I was much younger then, and would miss the plane entirely if faced with the same situation today.

 

Mirabel opened later that year, and I booked all of my subsequent European flights through YMX. Coincidently, YMX closed to commercial passenger flights the same year that I retired. We now avoid Toronto and fly out on YUL when vacationing if we can't get a direct flight out of Ottawa.

I had a similar story flying from Canada to US for my first cruise.  Connection was through Atlanta.   

 

Flight arrived late in Atlanta due to a late departure and I had to run faster than I ever have in my life to the connection gate.  I was out of breath and coughing almost the whole flight to FLL 😂.  I felt so bad for the people seated near me and explained why I was coughing and that I wasn't sick!

 

Being an inexperienced cruiser, I booked travel for the same day as the cruise embarkation. 

 

Never Again - I always fly in at least one day prior now - lesson learned and luckily I didn't miss my cruise 😁.

[PatandStu]

Going to drive to Montreal & grab a direct flight to FLL.  
All about best timing for mom.