Midwest Airlines Midwest Miles - Milwaukee-Fort Lauderdale, Kansas City-Fort Myers return

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Midwest-Airlines-Expands-bw-1687957246.html?x=0&.v=1

MKE-FLL and MCI-RSW return December 19th. Currently both show 1x/day running through April 19th, flying with E170.

It would not surprise me to see MKE-FLL expanded or extended into summer, but just as with the Airbus moves, the key point is to get something out there ASAP. The main purchase window for winter sunbird flying has already started. If demand is good and the combined fleet permits it, it would be a no-brainer for some of the Florida city pairs to see more seats or more flights come February.

Interesting to note that they restored a Kansas City route. May or may not signal an eventual widespread restoration of MCI, but it does show that they are at least interested in Kansas City.

MKE-FLL and MCI-RSW are both nice additions to the route network.

Based on some of Bedford's comments recently, it wouldn't be surprising to see both of these routes converted to year-round service. With the E170 in the fleet, there's no reason why these two stations can't have year-round flights.

The "introductory fare" is apparently not available until after the high demand, peak travel holiday period, nor are any award travel seats.

Is anyone else having problems booking the new MKE-FLL nonstop with YX's booking engine? It is repeatedly showing only codeshares, even though the dates entered are within the specified period during which the nonstop will operate.

Travelocity, however, clearly displays the new nonstop service for FLL.

Is anyone else having problems booking the new MKE-FLL nonstop with YX's booking engine? It is repeatedly showing only codeshares, even though the dates entered are within the specified period during which the nonstop will operate.

Travelocity, however, clearly displays the new nonstop service for FLL.

For whatever reason, schedule changes almost always seem to show up on midwestairlines.com a day or two after they are displayed on sites like Expedia or travelocity. I'm guessing the FLL flights will show up later tonight or tomorrow.

Frankly, I never understood why this occurres.

Is anyone else having problems booking the new MKE-FLL nonstop with YX's booking engine? It is repeatedly showing only codeshares, even though the dates entered are within the specified period during which the nonstop will operate.

Travelocity, however, clearly displays the new nonstop service for FLL.

Same problem here. Midwest.com won't display anything but code share connections.

Same problem here. Midwest.com won't display anything but code share connections.

It's very hit and miss tonight, but I was able to book. The contact center will waive the phone booking fee, if troubles persist online. They are aware of problems.

It would be nice if someone would resume MKE-RDU and MCI-RDU.

It would be nice if someone would resume MKE-RDU and MCI-RDU.

I second that. I fly fairly often to GSO and my current options are limited:

MKE-CLT nonstop on US
Pretty expensive, plus there's a 2-hour drive.

MKE-XXX-GSO
Connecting is a pain

ORD-GSO
Fares are sky high on this route, plus there's the ORDeal.

Beginning Feb 2010, equipment swap on MKE-FLL, with the E190 replacing the E170. Signature Service will be available at a $50.00 surcharge. With the change in equipment, there is also a change in the flight numbers.

It also appears that the service may not operate on a daily basis, during slower travel periods, but resumes daily service during peak times. However, there are times, during winter break, when the route is not operated daily. I believe that this change occurred following the initial schedule roll-out.

It also appears that the service may not operate on a daily basis, during slower travel periods, but resumes daily service during peak times. However, there are times, during winter break, when the route is not operated daily. I believe that this change occurred following the initial schedule roll-out.

MCI-RSW appears to only operate once per week (Saturdays) during January and part of February.

Midwest has operated MKE-FLL on a reduced schedule in the past during slower travel periods (the flights often did not run on Tuesdays or Wednesdays).

The demand for Florida flights usually begins to pick-up significantly around mid February, but I also wonder if advance bookings haven't been as strong as anticipated. This is especially true for MCI-RSW.

Midwest has operated MKE-FLL on a reduced schedule in the past during slower travel periods (the flights often did not run on Tuesdays or Wednesdays).

The demand for Florida flights usually begins to pick-up significantly around mid February, but I also wonder if advance bookings haven't been as strong as anticipated.

MKE-FLL operates on a daily basis beginning mid-Feb 2010. The FLL bookings may be lighter than anticipated; within the last week or so, YX began running radio spots, specifically promoting the route.

Was the E190 placed on the route because of

Demand for Signature Service on the route (to compete against FL Business)?
Greater capacity?
The E170 is needed for another route?

Was the E190 placed on the route because of

Demand for Signature Service on the route (to compete against FL Business)?
Greater capacity?
The E170 is needed for another route?


...or the economics of the E190 are far more favorable than the E170 for a high volume, low yield route like FLL.

Honestly, I think MKE-FLL has been hit harder by the recession than some of the other Florida destinations. Cruise traffic has taken a big hit.

Even last winter, AirTran's daily MKE-FLL flight had fairly light loads even with significantly less capacity/zero non-stop competition.

Even last winter, AirTran's daily MKE-FLL flight had fairly light loads even with significantly less capacity/zero non-stop competition.

Note AirTran has a better schedule this winter and has downsized to a 717.

Note AirTran has a better schedule this winter and has downsized to a 717.

MKE-FLL is 737, while FLL-MKE is 717. Maybe they think that a lot of traffic
consists of snowbirds, who will remain in Fla till spring.

MKE-FLL is 737, while FLL-MKE is 717. Maybe they think that a lot of traffic
consists of snowbirds, who will remain in Fla till spring.

When I booked that flight a few months ago it was 717 in both directions. AirTran must be re-evaluating their aircraft needs.

Last February, I arrived in FLL at 11:00 PM and returned to MKE at 11:00 AM. That schedule was certainly not very cruise friendly. Of course, it was hastily put together when Midwest abandoned that market.

IIIRC there were only 60 pax on board that outbound segment.

I've been looking for award travel on MKE - FLL with my Midwest Miles and it is almost impossible to do for a free RT. :(

I've been looking for award travel on MKE - FLL with my Midwest Miles and it is almost impossible to do for a free RT. :(

Good luck, flyYX! Seats on the leisure routes have traditionally been very hard to get during peak periods, sometimes even months in advance.

I've been looking for award travel on MKE - FLL with my Midwest Miles and it is almost impossible to do for a free RT. :(

I have found the 25K awards on Midwest to require months of advance planning.

What about the 50k Roundtrip choice award?

I've been looking for award travel on MKE - FLL with my Midwest Miles and it is almost impossible to do for a free RT. :(

I tried to book a pair of seats on the route, immediately after reading knope's post about the route's reinstatement (thanks, knope), and before any seats had been booked. When I called the MM department, I was the one who told them that the route was reinstated! After checking with a supervisor, they advised me that due to the smaller capacity of the aircraft (76 passengers), there was essentially a blackout for award travel on the route. I was subsequently advised that award travel would be allowed commencing 01/05/2010. I ended up buying a pair of tickets.

You may want to consider doing alternate types of awards, such as companion, or one-way with a purchased ticket for the other leg; sometimes there is award travel on one leg, but not the other. The MM CSRs try their best to accommodate, so I usually call, if I see no online availability. They can check much easier and more quickly than you can. They may also be willing to put a request in, to see if any additional seats can be opened for award travel; sometimes, if the bookings on some dates are extremely light, they will open more award travel seats.

I used to constantly watch for the route to see if it was loaded, and booked December award travel in March. Even then, I was not guaranteed my first choice of dates, as others had the same idea.

Good luck with your efforts. If you cannot get the dates you want, there are off-peak fares right now on MKE-FLL, which are very competitive.

I have found the 25K awards on Midwest to require months of advance planning.



On certain routes this is definately the case. It can be very difficult to snag a free seat or two to a place like Vegas or Orlando.

In my experience, the more traditional business routes seem to have pretty decent award availability.

All posts above are correct regarding snagging award availability.

One other tip...if you know your travel plans well in advance, you can book up to 330 days (11 months) in advance. I have done this for cruises and other vacations booked out that far ahead of time.

Probably not practical for most people to book this far in advance, but I've had 100% success in my extra-long-term award travel attempts.

I also wonder if advance bookings haven't been as strong as anticipated. This is especially true for MCI-RSW.My wife and I enjoy going to RSW, but when I first learned they had brought the service back and priced a trip the prices bordered on insanely high.
Probably not practical for most people to book this far in advance, but I've had 100% success in my extra-long-term award travel attempts.Have you had 100% success in the flights still existing when your trip actually rolled around? :)

When I booked that flight a few months ago it was 717 in both directions. AirTran must be re-evaluating their aircraft needs.



November & December 717 in both directions.

January-May 737 outbound, 717 return.

My wife and I enjoy going to RSW, but when I first learned they had brought the service back and priced a trip the prices bordered on insanely high.
Have you had 100% success in the flights still existing when your trip actually rolled around? :)

Yes, but I haven't done it as much recently as I have switched most of my flying to AirTran.