NY to Medellin......

nueva york bombero says on Mar 5, 2008, 06:35:

Dates would be 7/28/08 - 8/14/08 mas o menos.......
Thanks!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rocinante says on Mar 5, 2008, 07:02:

Leave earlier if you can, stay longer, what the hell move to Medellín. Actually you chose excellent dates. Don't miss Las Fondas on the last Sunday of the Feria (least crowded).

Book NOW. Do yourself a favor and take:

Avianca 043 down JFK non stop to MDE 7AM arrives in MDE at 11:30AM
Avianca 042 departs MDE at 6PM and lands in JFK at midnight.

5 hour and 10 minute flights, great times, no stops in dreadful Miami airport or Bogotá, no connections, no traffic, no lost luggage, no getting bumped because of a missed connection and $850 - worth every extra penny as you waste no time.

This is almost as an expensive time as Christmas. When you land in Rio Negro the Avianca staff will greet you with a bottle of Guaro, empanadas, singing and dancing, maps and a booklet on the Feria, a poncho....

I know it might be a bit costly but for the extra hundred bucks do it - don't dick around.

A lot of people have problems with Avianca but they are flying through Miami and going through Bogota. I have NEVER had a problem with these flights. EVER. Done it over 15 round trips all throughout the year. Get paper tickets from the airport if you can in terminal 4 JFK there is an Avianca ticket counter. On the day of the flight get to the airport at 4AM the latest as you don't want to get bumped.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Mar 5, 2008, 07:27:

Great info Roc! It's actually $200 more to fly Avianca over AA. But, like you said the layover in Miami sucks! I'm still looking and hoping someone here may know something about JetBlue or Spirit Air flying soon......

0 funny, 0 helpful.

droble77 says on Mar 5, 2008, 07:40:

Agree with everything Roci said. Expensive flights but they're reliable and you just can't beat the schedule and the convenience.

Actually last year, I found it was over $100 more to fly to MDE in early July (for July 4th weekend) than early August.

Plugging in your dates on Avianca.com I see about the same prices for August that I saw last year, around $740. On the other hand, flying around July 4th weekend is already over $1000!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rocinante says on Mar 5, 2008, 07:47:

American is a potential mightmare:

American Airlines JFK-John F Kennedy, MIA-Miami
Thu 24 Jul 11:45 AM - 2:50 PM FL#1299

American Airlines MIA-Miami, MDE-J M Cordova Medellin,
Thu 24 Jul 5:15 PM - 07:35 PM FL#923

Elapsed Time 8 hr 50 min

=============================

American Airlines Medellin, Colombia MIA-Miami Intl
Thu 14 Aug 7:35 AM - 11:50 AM FL#924

American Airlines MIA-Miami, JFK-John F Kennedy
Thu 14 Aug 7:25 PM Thu - 10:25 PM FL#1148

Elapsed Time 13 hr 50 min.

==================================================

Also you lose practically each travel day. How much does one spend on a hotel? How much is your time worth? Peace of mind? Get on the plane and sleep - wake up and you're here.

As you hold out you may want to think of the exchange rate moving away from the dollar and the price of oil AND the natural occurence of airfares rising as the dates become closer. "Maybe" competition from Jet Blue (what's one more flight of 80 people a day?)

Good luck and my post here is for informational purposes only. Surely you will make your own decision. There is plenty of time but I doubt a few explosions in Medellín will cause a dip in prices as these customers coming for the Feria are ex locals who have already seen it all.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Mar 5, 2008, 07:49:

Thanks d77.... I've tried every travel site and all come up with $665.
I'd love to spend a month at least, but too much going on at that time for me.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

droble77 says on Mar 5, 2008, 07:56:

bombero, I see a flight for $743 on avianca.com if you plug in the following dates:

7/29

8/13

that's two days less, also you fly back through BOG

Sometimes, you can save money on the return leg by choosing the flight that goes through BOG.

Actually, going thru BOG on the return leg is not that bad. It's an overnight flight so you can spend practically the entire last day in MDE. Just avoid the last flights of the day from MDE to BOG, (8:20 and 9:20) take the one before which I think is at 7:40 PM

0 funny, 0 helpful.

droble77 says on Mar 5, 2008, 08:02:

On avianca.com the only flight they let you choose for the cheaper fare on 8/13 is the one for 8:20

but what you do is you go to RioNegro airport a little early that day and ask to be moved to the earlier flight, they might even do it for you automatically

I'm familiar with El Dorado (BOG) airport so I can probably get away with the 8:20 flight but sometimes there are really long security lines at El Dorado (lots of night flights to all over South America) so that's your main concern

Whatever you do book your flight asap as roci said, the fares are definitely not going to get any better than what's available now.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Mar 5, 2008, 08:12:

Thanks guys! I'm most definitely booking today. Now, if I can only get my friends' heads out of their asses and book with me!!! My usual travel partner is ready, but too many personalities holds back the group!
Thanks again!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rocinante says on Mar 5, 2008, 08:25:

Don't listen to me because I would feel bad if the prices nose dived. But I have always been of the philosohy of my time is important and let me book now, choose the best cheapest flight and not look back. Swipe my hands and be done with it.

The only time I'd hesitate is if I was not sure I was actually going to go - that is if something could change in my life or whatever. But usually my window of vacation is set as well as my decision to go where I am going - so I bite the bullit and book it.

Good luck.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Mar 5, 2008, 08:28:

I agree and I won't be looking back! It's definite I'm going, I just wish it was sooner!
If flights were cheaper, I'd be in Colombia 8 times a year and not twice!!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Medellin Traveler says on Mar 5, 2008, 15:30:

bombero -

You should book your hotel ASAP as rooms not only book up fast, but rates increase around the festival as well.

La cuidad de la primavera, estoy feliz porque te vuelvo a ver - www.medellintraveler.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Mar 5, 2008, 15:33:

Yeah, thanks I have a friend down there who will give a deposit for a hotel.
How's the weather down there tonight?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rocinante says on Mar 5, 2008, 20:48:

Beeyootiful. Going to bed. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

0 funny, 0 helpful.