Help finding direct flights from Detroit or Chicago

[marsbars]

I am HOPING to visit one of the Couples between September-December of 2010 but planning the trip around the best flights. In the past, I've been able to find direct flights from Chicago or Detroit, but I can't find any. I'm a horrible flier, so I'm willing to pay a little extra for a direct. Anyone have advice on airlines or certain travel dates? I've tried using the travel search engines, but they all come up with no flights available. Thanks!

[donjohnson]

We flew United in December and from what I was told, there is a direct flight ONLY on Saturday. We were making a connection, missed it by 5 minutes and United was awful about getting us there on another flight. We eventually had to switch to Delta through Atlanta.

Since i'm sure I can't post links, do a google search for "ita software login" and click the 1st result and log in as a guest. This is what I always use for my flight searches and it's a great resource.

Be careful with United from Chicago and Chicago in general, they cancel flights WAY to easy...i'd try to catch a direct flight out of Detroit if I were you.

[rjammin]

I think the only regular daily nonstop from Chicago to MBJ and back was Air Jamaica. As you probably already know, AJ will no longer be in business after April 11th. Supposedly, Caribbean Airlines will be taking over the Air Jamaica routes after that date. Stay Tuned!

[JohnMon]

There was a direct flight from Detroit to Montego Bay on Delta/NWA when we booked in November. Not sure if this is still available now that they are 100% Delta. We flew direct in 09 but are stopping in ATL this year, the price was so much cheaper.

[rrallen]

We're flying American out of Chicago direct but have a layover in Miami on the way back. It probably depends on the day of the week you want to travel. Another option is to check with Apple Vacations. We actually booked just the flight to MBJ the last time we went. I think it was on USA3000 or something like that. Hope this helps.

[Chris]

We're flying direct from DTW to MoBay on May 22...

[MryWitt]

Both apple vacations and funjet vacations have non-stop charter flights from Detroit or Chicago.

[Musicalrose]

We're flying direct from DTW to MoBay on May 22...

Wow Chris - are you driving or flying to Detroit? Wouldn't it be easier to go out of O'Hare? You are in WI right?

[cosmet]

we are flying us3000 direct from Chicago. It will be nov. and it flies out on sundays and it is early to get you there early coming back it leaves Jamaica at 11:40 so you lose the last day totally.
but it is direct.

[BigdogLips]

Hello Marsbars be patient with this, a you are looking to far out I believe airlines do not release flights till about six months out so that could be why you are getting no results on search engines at this point in time.
American airlines has direct out of Ohare but not daily so you may have to play with travel days, USA 3000 (which is Apple vacations charter) also has direct flights but again you have to fly on the days they operate which also is not a daily flight.

[Tallman2nd]

Try Kayak.com to search, and select "prefer nonstop" on the front page. AA has direct flights from ORD to MBJ on both Saturdays and Sundays in August (when we have been shopping the flights). Only $450 round trip...no too shabby. Good luck.

[Steve & Cindy]

United runs a flight direct only on saturdays, we scheduled our trip in jan 2011 around that flight just so we do not have to spend 15 hours traveling with layovers, etc.

[Chris]

Musicalrose... we're flying to Detroit from Green Bay... but the flight from DTW to MoBay is a non-stop... which was the original poster's question....

We try to fly NWA (now Delta) all my flights... the connections are pretty solid, and we generally arrive in MoBay early pm; so it works for us.

[Mzambo]

Have you tried Delta on Saturdays out of Detroit? They typically keep the Saturday nonstops, however, may stop them during the week in the off season.

[Mestralle]

The nonstops are fewer and fewer from the north of the country, I'm afraid, but as stated above, they do still tend to run on Saturdays. We actually prefer not to go that route, as on the return, the airport on MoBay is a nightmare at that time.

If Grand Rapids is close to you (just a guess since that's where we are, and it's midway between Detroit and Chicago), there's a great flight that leaves early in the morning with a quick stop in Memphis. It can tend to be pricey, though, and it fills up fast (at least the leg to Miami).

Memphis is definitely our first choice for a stop, even from Detroit, but since the merger, Delta/Northwest has been pulling a lot of those and going through Atlanta instead. I'd still take Atlanta over a Miami plane change, though, as I just find the airport a little easier to deal with.

All of the above advice is sound, but I would perhaps suggest that if you're open to flying out of either Detroit or Chicago, you won't really have trouble finding a flight and that it might be more financial prudent to lock in the resort deals now. I would say that you can expect to spend somewhere between $300 and $500 per ticket round trip depending on your flexibility and preference, and presuming you book the flight by about June.

I would also add that even if you can book this far out, the airline is likely to make changes. On our last trip, we booked in May for a November trip, and our flight changed three times (two very minor changes of about 5 minutes but one that had us leaving an hour and a half earlier, about which they neglected to inform us), so make sure you check up on it from time to time.

[caribbean beach bum]

We're flying Delta from Ithaca, NY to Detroit and Detroit to Montego in April. It's a Saturday flight. Not sure if they offer the Detroit to Montego every day.

[frozenbutt]

NWA out of Detroit on Saturday leaving at 9:11 and arriving at 12:31 direct.
Not a charter. Returning Saturday leaving Montego Bay at 1:33 arriving Detroit at 6:50

[AnnieKay]

We are flying out of Detroit on Dec 11 returning on the 21st, nonstop flight with Delta, leaves Detroit at 9:30 AM and departs from MBJ at 3 something.