Best way to fly with a group

[Elizabeth Caruso]

I'm researching the lowest cost way to fly ±25 public school teachers from Boston to Detroit next February for a conference. We each must cover our transportation costs, and can only take one weekday off to travel (we'll return on a weekend day). conference fees and lodging are covered already.

Train out, plane back? Charter flight? Consolidation airfare? Group rates on commercial airline? Floo powder?

 

Thanks in advance!

Betsy from Mission Hill School

[Anil]

I'd say, call all carriers and ask for group sales desk.

[Sam Scribe]

I once arranged something like this for a family renunion, although not to these cities. Anil's advice is right. Northwest, longtime ruler of the Detroit airport, is now part of Delta, so contact Delta group sales.

The family group for which I arranged a reunion had about 35 people, and that wasn't enough to justify the cost of a dedicated charter flight for our group only. Of course, that situation may have changed, but I wouldn't count on it. 

[Elizabeth Caruso]

Thanks Sam. I have indeed contacted Delta, and a couple of consolidators as well. Looks like having each of us book individually may be far cheaper than any of the rates through the group offices. Perhaps we'll short ourselves into groups of a few and try for the cheapest fares available...