{
  "response": {
    "Key": "ORL-SJO",
    "orig": {
      "code": "ORL",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Orlando",
      "fullCity": "Orlando, Florida",
      "airport": "Orlando Executive Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "SJO",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "San José",
      "fullCity": "San José, Costa Rica",
      "airport": "Juan Santamaría Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "A direct flight from Orlando (MCO) to San José (SJO) typically takes about 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes. With one stop, common layovers include Miami (MIA) or Panama City (PTY), resulting in total travel times of 5 to 7 hours. The return flight is similar, though sometimes slightly shorter due to tailwinds, around 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 25 minutes nonstop. Airlines like JetBlue and Spirit often offer competitive nonstop times."
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Yes, there are direct nonstop flights from Orlando (MCO) to San José (SJO). Four airlines operate the route: JetBlue (B6) with 69 weekly flights, Southwest (WN) with 28, Volaris Costa Rica (Q6) with 24, and Frontier (F9) with just one flight on Saturdays — all running daily except Frontier's single weekly service.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q2": {
        "question": "Are there visa requirements to travel from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Yes, there are entry requirements for travel from Orlando to San José, Costa Rica. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 180 days, but a valid passport with at least one blank page and proof of onward travel are required. Nationals of other countries should check Costa Rica's visa policy, as many enjoy visa exemptions while others must obtain a visa in advance. If you are a Costa Rican national, no visa is needed for entry to Costa Rica. For the return to Orlando, Costa Ricans typically need a U.S. visa unless they hold a passport from a Visa Waiver Program country and have an approved ESTA."
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in San José?",
        "answer": "From Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to downtown San José, official orange airport taxis are the most used option, offering a flat rate of around thirty US dollars and taking twenty to thirty minutes depending on traffic. Ride-share services like Uber operate but are not fully regulated, so pickup points may be less convenient. Public buses run frequently and are the cheapest choice at under a dollar, but they are slow, crowded, and lack space for luggage. Car rentals are available at the airport, though driving in the city can be challenging due to congestion and limited parking. Private shuttles can be pre-booked for a more comfortable ride. Most travelers choose taxis for their reliability and simplicity."
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "The cheapest months to fly from Orlando to San José are April, March, and May, with average fares around $384, $385, and $401 respectively. The most expensive months are December, January, and February, with average fares around $714, $588, and $545 respectively.",
        "methodology": "This 'good deal' estimate shows a representative best price for each departure date across roughly a 12-month window (about 3 months back and 9 months forward). It is built from real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, accumulated into a price history for each departure date. Rather than weighting all of that history equally, we apply exponential time decay so recent prices dominate — a price seen yesterday counts almost in full, one from about a month ago roughly a third, and prices from a few months back very little — giving a figure that tracks today's market instead of a stale long-run average. Clear price outliers are removed before any calculation, departure dates with no observations are filled in from nearby dates, and the resulting curve is lightly smoothed so it reads as a clean seasonal trend rather than day-to-day noise.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "For the Orlando to San José route, the optimal booking window is roughly 6 to 9 weeks before departure, with average fares around $470. For summer and holiday periods, you should book further ahead, as prices tend to rise closer to departure, with last-minute tickets averaging $619.",
        "methodology": "This booking-window guidance is built from the same real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, re-grouped by how many days before departure each price was seen (from the departure day out to about 180 days ahead) across the route's price history. At each booking lead time we report the 25th-percentile price — the cheaper end of what travelers were quoted, rather than the rock-bottom minimum (which can be a fluke) or the average (which is pulled up by expensive last-minute fares). The buy-or-wait advice then applies a risk premium that grows as departure approaches, since seat availability shrinks and prices become less predictable; using that adjusted curve we flag windows where waiting is likely to save a meaningful amount (at least $20 or 5%) versus windows where booking now is the better call. Isolated single-day recommendations are filtered out, so the advice only reflects a window that holds for several days in a row.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "booking_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "There are no nonstop red-eye flights from Orlando (ORL) to San José (SJO). However, connecting red-eye itineraries are available, such as a late-night Avianca flight departing Orlando around 11:40 PM, arriving in Bogotá at 2:45 AM, then connecting onward to San José after a roughly 4-hour-45-minute layover.",
        "methodology": "Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "redeye_flights"
        ]
      },
      "q7": {
        "question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "From Orlando (MCO) to San José (SJO), nonstop service is available on JetBlue (median fare around $1,008), Southwest (around $736), Volaris Costa Rica (Q6), and Frontier (F9). Southwest and JetBlue operate daily flights, while Frontier currently shows only one weekly flight on Saturdays. These are the carriers shown in the schedule data; other airlines may offer connecting options.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "relevant": true,
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Orlando and San José?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities include Miami, Atlanta, Houston, and Panama City. Miami and Atlanta offer frequent, quick connections and keep total travel time competitive. Houston provides a central hub with efficient transfers. Panama City offers visa-free transit for many nationalities and is a major gateway to Central America."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time departures on this route from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "On‑time performance is generally good, but afternoon thunderstorms in Orlando can disrupt schedules. Early morning departures, particularly on carriers like JetBlue and Spirit, tend to be more reliable."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to San José?",
        "answer": "December to April is the dry season with sunny days and comfortable temperatures, though it's peak tourist season; May and November offer a balance of decent weather and fewer crowds."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Bring a passport valid for at least six months, proof of onward or return travel, a payment method for baggage, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a risk country."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in San José?",
        "answer": "San José has one main airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). It is located about 20 minutes northwest of downtown San José and serves as the primary gateway for international and domestic flights, hosting most major airlines and alliances."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to Orlando Executive Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "Orlando Executive Airport is about 3 miles from downtown. Public transportation is very limited, so rideshares and taxis are most popular and take under 10 minutes, costing less than driving and parking yourself."
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at San José airport?",
        "answer": "No on-site hotels or sleeping pods exist at San José airport. The Courtyard by Marriott is a short walk from the terminal via a covered walkway. Other nearby hotels like the Holiday Inn Express offer free shuttle service."
      },
      "q15": {
        "question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at Juan Santamaría Intl Airport?",
        "answer": "Yes, Juan Santamaría International Airport provides currency exchange offices in the main terminal, a non‑denominational prayer room near the food court, and free Wi‑Fi throughout the airport."
      },
      "q16": {
        "question": "Are there accessible services or children's facilities at the Orlando and San José airports?",
        "answer": "Orlando International offers wheelchair assistance, accessible restrooms, and a children's play area in the main terminal. San José Juan Santamaría Airport provides mobility assistance and accessible facilities but lacks dedicated children's play areas. Request assistance through your airline at least 48 hours before departure."
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "The nonstop flights from Orlando to San José typically use an Airbus A320-100 on JetBlue, while Southwest's aircraft type is unspecified in the schedule data. Connecting itineraries most often involve a Boeing 737 MAX 8 or Boeing 737-800, commonly via Houston (IAH) with United or Panama City (PTY) with Copa, though the exact aircraft can vary by day and airline. Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available on this route.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Nonstop flights from Orlando to San José are operated by JetBlue, Southwest, Volaris Costa Rica, and Frontier — none of which belong to a global airline alliance (JetBlue and Southwest are notably unaffiliated). SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and oneworld do not appear on this route nonstop, though they may offer connecting service through their hubs.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Orlando?",
        "answer": "Orlando International Airport has a Delta Sky Club in Terminal B near Gate 71, accessible to Delta One, SkyTeam premium cabin passengers, and Sky Club members. Terminal B also houses The Club MCO, a Priority Pass lounge offering complimentary food and drinks. In Terminal C, the Plaza Premium Lounge accepts Priority Pass and sells day passes, featuring a bar and shower facilities."
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Baggage allowance on flights from Orlando to San José depends on the airline and fare type. Basic economy fares are restrictive and may not include a checked bag. Standard international economy fares typically include one checked bag and a carry-on. Premium cabins offer more generous allowances."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Orlando to San José flights typically offer Economy and sometimes Premium Economy, but flat‑bed Business class is rare on this route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary by airline and fare, but flexible and premium cabin tickets typically allow same‑day changes or standby, while basic economy often does not."
      },
      "q24": {
        "question": "What are the cheapest days and times to fly from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "The cheapest day to fly from Orlando to San José is Thursday (average $774, minimum $242), while Sunday is the most expensive (average $860). The cheapest time of day to depart is midday (minimum $242), whereas late night is priciest (minimum $959).",
        "methodology": "The cheapest day of the week and time of day to depart are drawn from the same large sample of real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours, grouped by the day of the week and by the time-of-day window of the outbound departure, with the lowest and average price reported for each.",
        "relevant": true,
        "toolsUsed": [
          "departure_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q25": {
        "question": "What is a good price for a flight from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "A good price for a flight from Orlando to San José is anything under $535, which counts as a great deal based on recent fare data, while the typical price runs around $750.",
        "methodology": "The typical price, the lowest fare, a 'great deal' threshold, and how fares are spread across price bands are summarized from a large sample of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours, with a small fraction of extreme outlier fares excluded from the range.",
        "relevant": true,
        "toolsUsed": [
          "price_context"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}