Which flight should I choose based on L.A. Traffic?

[OFF TO WDW!]

Long story short I have the option of two flights for our trip to DL on Saturday, April 28th.


A) JFK - Long beach- Flight leaves 1:30 P.M. on Saturday and arrives in Long Beach @4:30 p.m.


B) JFK - LAX- Flight leaves 9:59 a.m. and arrives in LAX @ 1:07 p.m.



My question concerns are these:

I have heard the traffic in L.A. is brutal at times,but I am not sure that also means on a weekend.

Secondly, I also understand that Long Beach airport is not very large and that means we probably won't wait long for our baggage?

Is the 3.5 hours worth flying into LAX or are we better just flying into Long Beach?


Thanks

 

[Disney Dreams]

Flying in and out of LBX is the easiest experience ever. You will not believe how easy once you've done it. I don't quite understand what you mean by "Is the 3.5 hours worth flying into LAX?" as the flight time is the same.

Traffic on the weekend is generally not bad, but with LA traffic, you never know for certain what can happen.

If I had the option to fly into LBX or LAX, I would select LBX

HTH,
Dreams

 

[yoyoyo]

I love the Long Beach airport. Its really easy to get in and out. As far as baggage claim is concerned, its actually a belt on the outside of the airport terminal and the wait to get bags isn't usually that long.

 

[OFF TO WDW!]

I don't quite understand what you mean by "Is the 3.5 hours worth flying into LAX?" as the flight time is the same.

HTH,
Dreams

Sorry for being vague. What I meant by the 3.5 hours is getting to DL that much sooner.

Is it worth flying into LAX to gain 3.5 hour with the traffic and airport as opposed to going into Long Beach 3.5 hrs later and getting to DL. I hope that I said it better!

 

[jetskigrl]

On a Saturday, you should be fine with either one of those times. The freeways can get a little backed up if there is an accident or something, but it is nothing like weekday traffic.

For the airports, I have never had a problem with LAX at all. Many people seem intimidated by it, but it seems very straightforward to me (just busier, LOL). But still, for that reason alone, I prefer Long Beach airport. It is just so much smaller and quieter. As a comparison, most if not all, planes use an outdoor staircase/ramp rather than a jetway to get passengers to the terminal. If price is not that much different, then I would choose Long Beach.

As for the part about getting in 3 hours earlier if you use LAX, how long is your trip? Do you have special plans for that evening that you would like to be in the room and settled for? Let's put it this way, if I was going to Vegas for the weekend and leaving from LAX would get me there 3 hours earlier, I would leave from LAX. If I was going to Orlando for a week, I would have no problem leaving 3 hours later and flying out of Long Beach, because it is the easier airport to deal with.

Hope that helps

 

[OFF TO WDW!]

On a Saturday, you should be fine with either one of those times. The freeways can get a little backed up if there is an accident or something, but it is nothing like weekday traffic.

For the airports, I have never had a problem with LAX at all. Many people seem intimidated by it, but it seems very straightforward to me (just busier, LOL). But still, for that reason alone, I prefer Long Beach airport. It is just so much smaller and quieter. As a comparison, most if not all, planes use an outdoor staircase/ramp rather than a jetway to get passengers to the terminal. If price is not that much different, then I would choose Long Beach.

As for the part about getting in 3 hours earlier if you use LAX, how long is your trip? Do you have special plans for that evening that you would like to be in the room and settled for? Let's put it this way, if I was going to Vegas for the weekend and leaving from LAX would get me there 3 hours earlier, I would leave from LAX. If I was going to Orlando for a week, I would have no problem leaving 3 hours later and flying out of Long Beach, because it is the easier airport to deal with.

Hope that helps

Thanks for replying!

We are flying in from New Jersey.

No, we have no special plans, but I thought we would get more out of the day by getting there earlier. We are only staying 5 days, so just trying to make the most of it ( as long as it makes sense!)

 

[DizneGal]

IMHO, and I'm from LA, I don't think it really matters and I would just go the cheapest route. Mileage wise, I think LB is closer (I'm guessing!), but you will be losing the three hours. I doubt you will be stuck in traffic for three hours- but you never know with SoCal traffic- even on weekends.

I've never flown into LB. I'm in Dallas now, but I've always gone into LAX, Burbank, or Ontario. All are convenient to DL. Hope that helps!

 

[yoyoyo]

We're in the same predicament, except we're deciding between SNA and LAX

LAX (according to google maps) is a 33 min drive. LGB is a 27 minute drive.

LAX to DL is a straight shot on 5. With LGB, you take the 405 to the 22

 

[SarafinaPink]

We're in the same predicament, except we're deciding between SNA and LAX

LAX (according to google maps) is a 33 min drive. LGB is a 27 minute drive.

LAX to DL is a straight shot on 5. With LGB, you take the 405 to the 22

If SNA is an option, take it! It's the closest and easiest airport by far. LAX may be a strait shot, but 33 min is a very idealistic time and not really realistic.