7am flight from Atlantic City

[lizzie64]

Hello all,

Well we are 14 days out from our trip. We are on the 7am flight on Spirit out of Atlantic City.

Spirit says we need to be there 3 hours before - putting that at 4am. I had read before that their gates don't even open until 5am.

Anyone flown out of AC recently? Your experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Liz

 

[puffkin]

Did not ever fly out of AC, but ...

We flew out of PHL last June on a 6:10 am flight. We got to the airport at 4 am, which was a complete waste of time. The e-ticket kiosks and counters did not open until 4:15 am and security did not start screening until 4:30. Being that it was so early in the morning there were no lines. I doubt AC would be much different. I would think that you would be fine getting to the airport at 5 or even a little later.

 

[lizzie64]

thanks puffkin,

my thoughts exactly. However, just spoke to spirit and they did say that the gates open at 4am.

Not sure what to think now.

 

[billwendy]

we got there at 4 and it wasnt open yet...we just sat around the tiny airport for about an hour before we got to go upstairs...no shops were open yet either....cute little airport though, did you get a good price???

 

[lizzie64]

I booked back in July of 2002 got $180 round trip. Can't get that now. I'm so glad I booked when I did

 

[ducklite]

Lizzie--I do'nt fly out of there either, but three hours seems a tad ridiculous. Even the notoriously screwed up PHL only suggests 1 1/2 hours (although there I always plan on two).

I would say that 2 hours would be more than sufficient.

Anne

 

[lizzie64]

Hey Anne,

I said the same thing about 3 hours. I took a hotel room near the airport so we will be 15 minutes from the airport and can actually get some sleep (yeah right) the night before we leave.

Spirit does not assign seats in advance, so I'm concerned that they say 3 hours and If I don't make it there with 3 hours that maybe they'll split us up on the plane.

My 15 years old would be fine, but I would hope that they'd keep the 4 and 2 year old with us. I know I'm probably just looking for something to worry about, but, that's me.

Oh, and I went to Godiva like you suggested on Monday. Great buys. Thanks for that tip.

 

[ducklite]

LIzzie--worst case is that they'll put the 15yo with the 4 yo and one of the twins with each of you. They aren't going to seat the 2yo's by themselves--I'd gladly give you my seat if that were the case Sitting next to an unaccompanied 15yo--no problem. Sitting next to an unaccomapnied 2yo? No thanks, I'll take the wing!

Anne

 

[lizzie64]

Anne,

My twins are the 15 year olds. Lucky me???

I'm still thinking that they'll keep the 4 and 2 year old with us. I'm neurotic, so I'll probably make sure I get there at 4am, just to make sure I'm the first person on line at the gate and get first crack at the seats.

I got a great rate with Spirit, but I'm not sure not having assigned seats is worth the savings.

 

[ducklite]

I wouldn't worry about it--they'll definitely rearrange people to keep the younger two with one of each of the adults--although possibly not all four of you together. As far as the 15 year olds--maybe you should look a the bright side--they probably WON'T be with you

Anne

 

[Disney Dude]

We always use spirit, and we always fly out on the 7 am flight. We usually get there around 5 am and make out fine. I don't think I would get there at 4 though. Earliest I would get there would be 4:30
Have a safe trip, and if you can, post on how the security is at check in over there now, and what time you did chose to get there.

 

[KNWVIKING]

One of my customers flew out Friday morning.He was told to be there by 5:00 am.

 

[shelly3girls]

We flew Spirit out of AC in December. We arrived around 5:45am and had plenty of time. If you are concerned about your seats you should probably arrive around 5, but I wouldn't be too worried. We have found Spirit very accomodating concerning the children, we have DD's 2 and 4. We also had a great price and found our trip to be one of the most pleasant airline experiences we have ever had. Although we had a negative experience in the past with Spirit in 2001, it appeared to me that their customer service had greatly improved since then.

 

[zurgswife]

I had friends fly the 7am flight in march...they got there around 5am...they said luggage search was real slow cause they do everything by hand....

 

[prncess674]

What day of the week are you flying?

 

[lizzie64]

Originally posted by prncess674
What day of the week are you flying?

Friday

 

[prncess674]

Assuming you are flying on a Friday morning that is not a holiday weekend I think getting to the airport 1.5 to 2 hours prior to departure is plenty of time. Friday mornings are typically very slow at most major airports. Friday evening is another ball of wax all together. Also since Atlantic City, NJ is a tourist destination the bulk of the Friday travel will be into AC you will be doing the exact opposite.

 

[lizzie64]

Thanks prncss. I appreciate the info

 

[prncess674]

you also didn't mention if you were travelling with small children who needed to be seated with you. If you aren't travelling with small childeren you could even get there later if you don't mind potentially sitting separate from your companion. Remember you are only in the air maybe 2 hours and you will be together non stop for your vacation. I personally value sleep that early in the morning.

I just checked out the AC airport web page. There are only 3 carriers that fly out of AC, and two of them are commuter airlines which means smaller planes and hence less passengers(Delta Connection and US Air Express). I would now say getting to the airport in the 1.5 hour range is very generous. Sleep in a little later and be ready to hit WDW.

 

[lizzie64]

Wow thanks.

we actually took a room at a hotel 10 minutes from the airport for the night before, so we wouldn't have to get up early and drive.

I have two 15 year olds and a 4 year old and a 2 year old travelling with me. the 15 year olds could sit apart from us but the little guys have to be with us.