Advice/Recos for Flying into Long Beach Airport (LGB)

[ValpoCory]

With the new travel dates for January and part of February released by Southwest and JetBlue, I have stepped up my Airline searches from Austin, TX.

JetBlue flies non-stop to Long Beach (LGB) from Austin, for considerably cheaper than Southwest charges for its one-stop flights to SNA. We are staying onsite and were not planning on renting a car.

I have never used the Long Beach Airport. Has anyone here ever used it? Should I stick to the big 2 (SNA/LAX)? Has anyone used a shuttle service?

Any advice and/or recommendations are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[KateDrake]

We LOVE flying JetBlue into Long Beach! The airline is great (who can pass up a free bag these days???) and we love their snacks and the individual TVs in every seat.
Long Beach is an extremely small airport (we jokingly call it the "double wide" because it is basically a few trailers) but that is actually a huge benefit vs. LAX. You'll be able to pick up your bag and be in a cab in about 15 minutes! Super easy. We've never done the shuttle, because we always have enough people that it is more cost effective to take a taxi. It's about $45 and is maybe a 30 minute ride. It's super easy to catch a cab, just walk due east from the luggage claim - they are only about 100 yards away.
If it's cheaper, I'd say do it for sure! I'd fly Jet Blue over Southwest any day!

 

[steves1bear]

We fly into LAX at least once a year, DH several times a year, but we had the chance to fly out/into Long Beach with Jet Blue. If given the choice of a big airport over Long Beach, we would take Long Beach. It's small, less crowded, and very convenient to get through check-in, security, and baggage claim. We reserved Karmel shuttle for both directions.

Jet Blue was a great airline to fly. We didn't feel like they were cutting corners or service in anyway. It was the most pleasant flight we've had in a long time. Great airline to fly!

If given a choice, I would choose the Long Beach flight. Our experience was absolutely wonderful!

 

[Escape2Disney]

I agree with all of the previous replies. If available, I'd always pick Jet Blue to LGB! Small airport, nice airline, easy-peasy!

Since we've recently moved, this will be our first trip in 10 years that we won't be able to use Jet Blue/LGB. I'm NOT looking forward to LAX!

 

[theworldneedscolor]

We'll also by flying on JetBlue into Long Beach, but from Portland in October. So glad to here such great things about the airport and airline!

 

[dana278]

Long Beach is super tiny, but also unbelievably convenient. I haven't been in years, but back then I remember the "terminal" being one big room with a door on each wall leading out to the planes. LOL Boring for kids, but great for adults!

Oh and they are currently upgrading the entire airport, but I can't imagine it will affect travelers very much. Maybe some temporary walls and stuff, but Disneyland folks are used to that by now! Hah.

 

[milan15]

If at all possible, I fly JetBlue first and foremost. Even if the flight is about 20-50 dollars more per person, I'll consider it just because they are so much nicer across the board (people, plane, service, etc)

LGB is terrible. You should never fly there. It's only for people who like a small convenient airport with very little stress and the easiest security in the US

stay away

kidding. LGB is awesome. Even if it were slightly more expensive, I would suggest it

 

[raftislander]

I usually fly into SNA because the flight schedule on Alaska is better for me there than LGB. Am flying into LGB this October. I would definitely choose LGB over LAX. The only disadvntages I can think of of LGB over SNA -other than schedule issues- are 1) rental cars are generally more expensive at LGB- not an issue for you, and 2) if there are mechanical issues with the plane it might take longer for it to get resolved than if you were at a larger airport.

 

[Keyser]

With the new travel dates for January and part of February released by Southwest and JetBlue, I have stepped up my Airline searches from Austin, TX.

JetBlue flies non-stop to Long Beach (LGB) from Austin, for considerably cheaper than Southwest charges for its one-stop flights to SNA. We are staying onsite and were not planning on renting a car.

I have never used the Long Beach Airport. Has anyone here ever used it? Should I stick to the big 2 (SNA/LAX)? Has anyone used a shuttle service?

Any advice and/or recommendations are appreciated. Thanks.

We are taking the same flight (Jetblue Austin-LGB) in August. I can give you my impression afterward, but just a couple of notes:
- like Southwest, JetBlue's prices can tend to go up as seats are sold. I missed out on the best-priced tickets on JetBlue by waiting too long (but still got something cheaper than all alternatives!)
- I know you mentioned no car rental, but I found rental cars from LGB much cheaper (25% less!) for the times I was looking at than at LAX. These prices change a lot over time, though.

 

[ValpoCory]

We are taking the same flight (Jetblue Austin-LGB) in August. I can give you my impression afterward, but just a couple of notes:
- like Southwest, JetBlue's prices can tend to go up as seats are sold. I missed out on the best-priced tickets on JetBlue by waiting too long (but still got something cheaper than all alternatives!)
- I know you mentioned no car rental, but I found rental cars from LGB much cheaper (25% less!) for the times I was looking at than at LAX. These prices change a lot over time, though.

Thanks Keyser and all for the responses! I am feeling very comfortable about this.

One note ... we are flying to Disneyland on a Saturday and flying back to Austin on a Friday. Currently they do not have a non-stop flight from AUS to LGB on that Saturday (they send you through New York?!?). They have a non-stop flight LGB to AUS on Friday though.

I was thinking about buying the one-way tickets from LGB to AUS (cheap! $539.20 total for 4 tickets), but looking elsewhere for a one-way ticket from AUS to somewhere. Can I be fairly certain that JetBlue will not add a non-stop AUS to LGB flight on Saturday?

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

I love flying Jetblue!! The seats are bigger, leather and more comfy (it's like EVERYONE is first class!). You get one FREE checked bag (what is FREE? lol) and still the standard 2 carry-ons. They have deluxe snacks and drinks for FREE, plus each seat has a tv screen built into the back so you can watch shows and some movies for FREE! Makes the flight very enjoyable and sooo fast! Remember to bring headphones or earbuds (Ipod ones work fine) so you can listen to the show, otherwise they do have pairs of headphones for purchase that you get to keep for $2 if you forget yours. The best perk of Jetblue? CHEAP flights! They are generally less expensive than other airlines anyway, but often they have amazing sales! We got our tickets for the end of sep-oct from Seattle to LGB for $69 each way! That is pretty much unheard of cheap these days! Like other posters, I too enjoy the smaller airport that LGB is, it's nice to be able to very easily find where you are supposed to go for your flight, and there are no looooong security check lines there. It literally took 30 seconds for me to get through a few months back. And then the security guy said, all cheery like, "Have a lovely day ms." I was like was that it?!? Where is my obligatory pat down?!! You can do a shuttle or taxi to DLR, BUT you can also get a rental car at LGB on hotwire for as cheap as $15/day. The one thing to keep in mind about LGB airport (wish I would have known!!) is that they don't really have food service like bigger airports do, so make sure to you eat lunch or whatever BEFORE you get to the airport. Other than that, it's just perfect!

 

[ValpoCory]

I love flying Jetblue!! The seats are bigger, leather and more comfy (it's like EVERYONE is first class!). You get one FREE checked bag (what is FREE? lol) and still the standard 2 carry-ons. They have deluxe snacks and drinks for FREE, plus each seat has a tv screen built into the back so you can watch shows and some movies for FREE! Makes the flight very enjoyable and sooo fast! Remember to bring headphones or earbuds (Ipod ones work fine) so you can listen to the show, otherwise they do have pairs of headphones for purchase that you get to keep for $2 if you forget yours. The best perk of Jetblue? CHEAP flights! They are generally less expensive than other airlines anyway, but often they have amazing sales! We got our tickets for the end of sep-oct from Seattle to LGB for $69 each way! That is pretty much unheard of cheap these days! Like other posters, I too enjoy the smaller airport that LGB is, it's nice to be able to very easily find where you are supposed to go for your flight, and there are no looooong security check lines there. It literally took 30 seconds for me to get through a few months back. And then the security guy said, all cheery like, "Have a lovely day ms." I was like was that it?!? Where is my obligatory pat down?!! You can do a shuttle or taxi to DLR, BUT you can also get a rental car at LGB on hotwire for as cheap as $15/day. The one thing to keep in mind about LGB airport (wish I would have known!!) is that they don't really have food service like bigger airports do, so make sure to you eat lunch or whatever BEFORE you get to the airport. Other than that, it's just perfect!

Thanks for the tips!

 

[pixleyyy]

We LOVE flying JetBlue into Long Beach! The airline is great (who can pass up a free bag these days???) and we love their snacks and the individual TVs in every seat.
Long Beach is an extremely small airport (we jokingly call it the "double wide" because it is basically a few trailers) but that is actually a huge benefit vs. LAX. You'll be able to pick up your bag and be in a cab in about 15 minutes! Super easy. We've never done the shuttle, because we always have enough people that it is more cost effective to take a taxi. It's about $45 and is maybe a 30 minute ride. It's super easy to catch a cab, just walk due east from the luggage claim - they are only about 100 yards away.
If it's cheaper, I'd say do it for sure! I'd fly Jet Blue over Southwest any day!

We're flying into LGB in December. and either need a shuttle or taxi to get to our hotel. I know you mentioned the price and where to find them, but do you know if they have any larger taxis (mini-van sized) there too or do I need to make other plans? We're a family of 5 with our luggage so we'd need more than a standard taxi.

 

[longhorns2]

Valpcory, I am also flying to DL from Austin using Jet Blue. I went with SW to fly out there, and Jet Blue to return. The non stop home sounded really great, plus $114 for the day I wanted! YAHOOOO!

In the last couple of years I noticed that Jet blue doesn't have a lot of convenient times out of Austin, unless you want to head to NY first. Mostly I look at Austin to Orlando, but that has been my experience. I wouldn't expect anything else to pop uo non stop.

 

[ValpoCory]

Valpcory, I am also flying to DL from Austin using Jet Blue. I went with SW to fly out there, and Jet Blue to return. The non stop home sounded really great, plus $114 for the day I wanted! YAHOOOO!

In the last couple of years I noticed that Jet blue doesn't have a lot of convenient times out of Austin, unless you want to head to NY first. Mostly I look at Austin to Orlando, but that has been my experience. I wouldn't expect anything else to pop uo non stop.

Ok thanks. I just checked some more dates on JetBlue.com. They have a non-stop flight 1417 almost every day, including almost every Saturday through January 5th, 2013, many for the $115 price per person. We fly out there on January 26th, and it's frustrating to see non-stops on the 25th and 27th but not the 26th.

ETA: I called them and they directed me to their website to request Saturday non-stop flights be continued past January 5th, 2013.
https://www.jetblue.com/contact-us/help_contact_problems.aspx

 

[ValpoCory]

For those that have flown JetBlue from LGB to Austin, should I jump on the current $135 per person fare, so wait for something better?

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

For those that have flown JetBlue from LGB to Austin, should I jump on the current $135 per person fare, so wait for something better?

That's so hard to say. Sometimes they'll have sales, but flights DO tend to cost more and more the closer you get to the trip date. Since you aren't going until January, I think you can probably wait just a bit, but be checking those rates everyday. If you don't see anything cheaper within the next month or so, I'd go ahead and buy em.

 

[cp11]

I'm late in my reply, but we absolutely love JetBlue and flying into Long Beach. We have rented a car, taxi and also had a limo pick us up there. It's so easy and just right across the street (if you can even really call it that). Our taxis have always been cars, but I have also seen vans there. Maybe that would work for your family. Just a thought.

Good luck! BTW, they have been remodeling LB airport also.

 

[ValpoCory]

That's so hard to say. Sometimes they'll have sales, but flights DO tend to cost more and more the closer you get to the trip date. Since you aren't going until January, I think you can probably wait just a bit, but be checking those rates everyday. If you don't see anything cheaper within the next month or so, I'd go ahead and buy em.

That's what I was thinking. Thank you!

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

We're flying into LGB in December. and either need a shuttle or taxi to get to our hotel. I know you mentioned the price and where to find them, but do you know if they have any larger taxis (mini-van sized) there too or do I need to make other plans? We're a family of 5 with our luggage so we'd need more than a standard taxi.

Yes they do.


Also I approve of JetBlue into LGB.