Anyone here fly Allegiant air out of Portsmouth, NH or Worcester, MA?

[Snoozan]

Just wondering what anyone's experience has been using Allegiant Air. We're currently holding Delta tix for our early May trip, but am already thinking of a Plan B, just in case. Prices aren't too bad, times are not so good, but I could work with them. Anyone?

 

[belle&beast]

We flew Allegiant Air out of South Bend, IN in January and cannot say enough good things about it! We had a direct flight and rented a minivan to get to POR. Our flight was on time, plenty of room on board and the staff was great. It was nice to fly into a small airport, too. They do not serve complimentary food or beverages, but you can purchase something or bring your own snacks. We will definitely fly them again just for the convenience and direct flights and the prices were great!

 

[MomofCKJ]

My neighbors flew Allegiant out of Worcester in the fall and they were happy with it. I know there are very few flights they do Worcester to Orlando and back and that would be my only issue, the days/times they fly that route.

Allyson

 

[Jeanne B]

We flew Allegiant from Sanford to Portsmouth last October and we were very pleased with them - the only reason I didn't book them again for our trip later this month is because they don't have Saturday flights which is what we needed so we went with SW instead.

 

[Jacksmom99]

We flew them in February out of Worcester. We had a great experience and would definitely use them again. What I loved about Worcester, was that we were the only flight using the terminal, no crowds. Parking and unloading at the curb was also very easy. The flight was on time, and all the attendants were very nice. One was even practicing saying "Wuh-sta" with all of us locals.

The down side is the times. I did not like having an early return flight. Also, remember that they fly into Sanford, not MCO so you'll have to change your rental car reservation, too. I also really liked the Sanfor Airport, and didn't think the drive to WDW was too long.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Delta has far better survival odds than Allegiant! Despite its problems, Delta is very likely to be flyong at the end of May when you are going, and given that BOS-MCO is one of their most important routes, they will certainly be flying it. Allegiant has a very short record, and its predecessors on the Portsmouth or Worcester to Sanford routes have stopped business every now and then, and cancelled the occasional flight when the planes was not as full as they wanted. It's just not a very good record. Also, with a major carrier like Delta, you will have a better likelihood of another airline hororing your ticket; on a charter carrier like Allegiant, you have no such probability.

It just strikes me that using Allegiant as a backup for Delta is like using a bald tire to replace one with somewhat worn tread. If you are really interested in a backup plan, think about a car reservation, one that can be cancelled at no cost.

Good luck!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Please forgive me for asking a slightly OT question. How's Worcester Airport now? We used to live within walking distance of there and it seemed half the flights were cancelled due to fog. Twenty years ago, several airlines flew out of there-remember US Air and the "Yellow Bird" one (Northeast?)? Eventually, so many left because of the unreliable weather. I hope it's better now-more modern instrmentation, perhaps?

 

[BigTigger]

We flew them in February out of Worcester.

Did Worcester finally get a luggage x-ray machine for screening passenger luggage? When I flew out of there last fall, they had to hand check all luggage which led to a 35 minute delay on departure. The excuse the airport had was that with just one scheduled flight a day, Massport wouldn't buy an x-ray machine for the airport. They did put out a free spread of coffee and danish and muffins for us. That helped us to keep busy while the other passengers were screened.

The other great thing about Worcester is the free parking right across from the terminal.

 

[BigTigger]

Please forgive me for asking a slightly OT question. How's Worcester Airport now? We used to live within walking distance of there and it seemed half the flights were cancelled due to fog. Twenty years ago, several airlines flew out of there-remember US Air and the "Yellow Bird" one (Northeast?)? Eventually, so many left because of the unreliable weather. I hope it's better now-more modern instrmentation, perhaps?

It was foggy on our return flight last fall, but that didn't slow us down to land (I'm assuming ILS was used to assist the crew). The only thing I did notice was that when we came in the wind seemed to catch the plane and we landed very hard. Enough that I really noticed and I fly enough to not be phased by much, so I think the wind still wreaks havoc up on the hill.

I do remember the Yellow Birds and Northeast. They used to fly into the airport in Hyannis too and I remember a pilot seeing me drooling over the plane and all the activity around it as they prepared it for boarding like most 8 year olds would do and he called me over to the gate and gave me little model of the plane (DC-9 I think) that really flew. it was a light styrene type plastic and had a black rubber nose. I had that model on my desk for years after. Of course those were the days where nothing but a chain link fence guarded the airport. No security checks or anything, just a guard and a gate person making sure you had a ticket in hand as you went through the gate.

 

[goofy4tink]

That is my plan B also!!! I flew out of Worc back in 11/01...right after 9/11! It was strange to see men with guns roaming around. We flew PanAM and it was a decent experience. I would fly out of Worcester again, with no issue. My only problem with Allegient is that they don't have great schedules. I do like the $79 each way though. And the fact that they offer a $21 pp one way shuttle to WDW!
Since I have tickets to fly on a Monday, and return on a Sunday, with Delta, I can match those with Allegiant. But, I don't think the strike is going to happen. Of course, that could be wishful thinking on my part.

To another poster...Worcester Airport is very nice now. I used to go up there during college for those 'nighttime' visits. It's nice to see such a good little airport up there now...clean, bright, easy to get to, easy to use, and good parking.

 

[Jacksmom99]

Did Worcester finally get a luggage x-ray machine for screening passenger luggage? When I flew out of there last fall, they had to hand check all luggage which led to a 35 minute delay on departure. The excuse the airport had was that with just one scheduled flight a day, Massport wouldn't buy an x-ray machine for the airport. They did put out a free spread of coffee and danish and muffins for us. That helped us to keep busy while the other passengers were screened.

The other great thing about Worcester is the free parking right across from the terminal.

Yes, they have an x-ray machine. Check-in and getting through security was very easy. However, parking is no longer free. $8.00 a day isn't bad however.

 

[Jacksmom99]

Delta has far better survival odds than Allegiant! Despite its problems, Delta is very likely to be flyong at the end of May when you are going, and given that BOS-MCO is one of their most important routes, they will certainly be flying it. Allegiant has a very short record, and its predecessors on the Portsmouth or Worcester to Sanford routes have stopped business every now and then, and cancelled the occasional flight when the planes was not as full as they wanted. It's just not a very good record. Also, with a major carrier like Delta, you will have a better likelihood of another airline hororing your ticket; on a charter carrier like Allegiant, you have no such probability.

It just strikes me that using Allegiant as a backup for Delta is like using a bald tire to replace one with somewhat worn tread. If you are really interested in a backup plan, think about a car reservation, one that can be cancelled at no cost.

Good luck!

I don't think that Allegiant is a bad back up plan. I do agree that Delta will probably be flying by the end of May, but as an immediate back-up, Allegiant would work. They're not going to go under in the next few weeks. At the moment they appear to be doing very well. Until I hear they're receiving bad press, then I'm going to continue to keep them on our list of carriers to consider.

 

[magiroux]

I used to love flying out of Worcester years ago. Used to fly to Newark, NJ (Continental, I think) for business a couple times a month. It was just sooooo "hassle free" compared to Logan. It seems every couple of years a new carrier comes into Worcester with hopes of reviving the airport traffic there, and unfortunately it never seems to work out. I hope Allegiant is different. I think it is a great little airport.

I would actually like to fly them for our Dec cruise but they don't have a lot of schedules choices and our time window is very limited.