Arriving through LA or Anaheim?

[LAS2AMS]

If I can fly direct, OF COURSE that is my preference. If that direct takes me to LAX instead of LGB or SNA...I'm thinking twice about it. Just responding to your post is giving me LAX PTSD. Drivers are rude, it's hard to find the right place to meet shuttles, you have to lug your bags, in some cases that is upstairs but zero signage or anyone there to tell you that, there's almost always a pervasive smell of pot - YEESH is that place an inner circle of hell.

Meanwhile, at SNA, you just walk out to the curb, shuttles are right there. LGB there are no shuttles the airport is so small. No pot, no rude drivers, it's...like being on vacation.

Either way, enjoy. Life is too short.

LOL, I wrote that for most people the direct option form LAX is a better choice than connecting to get to SNA and you responded that you’d rather have an enjoyable connection than deal with LAX. So, your argument is flipping.

I travel regularly and have to pass SNA and LGB to get to LAX. All things equal, I’d take SNA. But things are rarely equal.

For people that come to this forum for objective information, a direct flight to LAX will be faster (to DLR) than the shortest connection at SNA. Spending more money for a longer trip makes little sense. LAX is not the big, scary place people make it out to be. The worst part is dropping or picking somebody up, but the people in this tread are visiting.

 

[Lumpy1106]

LOL, I wrote that for most people the direct option form LAX is a better choice than connecting to get to SNA and you responded that you’d rather have an enjoyable connection than deal with LAX. So, your argument is flipping.

I travel regularly and have to pass SNA and LGB to get to LAX. All things equal, I’d take SNA. But things are rarely equal.

For people that come to this forum for objective information, a direct flight to LAX will be faster (to DLR) than the shortest connection at SNA. Spending more money for a longer trip makes little sense. LAX is not the big, scary place people make it out to be. The worst part is dropping or picking somebody up, but the people in this tread are visiting.

I don't think it is just me, but I prefer my vacation to start sometime around when they turn off the fasten seat belt sign. That, to me, is LGB and SNA, but definitely not LAX where you then have to navigate a nightmarish airport. I always feel bad for anyone arriving in LA for the first time and having THAT as their first impression. At least they've managed to get rid of the strip club you used to have to pass on Century Blvd.

And yes, I think first-timers would appreciate the distinction in the experience too.

 

[LAS2AMS]

My sole objective is to provide factual information to those trying to decide which airport to fly into. The portray of LAX on here is cartoonishly comical. LAX is a large airport complex and has the same problems other large airport complexes have. Every airport had things they’re good and bad at. No doubt small airports are better travel experiences.. but there’s a reason why, especially over the past 10 years, service to small airports has diminished.

Most of the people asking this question are from the East. For the lion’s share, LAX will have more flight options, more nonstop flights and better pricing. Flying nonstop will yield a faster trip time to the DLR than if you make a connection to SMA. A short connection means you’re rushing to your connecting gate, and maybe you have a few moments to wait to use the bathroom and/ or grab a snack. Good luck with kids in tow. A longer connection means you’re wasting a lot of time. All this to avoid sitting in a car because you don’t want to see non-scenic areas?

As I mentioned earlier, connections carry a risk of misconnecting - which will cost you a day of vacation and often force you to stay overnight at your own expense at the airport.

We were suppose to do a two week Hawaii cruise over Christmas/ New Year’s. My parents were joining us and I flew them into SNA since I didn’t feel like navigating LAX picking them up in a crowded day. Their inbound flight to PHX was late so they rushed to reach their connecting gate. Well my mom is elderly and in poor health… and ended up falling and spending a week in intensive care at a hospital in Phoenix. We didn’t have insurance so we were debating if some of us should go… when Princess sent an email asking for volunteers willing to give up with trip in exchange for a refund and a free cruise good for two years. So we lucked out.

But always take the direct flight.

 

[MagicDVC]

We always have a connection when traveling to LAX or SNA, so that doesn’t matter. What matters to me is convenience. I am willing to pay a little extra for less stress than flying through LAX, unless it’s significantly cheaper. Rental cars were cheaper out of SNA this time.

 

[maleficent55]

We always have a connection when traveling to LAX or SNA, so that doesn’t matter. What matters to me is convenience. I am willing to pay a little extra for less stress than flying through LAX, unless it’s significantly cheaper. Rental cars were cheaper out of SNA this time.

LAX isn't stressful. Every time Iv'e flown through there it's straight forward and easy.
besides rental cars, it will likely always be cheaper via the LAX option vs the SNA option

 

[LAS2AMS]

LAX is a collection of relatively small terminals. TSA is comparable to SNA, even faster in some of the terminals.

Most people asking this question in this forum are taking a hired car or ride shares. Hired cars and premium ride share options can pick you up at the terminal. General ride shares require you to be picked up at the It lot. ANY rideshare can drop you off directly at your terminal.

Busses to the It lot are every 5-7 minutes. Walking takes 5-15 (Terminal 1 and 2/3 - which are Southwest and Delta mostly - will save time if you walk). If you use the app to book your ride when you exit the terminal, they will track your pace and send the request so that it’s waiting (or arrives shortly after you do) when you get to the lot.

I have never had an issue getting a ride share at LAX. But I have had numerous occasions where it’s taken me 10-30 minutes for a drive to agree to a pickup at SMA. Both LAX It and SNA will have drivers offering to drive you to your destination without using the app, but they’re more abundant at SNA. I think LAX is more aggressive in ticketing etc.

If you hire a basic ride share, from the time you land until you reach the DLR is about one hour more than SNA most of the day Your return (and your outbound if you choose a hired car or premium ride share) is 30-40 minutes longer most of the day.

I’ll never understand why users asking for money saving tips, will then say it’s worth paying $200 extra per ticket to fly from SNA. So you’re looking to save $1 on your corn dog but think it’s worth spending $800 to save 90 minutes in a car? If you’re choosing a connection over a cheaper nonstop, you’re actually taking longer….

In don’t get it but to each their own.