Best Airlines Options?

[beachdreamr1229]

Hi everyone. We're flying from LAX to MCO next December (I know tickets aren't on sale yet, but we're planners and want to book as soon as dates open up for flights so we get the seats we want and are trying to get a general idea of budget). And I'm a little frustrated because our options for nonstop flights are really limited. I normally fly Alaska everywhere, but that's not an option for this trip. We can either do an 8AM American Airlines flight, which would get us to MCO at a reasonable time in the afternoon, or we can go with Delta, JetBlue, or United and get in around dinner time. I'm not excited about getting there later in the evening because it'll be dark by the time we get to WDW, but I have heard nothing but bad things about American Airlines. So, if you were me (and my family of 7 including 3 children who have never been on a plane before--age 8, 8, and 11 at time of travel), would you take the earlier flight even though American is less than wonderful, or pick one of the later flights? And if you'd go with a later flight, which is your preferred airline and why?

 

[DebbieB]

Hi everyone. We're flying from LAX to MCO next December (I know tickets aren't on sale yet, but we're planners and want to book as soon as dates open up for flights so we get the seats we want and are trying to get a general idea of budget). And I'm a little frustrated because our options for nonstop flights are really limited. I normally fly Alaska everywhere, but that's not an option for this trip. We can either do an 8AM American Airlines flight, which would get us to MCO at a reasonable time in the afternoon, or we can go with Delta, JetBlue, or United and get in around dinner time. I'm not excited about getting there later in the evening because it'll be dark by the time we get to WDW, but I have heard nothing but bad things about American Airlines. So, if you were me (and my family of 7 including 3 children who have never been on a plane before--age 8, 8, and 11 at time of travel), would you take the earlier flight even though American is less than wonderful, or pick one of the later flights? And if you'd go with a later flight, which is your preferred airline and why?

I would not make a decision based on schedule this far out. It will change several times, especially with American.

 

[RogueX]

Agreed on not judging schedules this far out. I myself despise AA, but have to to use them when they are the contract carrier for certain routes at work. I've only flown United once and I would say that I'm fairly neutral about them.

Jet Blue personally would be my choice, but I've flown them probably a dozen times and only once ran into an issue.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I get not judging based on the current schedule, but the schedules haven't changed in the past 6 months that we've been casually looking... So I guess I'm asking, in the hypothetical event that schedules don't change, which would you pick? I do appreciate the feedback.

 

[macraven]

I fly with Delta or United

Both have done schedule changes at the 3 months prior to my flights

Whatever you book now could change

 

[RogueX]

I'd still recommend Jet Blue. One thing to note when you book with them is the difference in fare structure. The Blue fare allows no baggage for free and you can't preselect seats.

 

[Spunky946]

Have you looked at southwest? Free luggage and pick your own seat.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

I would pick the earlier flight. When you're dealing with layovers, the later they are in the day, the more likely you're going to be affected by delays in other flights. With kids, especially those who may be nervous flying, I also prefer being able reserve my seats. That way I can prepare the kiddos for what the flight will be like.

 

[SL6827]

Delta.

 

[Bjkandma]

Scheduled more than likely will change on all airlines this far out.

I've travelled for nine years to MCO and only flew Delta. Very happy with their services. (First year my 6 year old granddaughter and myself). I hadn't flown since the 1970s and she never flew. We were well taken care of.

 

[Karin1984]

Really check what the complaints are, and how reliable is the comment. Let's say the biggest complaint is about the amount of legroom. That remark is only valuable if you know the height of the complainers. If you are short of stature, this complaint is nothing to you. If it is about food, but you do not care about it or decided to eat at the airport anyway, this also goes out the window.

 

[_19disnA]

As others have mentioned, you need to consider the source of complaints and what exactly their issue was. All airlines can have delays due to bad weather or unexpected equipment issues. What matters more to me is how they deal with this. Were they able to switch service to a different aircraft to minimize the delay, etc.? Have flown on most of the major airlines and they all seem well organized. If they don't start boarding until 5 minutes before a flight, then clearly that flight won't leave on schedule. Gate agents need to be at their post and ready for boarding and never had that type of issue on the major airlines. Some of the low cost airlines always seem disorganized, short on staffing and act like it is their first week in business.

When comparing prices, make sure to include ALL costs for your intended trip. Checked baggage, pre-assigned seats, etc. all need to be considered. Some budget airlines pricing is misleading since it is only the 'base' price and once your add all of the regular items, their prices isn't nearly as attractive as advertised. That would be an example of 'misleading pricing' since it impacts EVERYONE using that airline.

Some people just like to complain, so reading a list of complaints in some online airline review site may not provide any useful information that allows you to make an informed choice. Vague comments about 'customer service' also doesn't mean much to me unless it is clear what their issue was and if it is something that frequently impacts those who travel.

 

[JimMIA]

I guess the questions I have are what are you trying to accomplish, and why?

To me, it's very difficult to fly from the West Coast and expect to spend any time at a theme park that same day. It's a 5-6 hour flight and you lose 3 hours with the time zone change. So if you leave in the early morning, you've still spent the whole day traveling, and you're tired.

I hate red-eyes, but I might be tempted to take one and spend much of my first day at my resort to rest and relax so I could really enjoy the theme parks on Day 2.

The other question I have would be how much time do you have at WDW? Two days? A week? Two weeks? The duration of your trip matters greatly...much more than which airline you fly.

 

[charmed59]

That 8am LAX to MCO non stop on AA isn’t necessarily real. I booked that in November. It was changed a week before to stopping in DFW and getting into MCO at 8pm.

Next year airlines may be running their cross country non-stops, but right now, those LAX-MCO flights are a mirage.

 

[gatour]

It is not clear if the flights you are contemplating are non-stop. If they are non-stop, then layovers don't really come into play.

In regards to the 8am flight you have to take into account arriving at the airport an hour or two beforehand. Also you need to take into account travel time to the airport. This means getting up extremely early. Combine that with the 5-6 hour flight means you and the kids will be exhausted and probably grumpy. I would go with the later flight, so I could get a decent night sleep.

These days I fly Delta, and have no complaints.

 

[EACarlson]

I would fly Delta and this is why: They run hourly service from ATL-MCO and everywhere that Delta goes flies into ATL. If your non-stop gets changed or you have IRROPS if you can get anywhere you can get to ATL and then to MCO the same day. You are going to count that first day as wasted anyway, may as well spend those couple hours at your own home rather than being incredibly tired at the resort.

 

[sam_gordon]

I prefer Delta. But I've flown others also. Many of their planes offer BYOD "streaming" movies/tv shows if not seat back screens, especially if it's a larger plane (but I've seen it on some smaller ones too).

As PPs have said, if you book as soon as flights open, you will probably have a schedule change at some point, AND even if you don't get a schedule change, they may change aircrafts meaning your seats still get messed up.

Personally, I would look at a red eye and just plan on Day 1 at the resort/Disney Springs, turn in early, and hit the ground running on Day 2 (as PP suggested). Obviously it depends on where you're staying, how long you're staying, what tickets you're getting, etc.

 

[happymommy]

If it were me, I’d opt for the slightly later flight. I always used to take the super early ones to Disney (we’re a short 2 hour flight away and have lots of nonstop options with SW as we live close to BWI which is a hub), and now that I’m a bit older it’s exhausting to have to get up so early! I know SW isn’t a choice for nonstop, and I’ve only flown Delta and AA of your choices (heard good things about Jetblue though!).

If you’re arriving later in the day/evening, not sure if this could be a viable option: stay that night at the Hyatt in the MCO airport, get a good sleep, then take magical express in the morning to your Disney resort. Either way, even if Disney is back to delivering luggage to resorts, I’d collect mine if it’s after 5pm or so; it can take several hours at times to get your luggage delivered.

I totally understand planning ahead; we own a timeshare and book 12 months out. We’re going to Hawaii last two weeks of October next year, and I’m already looking at flights (will book in the next few weeks or so).

 

[Disneyfan754321]

I like early flights.. we get a hotel room at the airport to save precious time in the morning...
Being at the airport at 5 or 6am is really early with younglings

 

[Princess2R]

I get not judging based on the current schedule, but the schedules haven't changed in the past 6 months that we've been casually looking... So I guess I'm asking, in the hypothetical event that schedules don't change, which would you pick? I do appreciate the feedback.

My last 4 American flights changed or were canceled around the 30 day mark.

I'd pick my flight a few months before going based on there price+ time I liked