Cleveland/Akron flight help needed

[TinkOhio]

I just found out that taking my DD on a mother-daughter getaway for Spring break is doable. After checking the rates for flights to MCO from the Cleveland area, it's clear that flying out of Akron will save us hundreds. Having never flown out of CAK, there are some concerns that I have. Can anyone familiar with the area lend some advice?

I work in a school and will not be able to leave untill 3:30 on Thursday, March 24th. We are interested in a flight that departs at 5:51 from Akron (CAK.) This flight is nonstop and is hundreds less than any other that I have found. Friends and Mapquest estimate this as a 50-55 minute drive from our starting point, my school. The route from my school to CAK is pretty much a straight shot down 77. A friend will be waiting in my parking lot with my daughter to quickly drive us down and drop us off at the airport. We're never flown out of CAK, and we are aware that 77 around Akron can get backed up at rush hour. I've been told that Akron's airport is very small and takes very little time to navigate and check in at.

My concerns about booking this flight, which will probably sell out very quickly, are:

-Will we be hitting major traffic on the way to the airport?
-Will getting to the airport 90 minutes or less leave enough time to check in for our flight?
-Will a Thursday evening in March be a very busy time?

The other Thursday evening flight costs a good bit more, leaves later, and has 2 layovers. We wouldn't arrive untill close to midnight, and that is without allowing for delays.

I want to jump on these cheap seats, but I'm still a little worried about the schedule. Please help me make an educated decision!

 

[CarissaDance]

I wish I could help. I'm closer to Columbus and looking into flying out of a smaller port than CMH, thinking it might be cheaper too. Hope someone can offer you some good advice!

 

[kydisneyfans]

As a University of Akron grad that drove to Canton everyday, I cannot recommend taking this flight. March is still snow season, and by the sounds of things you would drive through the secondary snow belt. Any type of accident and there is no chance of making the flight-Akron's rush hour is fairly rough, and since Canton has few jobs left, tens of thousands commute to Akron daily. Keep the radio on and take the Kenmore leg/bypass if 77/76 are messy.

It will take very little time for security at CAK-the airport is small. For piece of mind though, take the later flight with layovers to ensure you make it on time safely.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks for this advice! Now off to google the Kenmore leg bypass.

 

[jamich]

I'd say go for it! We are doing pretty much the exact same thing the night before you are. The kids get out of school at 3:30 and we live approx 45minutes from CAK.
CAK is a small airport, easy to navigate, get through security, etc. I'm not the least bit worried about the time getting there.

 

[LeslieG]

The only thing I would be worried about is checking bags. If you have to stop at the counter, I've seen it really backed up. If you're not checking bags, I wouldn't be worried.

 

[minnierocks]

We love flying out of CAK! The times that you have listed leave little room for any delays. It is March and who knows what the weather will be like. Most of the Akron city employees end their day at 4 pm, which puts you right in the middle of rush hour. You will not be using the Kenmore leg, if you are coming straight down 77 so no worries there. You will take 77S all the way to the airport. Honestly, we are flying out of CAK the same day as you are, but on an earlier flight. I completely understand the price difference as well as the convenience of a non-stop flight. But please be aware that if you are flying Airtran then the odds that your time is going to change is very good...so I am not sure that I would take the chance. The stress for me would be unbearable and that's no way to start a vacation. Is there any way that you could take a half day to ensure that there are no problems in safely getting to the airport? CAK is really easy to navigate and an hour to check in and get to your gate should be plenty of time...but there can always be that one day when lines are long and there are many delays. Only you can decide if you want to risk it...I hope this helps

 

[taximomfor4]

I have flown out of CAK several times. While most of the time I get my bags checked and through security in very little time, I have also had it go the other way. The line to check bags the last time I few (August 2010) was very, VERY long...I had checked in online and most people didn't notice a separate line for that, so I only had to wait behind 2 people!! Anyway, then we went toward security which was backed through all of the weaving lines and into a loooooooong line of people behind that whole section. I was surprised. It did take quite a while to get through. I always allow a couple of hours at the airport, so it wasn't an issue for me but it was for many others.

If you can, I'd try to take a half day or something, or else settle for the later flight.

 

[bcuinohio]

I live in NE Ohio and I saved a ton of money by flying out of Pittsburgh and landing in Tampa. We are going the week before Easter and I got RT airfare for $197.