Continental Flying into TPA

[Duckkie]

Okay we are a Girl Scout troop going to WDW May 29 - June 7, 2011. We have a decent sized budget (saving since 2009) but are trying to save money where we can to have "nicer" things at the park (Treehouse, deluxe dining, photopass, etc).

So, we've decided to fly into Tampa instead of MCO. That saves us $154pp in airfare/rental van costs. For seven people that is a significant savings in our budget.

However.... I've never flown Continental before. We are United people generally but United is $64pp more for this trip and I can't justify it if Continental is decent.

Tell me everything you personally know about Continental.. Are they mostly on time, is the 737 comfortable, have they finished the headrest TV installation yet, is the staff friendly, are they strict about carry on luggage, etc.

Btw... Roundtrip ONT -> TPA is $329pp

Thanks in advance!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Continental is fine, although if you are a premium United member, you will miss those E+ seats. You can check on time statistics here:

http://www.bts.gov/xml/ontimesummar...marySelect.xml?tname=OntimeSummaryAirlineData

They are just as strict about carry-on baggage as most airlines (as they should be).

As always, you can check specific aircraft configuration at seatguru:

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Continental_Airlines/information.php

Did you know United and Continental are merging?

 

[Duckkie]

Continental is fine, although if you are a premium United member, you will miss those E+ seats.

Yes, the E+ is the norm, but this isn't a family trip, it's a GS trip so I'll be okay with strict Cattle Car.

You can check on time statistics here:

http://www.bts.gov/xml/ontimesummar...marySelect.xml?tname=OntimeSummaryAirlineData

Great site, thanks! Not too terribly bad on diverted/delayed. United is not much different.

They are just as strict about carry-on baggage as most airlines (as they should be).

I was thinking more in terms of storage space (vs being forced to check bag) in the overhead bins for normal carry-on sized roller bags and personal item backpacks. I know my daughter got stuck checking something at the last minute because of a space issue on Delta this year.

As always, you can check specific aircraft configuration at seatguru:

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Continental_Airlines/information.php

Did you know United and Continental are merging?

I did read they were merging which is what caused me to look at the site for prices vs. United. I like United, I like their service, their planes, and their staff. Plus it is my norm/comfort zone. But to save $400+ of GS money I'll move out of my comfort zone.

 

[travelngma]

We fly on Co. 2-3 times a year, never late or lost bag. Also flown into TPA on Co. and had no problems. Piece of cake to get to Disney. About an hour drive. That is how our family of 10 did it.

 

[shoes99]

We flew into Tampa on June 24th on an evening flight from NJ. Our flight was late due to weather in the NE, so we arrived around 10:30PM. We had no problems, and we had the screens on the seat backs. Remember to bring your own headphones. We were also served a turkey sandwich and a drink. The flight was fine. We rented a car from National, and drove to All Star Sports. We were on property by 12 midnight.

 

[Duckkie]

Thanks for the responses! We are booked ONT -> TPA with a rental minivan booked with National

 

[beachbunny]

By the time you fly, Continental may have already been swallowed up by United. So it really won't matter who you book with. Already, if you are United Premiere, you should be able to call after booking to get the good Continental seats at the front Y cabin.

This is very sad for me because I love Continental and absolutely hate United. I used to be a FF with United with over 100K per year but left because of the horrible customer service and positively surly flight attendants (ever fly the Hawaii route?). On one flight, I remember a United FA biting a poor passenger's head off because they asked to purchase a vegetarian snack box.

Continental generally flies newer equipment than United. And they still feed you for free. I wouldn't hesitate to book the Continental flight.