Direct Air to Sanford, FL???

[Jacquaman]

Who has traveled to the Mouse via Sanford? It appears to be about an hour from our hotel, the Beach Club. I can save a ton on air fare, but I do like magical express from MCO.
I'd like to hear from those who come in this way. How well do the car services work out? What's your estimated time from landing to the front desk? And lastly, if you've used ME how does it compare?
Thanks a bunch!

 

[DebbieB]

Who has traveled to the Mouse via Sanford? It appears to be about an hour from our hotel, the Beach Club. I can save a ton on air fare, but I do like magical express from MCO.
I'd like to hear from those who come in this way. How well do the car services work out? What's your estimated time from landing to the front desk? And lastly, if you've used ME how does it compare?
Thanks a bunch!

I know they were on the news here in Pittsbugh a couple of months ago, they cancelled flights to Myrtle Beach last minute and left people stuck, they claimed mechanical issues. There's no alternates with an airline with limited service.

 

[MapleGirl]

I just booked with them for our April 2012 trip. I have never flown with Direct Air before and I am a bit nervous. I've heard mixed reviews. From what I understand they reserve the right to cancel their flights if not enough seats are sold. (Please correct me if I am wrong.) I was happy to see what our flights are 1/3 full to Sanford and 1/2 full going home. Just in case I have a contingency plan: take the train to Orlando.

By the way: DirectAir is offering their flights at 50% this week. Our flights from Worcester, MA to Sanford/Orlando came to $366.80 for 2 adults. I am very pleased with this.

 

[Tink9295]

My take on Direct Air.

I flew DA In April from Worcester to West Palm Beach. I was going to see my mom who was sick in the hospital. (stable at the time). I got to the airport to find a slight delay. (No phone call or email with a heads up) Apparently it was a mechanical problem from the day before and they knew they're was a lengthy delay ahead of time. This I heard from passengers who should have flown the day before and were put on my flight. Since my mom was stable I stuck it out not knowing it was a five hour delay. Well.....my mom took a turn for the worse while I waited and passed on while I was taking off. Never got to say goodbye.

The reason I tell this story is if you have to be somewhere in a timely manner, know that they fly from regional airports and there is no or very little options to switch airlines. (In my case none). I wish I had thought of that at the time.

They do have some of the best prices. So check the schedule and make sure there is some flexabilty. I wouldn't say don't fly them. Just know all your options before you do.

I may consider them again.....after I get the bad taste out of my mouth. I'm not quite there yet. I did email them and never got a resonse. I didn't want anything. I just wanted them to know their staff mislead the passengers when checking in by telling them they're was only a slight delay.

Good Luck.

 

[staci]

I have never flown Direct Air, but I have flown into Sanford. Small airport, easy to navigate, easy to get out of. Its been a few years, so I cant remember the exact time for travel, but I remember it being an easy drive and having no issues.

With two kids and all the stuff that comes with a vacation with children, I LOVE not having to have a layover and be able to go directly there.

I do miss ME, but on the flipside, it is nice to have a rental car to run off property. Last trip DD ended up with an ear infection while in wddw, and it was no big deal for me to get her to an urgent care since I already had the car.

 

[MapleGirl]

My take on Direct Air.

I flew DA In April from Worcester to West Palm Beach. I was going to see my mom who was sick in the hospital. (stable at the time). I got to the airport to find a slight delay. (No phone call or email with a heads up) Apparently it was a mechanical problem from the day before and they knew they're was a lengthy delay ahead of time. This I heard from passengers who should have flown the day before and were put on my flight. Since my mom was stable I stuck it out not knowing it was a five hour delay. Well.....my mom took a turn for the worse while I waited and passed on while I was taking off. Never got to say goodbye.

The reason I tell this story is if you have to be somewhere in a timely manner, know that they fly from regional airports and there is no or very little options to switch airlines. (In my case none). I wish I had thought of that at the time.

They do have some of the best prices. So check the schedule and make sure there is some flexabilty. I wouldn't say don't fly them. Just know all your options before you do.

I may consider them again.....after I get the bad taste out of my mouth. I'm not quite there yet. I did email them and never got a resonse. I didn't want anything. I just wanted them to know their staff mislead the passengers when checking in by telling them they're was only a slight delay.

Good Luck.

Oh, Tink. I'm so sorry for your loss and the terrible situation surrounding it.

 

[ancestry]

In regards to Direct Air, I feel that you get what you pay for. I've heard horror stories about them and they aren't a risk I am willing to take just to save a few dollars. I prefer to stay with a reputable airline flying from an airport that will give me options in the event of unforeseen consequences.

 

[goofy4tink]

I know plenty of people that have flown DA out of Worcester to Sanford. The vast majority have had good experiences. I flew them last April, out of Worcester to Sanford. It was a very good experience. Our fares were incredibly low.
BUT....as mentioned, if you have to be somewhere, at a certain time, DA may not be your best choice. They are really a charter airline. They have only so many flights each week. If there is an issue with a particular flight, it is going to be hard to get another plane in there in a timely fashion....and it could be a day or two before they can get you to your destination.
When I flew them last April, I figured that if there was an issue, we would take a refund and then get in our car and drive to Florida. Our cruise departed on Sunday morning, our flight was Thursday morning. Plenty of time to drive down if we had to. Yes, we would have missed out on US/IoA but we would have made the ship departure time.

I fly them this coming Sunday. I'll let you all know how it goes.

 

[Tink9295]

Oh, Tink. I'm so sorry for your loss and the terrible situation surrounding it.

Thanks. Time truly heals all wounds. Who knows...maybe I'll fly them again....when I have the flexability.

 

[goofy4tink]

Tink9295.....I can't even come close to knowing how you must have felt. I am so sorry you had to go through that. As you said, time heals all wounds, but it sure would leave a bad taste in my mouth.

On another note...just wanted to report on Sanford. I love, love, love this airport. It is small and ridiculously friendly and easy to navigate. The car rental counters are just a hop, skip and a jump away from baggage claim....very easy.

Yes, it is about an hour to WDW. But, the drive is pretty easy. And there are plenty of options for stopping along the way to pick up anything you may need.
When you drop off your car..it's a quick walk across the street to the terminal. Takes about 2 mins. So convenient.

 

[dudspizza]

My take on Direct Air.

I flew DA In April from Worcester to West Palm Beach. I was going to see my mom who was sick in the hospital. (stable at the time). I got to the airport to find a slight delay. (No phone call or email with a heads up) Apparently it was a mechanical problem from the day before and they knew they're was a lengthy delay ahead of time. This I heard from passengers who should have flown the day before and were put on my flight. Since my mom was stable I stuck it out not knowing it was a five hour delay. Well.....my mom took a turn for the worse while I waited and passed on while I was taking off. Never got to say goodbye.

The reason I tell this story is if you have to be somewhere in a timely manner, know that they fly from regional airports and there is no or very little options to switch airlines. (In my case none). I wish I had thought of that at the time.

They do have some of the best prices. So check the schedule and make sure there is some flexabilty. I wouldn't say don't fly them. Just know all your options before you do.

I may consider them again.....after I get the bad taste out of my mouth. I'm not quite there yet. I did email them and never got a resonse. I didn't want anything. I just wanted them to know their staff mislead the passengers when checking in by telling them they're was only a slight delay.

Good Luck.

It is very tough when a charter airline can't do anything for you because they just don't have a substitute aircraft sitting around. Your only option is to wait it out and hope they get you in the air soon. In your case, it didn't work out and that really stinks.

I had a similar situation a few years ago. My dad's cancer had gone to his brain and my step mom was flying me from MSP to PHX on US Air. We were on the plane waiting to push away from the gate when the couldn't get the cargo hold closed.... 3 hours of sitting on the plane and they finally get us off the flight.... I finally got rebooked onto a Northwest flight and finally left MSP about 6 hours late....... I got to PHX as the sun was going down and to my dad's house after he was sleeping.... luckily he was still there and I was able to spend a few days with him..... He died 5 days after I flew back home to MSP.

I guess your situation could have happened on any airline and you could have been delayed, so I wouldn't hold it against DA for too long. They are a small airline and I am sure they do the best they can. Even US Air/NW took an extra 6 hours to get me to PHX.

Best wishes...

Duds