Direct into LAX or one stop into SNA?

[theostwalts]

I have read several threads saying flying into SNA is preferable to LAX. I will be flying out of Charlotte, NC and can fly direct to LAX. SNA would be one stop with a choice of airports for that stop. It is pricing out at about $115 more for the direct flight at this point.

What would you recommend?

 

[millie0312]

I think it depends on a lot- how inconvenient your layover would be for you, times of flights, etc. I have 2 young kids and a mom in tow so a direct flight might be more preferable to me personally, but if each ticket is $115 more I might change my mind (we have 3 adults and 1 ticketed child). The drive from lax is about an hour and sna is maybe half that, but really in the scheme of a layover and changing planes and waiting until the next plane leaves the direct flight and longer drive will probably save you time. You also have to remember it's easier to navigate smaller airports so if that's an issue sna might be a better choice.

 

[mom2rtk]

We're flying in direct to LAX, but leaving out of SNA with a plane change in Denver.

For us, the calculus changes with every trip. It depends on the prices and schedule. Since we're leaving after a full day of school, a direct flight works best for us. And on the return trip, I don't like taking a chance of getting stuck in traffic heading to the airport. You can get a flat rate voucher for a taxi from Disney hotel bell services, so we just do that. It allows us to have more time in the parks on the day we're leaving, rather than building in a bunch of extra time getting to a bigger and busier airport.

 

[lalasmama]

$115 less to have 1 stop, and fly into SNA? I'd go for it, assuming it's not a long stop/layover. Your travel costs to DLR area from LAX would also tack on a bit more to the cost, when compared to SNA.

 

[4Siamese]

Every families situation/needs is going to be different but for me a direct flight will always be my 1st choice.

 

[taffy]

I woluld always go direct. We love SNA so if we can get direct to SNA then we do otherwise I would stick with direct to LAX.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I like a direct flight, too, but if it's $115 more to LAX, then I would choose SNA (and I like LAX since that's the only airport I fly out of).

 

[Zbugz]

I would choose SNA based on price alone. I find SNA to be preferable, because of its size, ease of car rentals and shorter distance to the parks.

 

[Aladora]

We will always fly into SNA, regardless of the stops or cost.

 

[DaretoDis]

Direct and nonstop are not the same thing.

 

[raydurz]

I wish I could have flown into SNA during my last trip. We had a 900 am flight out of LAX and in order to beat rush hour traffic we moved to a hotel near the airport the night before. That was a headache.

 

[Angrose]

Something else to consider is the time of year you will be flying. With plane changes there's always a chance of getting stranded at an airport during the winter. At that time of year I would only fly direct.

 

[CLR4321]

I'd do SNA with one stop for sure. Closer to DL, WAY less hectic trying to get around, and apparently cheaper.

 

[bumbershoot]

It is pricing out at about $115 more for the direct flight at this point.

Per person or total?


I personally like a nonstop, and I don't mind LAX at all. I find it easypeasy to get around as a traveler, with very little confusion once there. I don't find the drive (and I've been driven, I have driven, I've taken the express bus, and a shuttle) to be that awful (vs our recent drive to SNA, which took nearly an hour b/c of traffic).

But...nonstop to LAX for you is more expensive. So...

What's the better flight? Does one leave annoyingly early? Does the change and second (very very short) flight get you there annoyingly late? What is more pleasant, airport and flight wise?

 

[MillauFr]

I would take the LAX flight if it was non-stop. If the LAX flight was direct and it stopped at another airport on the way but you didn't have to change planes then I might think about taking the SNA flight.

 

[Metalliman98]

Something else to consider is the time of year you will be flying. With plane changes there's always a chance of getting stranded at an airport during the winter. At that time of year I would only fly direct.

This. I fly from coast to coast frequently and always take direct, especially in the winter. I've missed too many connections due to airline/weather issues to want to connect unless there is absolutely no other option. the more stops on your route, the more chances that something will go wrong and delay you.

Direct and nonstop are not the same thing.

This is technically true, but in common use direct and nonstop are used interchangeably. I can think of exactly one time that I took a flight which made a stop before going on to my final destination. it wasn't called nonstop, of course, but I don't recall it being labeled direct either; though it would have been technically correct for the airline to call it a direct flight, in common use direct is equivalent to nonstop, and I suspect the airlines don't want to risk raising the public's ire more than they already do.

 

[GenGen22]

Another suggestion is did you check flying into LGB. I prefer non-stop especially with the traffic from LAX to DL area... But if it's gonna cost a lot then I would probably deal with the traffic.

 

[dec2009mama]

i'd prefer direct into LAX