Do you fly from Philly?? Newark??

[marcyinPA]

We actually live in the Allentown area, but I can't get a direct flight from Allentown. We usually fly from Philly, but we can also go from Newark (it's about the same distance for us)

I am searching air fare right now, and I'm wondering what carrier you usually fly on? Who has the best fares usually? We fly Southwest last year, and I just signed up for the DING! again, although I know they aren't booking for May yet. I'm just trying to figure out who else I should be checking for good fares.

Thanks for your help!

 

[pamjb]

Marcy,

I am in the Allentown area, too (Orefield). I have always flown to Disney from PHL and we use Southwest. The only time I flew from Newark was when we went to Seattle a few years ago. I know the distance is just about equal, but it just seems that PHL is closer. Not to mention the fact that I am a little more familiar with it. I love the direct flights that we can get with SW, not to mention the low fares.

 

[shoes99]

We live in Central NJ and have flown out of AC, PHL and EWR. We like EWR better because it is only 20 minutes from our home. We were able to get the $59 one way fares out of Newark to Orlando on Jet Blue for our October and November trips to WDW. We love Jet Blue, their planes and their service.

 

[JandD Mom]

We actually live in the Allentown area, but I can't get a direct flight from Allentown. We usually fly from Philly, but we can also go from Newark (it's about the same distance for us)

I am searching air fare right now, and I'm wondering what carrier you usually fly on? Who has the best fares usually? We fly Southwest last year, and I just signed up for the DING! again, although I know they aren't booking for May yet. I'm just trying to figure out who else I should be checking for good fares.

Thanks for your help!

Marcy,

We always book one way flights out of PHL on whomever gives us the best rate at the time we want. I try to avoid Airtran because they have radically changed our flight times in the past and I don't want to deal with a company with no respect for a passenger's schedule.

When coming back to PHL, we almost always book Southwest. Why? Southwest has always gotten the luggage back to us faster than any other carrier. You know USAir is a disaster with this. Airtran is terrible too. We have never waited long for our luggage from Southwest.

 

[havencruiser]

I always fly SW out of Philly.Why??Because whatever fare you book is always changeable through either DING fares or systemwide sales. You can always cancel and re-book at the lower fare.

 

[bnorm27]

We live in Central NJ. Both airports are about a 45 min. ride. ACY is also about the same. We recently flew on Jet Blue out of EWR and I am hooked. My original airfare when I booked it was $828 (all fees included for 4). I got an email that the fares were dropping, and that fare was lowered by $120 to $708. Just before we left, I recieved a 2nd email about a fare sale, and although I could only get a credit for a future flight, saved another $80. So my final airfare for 4 was $628 including all taxes and fees.
Jet Blue has the newest fleet in the industry. Every employee we came in contact with was super friendly, courteous, and went out of their way to make sure we were happy. My kids (DD4 and DD2.5) were flying for the first time. They gave them little wings which was cute. They also got to watch NICK and Animal Planet on their own Direct TV set! There is more leg room on these flights, and the leather seats are wider and quite comfy. I'm a big guy, so I appreciated some more room. I wished they flew to more places out of EWR then they currently do.

 

[janets]

We live in NW Morris County and prefer to fly out of EWR but have gone to LGA and JFK. We try to fly JetBlue whenever possible. We used to do Song as well, but now that Delta has incorporated the fleet, we try to stick w/ JetBlue.

Of course, if Continental has a better price, I would probably take them but JetBlue is much better in our opinion. We had a great flight just a few weeks ago, with a flight crew that kept us laughing, plane door closed 10 minutes before scheduled departure, up in the air and gained 20 minutes on the flight.

Even with the new fare deals, we have not been able to get any reductions on our particular flights (we're going NJ Teachers' Conv. week Sat/Sat) and when the fares came out, JFK was much lower so we're heading out of there. We just had a Sept. trip but our particular flights never dropped and we're holding tickets for Feb. so I'm checking regularly to see what happens with that date.

You'll certainly have more of a chance for a cheap fare on SW but if you come up to EWR, JetBlue is the way to go.

 

[DonnaL]

Hi Marcy,

We live in NE PA (actually the WilkesBarre-Scranton airport is practically in my backyard!) and have been driving to PHL for the past few years flying SW exclusively. It's a two hour straight shot down the turnpike for us, but, we just can't compare another airline to SW ......both price and service. My DH and I are flying to Disney in two weeks for $110.60 each rd trp (that's taxes and everything). We don't even take our own car to PHL......we rent a Budget from AVP the evening before our trip and drop it at PHL the next morning and do the same on the return from PHL. Cost is usually between $35 and $45 each way, depending on time of year. It's actually a little less than paying to park our car at PHL for the week. We always book a later morning flight (11 or after) and that way we don't have to leave our house too early in the A.M.
I know some people prefer to get the earliest flight out and stay over at a hotel near the airport the night before, but, we find this works better for us. Just for the heck of it, I checked both USAirways and Delta out of AVP for prices around the same time as we're traveling in two weeks. They're both WAY HIGHER than $110 and not direct flights, so it actually would take longer to get there than driving to PHL to catch the direct flight on SW.

Donna

 

[amylevan]

We live right on the NJ/PA border about equidistant from PHL and EWR. We fly about 1/2 our flights out of EWR and 1/2 out of PHL, depending on where we're going. Initially, I use travelocity to compare flight prices because it lets you compare surrounding airports. Once I figure out where the cheaper flights are, I book with the airline, NOT through travelocity to avoid the convenience charge.

If we fly out of EWR it's usually Continental, as they generally seem to be the cheapest and the most diverse. There are MANY flights each day to fit your preffered timing. JetBlue is comparative to Continental when flying to MCO(warning, will not show up on travelocity, you'll have to check it separately.) but again, they don't offer many destinations out of EWR.

Southwest is the best when flying out of PHL, but their prices won't show up on travelocity either.

If talking actual airport, I actually prefer Newark. Philly is easier to get in and out of though.

 

[JandD Mom]

For those of you who have flown out of both EWR and Philly, how is the parking at EWR? From what I understand, Philly has a better selection of off-site parking lots than does EWR. I have also been told the parking prices are cheaper at PHL (there is a lot of empty land around PHL and so a lot of off-site parking to choose from).

So my question is, do you drive to EWR and what is the expense?

 

[Tracey1974]

We live in Easton and mostly fly out of Newark- we usually fly Continental exclusively. The past few times we have used a parking lot offsite off of McClelland (sp?) street, I think it is like Avastar or something like that. I can't remember the last time we actually parked at the terminal. Philly's airport is ok but we know Newark's better.

 

[Dina]

We live in suburbs of Philly, and usually try to fly Airtran. We can't fly Southwest because of my son's peanut allergy-- so it's usually airtran or USAirways if they have a better rate.

ETA-- I forgot to answer the question. I've always flown out of Philly International (but I've been flying out of there since I was a kid-- grew up 5 minutes from the airport, so I feel pretty comfortable there, and we live so close that usually someone will drive us to the airport and pick us up). My parents have flown out of Atlantic City once though when going to the keys. They wanted to fly Spirit.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I've flown out of both EWR and PHL. I prefer EWR anyday. I also like to fly continental, we flew SW out of Philly and I don't think I ever want to fly SW again. I know so many people love SW but it's just not for me. I like to have an assigned seat, there was too much drama with what line we were on and all those people in the preboarding, blah blah blah. We had a bad experience with the limo company we used at the Philly airport too. Maybe I'm biased but I like EWR better.

 

[leanne11]

we hate philly, i use it if i have to(last yr) allegiant fly's non stop to orlando,http://www.allegiantair.com/ , i have relatives who live in wilkes barre and they leave from there and usually land in philly with a layover, they would rather do that then drive it. they're are not alot of parking places at phila in the econ lot--so give alot of extra time to park,we had to follow a poor man, like they do in the mall on x-mas, because we had already wasted 1/2 hour looking, i didn't plan for that time at all, it is true, there alot of shuttle services off the airport and i might try 1 next time, those people looked a little more relaxed,

 

[JandD Mom]

we hate philly, i use it if i have to(last yr) allegiant fly's non stop to orlando,http://www.allegiantair.com/ , i have relatives who live in wilkes barre and they leave from there and usually land in philly with a layover, they would rather do that then drive it. they're are not alot of parking places at phila in the econ lot--so give alot of extra time to park,we had to follow a poor man, like they do in the mall on x-mas, because we had already wasted 1/2 hour looking, i didn't plan for that time at all, it is true, there alot of shuttle services off the airport and i might try 1 next time, those people looked a little more relaxed,

Leanne,

Just FYI, the Philly Econo lot is terrible. There are many, many other options for off site parking with better availability and Service (I have used Kinney, and my new favorite is Ampco Express). At the 2 places I mentioned, they come to your car with a van, and someone helps you put your luggage on the van. When you return they unload your luggage right at the car. There is no schlepping your bags and your kids to and from a pickup area.

There are also some off site valet lots where they drive you to the airport in your car and drop you off, and even do maintenance on your car while you are away.

 

[jobie61]

PHL is the worst airport in the country. Waiting for luggage is always a problem at PHL. Shuttle buses to long term parking is also an issue. If you have the option, use Newark or ACY. Atlantic City airport is great. No waits for anything, parking is a breeze.

PHL really STINKS.

 

[TaraPA]

Marcy,

I am in the Allentown area, too (Orefield).

Also Tracey in Easton...

Aha! I found the Lehigh Valley LGMH snatchers!!

Just kidding - I'm referring to a post yesterday that all the Home Depot LGMHs were missing all over the Lehigh Valley & I'd never seen anyone on here from the area!

 

[Dina]

Waiting for luggage is always a problem at PHL. Shuttle buses to long term parking is also an issue. If you have the option, use Newark or ACY. Atlantic City airport is great. No waits for anything, parking is a breeze.

PHL really STINKS.

Even though I always fly out of PHL (its hard not to when you live as close as I do),this is so true. We always ALWAYS have to wait a very long time for our luggage when we get home (one time we had to wait an hour)-- last trip, I had to go searching all of the carrels for one piece of luggage and found it in an office. It's ALWAYS a wait. And one time we had to wait an hour for a shuttle for long term parking (it seemed like all of the drivers were on break at the same time). It is a bad airport, whenever we get off the plane, Joe and I laugh to each other "home, sweet, home."

 

[JandD Mom]

Even though I always fly out of PHL (its hard not to when you live as close as I do),this is so true. We always ALWAYS have to wait a very long time for our luggage when we get home (one time we had to wait an hour)-- last trip, I had to go searching all of the carrels for one piece of luggage and found it in an office. It's ALWAYS a wait. And one time we had to wait an hour for a shuttle for long term parking (it seemed like all of the drivers were on break at the same time). It is a bad airport, whenever we get off the plane, Joe and I laugh to each other "home, sweet, home."

Guys,

Try flying in on Southwest. Baggage delivery has always been extremely quick for us!

Also, avoid flying into philly on other carriers, especially on days on which there is an Eagles game. The baggage handlers tend to call out sick to watch the game!

 

[zurgswife]

Fly out of philly on Southwest exclusively..