Experience with DirectAir and/or Worcester, MA?

[bob_bldr]

Anyone have experience flying DirectAir to Sanford or more specifically, Worcester to Sanford over the last few months? We flew Worcester to Sanford a few years back on Allegiant, and other than a couple hour delay due to weather (fog) on the flight down, we had no issues. Just trying to get a better idea on the reliability of DirectAir and/or the recent history of flying out of Worcester. Thanks.

 

[casjen]

Worcester to Myrtle beach over april vacation last year with no issues. on time going and a few minutes late coming back.

I am booked to fly them to Sanford this April vacation. I had no issues when I flew before, check in was easy easy breezy, security, easy easy breezy. The airport is small and no frills so don't plan on eating too much there. You can buy water past security to bring on the plane with you.

You can't beat the parking. $7/day and right in front of the airport. No long walks or insane costs.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Great question! I can see flights available for my upcoming trip for half of what I'm seeing on Jetblue to MCO though it does require changing my days and not exactly the times I'd like, but we're talking half the price. So, what happens if there's a mechanical problem or weather issue? They only have 1 flight scheduled on the days I'm looking at and no flights for several days after.

 

[NEV2OLD4DIS]

I'm sitting here typing with a jet taking off over my house right now from Worcester Airport (most likely DirectAir or a cargo plane)! I'm 15 min. away, but prefer other airports due using DME and not renting a car. I actually did check the fares though for our trip, but they were high since we only started to look 3 months in advance. Have to note that in one of the threads, the op wanted to know how others did on their April fares. One family got 4 round trip tickets from Worc. to Sanford for $600! I think they rented a car for $179, so they really did good.

We haven't used DirectAir, but know many who have had great flights without any problems. My biggest fear with Worc. is that so many airlines have come and gone, and if DirectAir decides to pull their flights out of Worc., there is not another airline to change flights to. Also, flight schedule is somewhat sporadic.

 

[NEV2OLD4DIS]

Clanmcculloch, that's exactly how I feel. I'd rather travel to MHT, BDL, PVD or even BOS just for the security of knowing that most airlines have multiple flights. If I were doing a DIS cruise or some adventure where I had to be someplace at a set time, I wouldn't even consider using DirectAir out of Worc. I'm not sure what the next closest airport is that they fly out of, so I don't know how they would compensate if flights were cancelled.

That said, we booked flights from MHT to MCO last week for $104 each way, then changed to leaving out of PVD when that fare changed to $104 the next day. It saves us about 25 min. each way. More than ever, but it's still reasonable when considering driving as an alternative! I don't understand why all flights out of MHT are $149, and all flights out of PVD are $139 this morning though. It doesn't matter what time the flight leaves.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

As convenient as Worcester is to my family, I wouldn't use Direct Air because of the reliability issue. The fog mentioned by the original poster is not a rare occurence. Due to the size of the airline there are limitations that are beyond their control.

My husband flew Direct Air a year or two ago. He was going to visit a friend so time was no issue at all. It was a time when Florida was having very cold weather. The plane had to be de-iced in Florida but they don't have any de-icing equipment so had to wait for the sun to come up and melt the ice. He was on the plane scheduled from Worcester to Punta Gorda. The bigger deal was that no one at the Direct Air could give us any kind of update. The website said the flight was on time. He was sitting at the airport and there was no plane there. The ended up leaving a few hours late.

My kids were scheduled to fly last fall into Orlando from Worcester. It was to be a quick trip - Thursday to Sunday. We got a call from the airline about a month before they were going. The Thursday flight had been cancelled, did they want to take the Sunday flight instead? We got our money back with no problem. It ended up great because the flights out of Manchester were much more convenient times BUT at the time it was a lot more expensive.

 

[bob_bldr]

Thanks for the replies. We flew Allegiant to Sanford about 5 years ago and they gave us lunch when the flight was delayed 2 hours due to fog. No other issues with the flight down or back and we actually enjoyed Sanford airport in comparison to MCO; from baggage to car rental, everything was smooth.

We have flown SW ever since from PVD to MCO and I love DME (I drive 500 miles per week and like the break). We just paid over $3300 in February for 5 RT flights on SW for the Disney Cruise and we experienced delays in both directions. I can book DirectAir for next Feb school vacation, Worcester to Sanford, all baggage fees and seat reservation included, for $1282 for 5 RT N/S tix with their current promotion. Even if a rental car costs us $500 for the week, we're still saving over $1500. We had trip insurance for the Cruise so we may consider that to cover any flight delays, cancellations, trip interuption, etc.

 

[casjen]

Because of snow. If it snows enough to shut the airport down, that's it, your flight is over. There are no other flights.

I feel o.k. flying them this April b/c they have multiple flights going out on the days they fly in and out of Worcester b/c it is school vacation. Some flights are sold out. But not all of them on my days are.

Like I said before, we had no issues at all when we flew to Myrtle Beach. this is our first time flying into Sanford.

I know everyone says MCO is closer and Magical Express is faster but I have to disagree. I agree it is free but that's about it. The last 2 times I have used the bus I have sat on the bus at the airport for more than 30 minutes waiting for the bus to fill up. Then, we stopped at 2 resorts before we even got to mine. 30 minutes sitting, plus 25 minute ride, plus an extra 30 minutes while we stopped, unloaded, the driver helped everyone before I got to my resort. I am pretty sure I can drive from Sanford faster than that. I am using the kiosk at Alamo so there'll be no line. I don't mind renting a car b/c my round trip flights for my family of 4 were only $600 with luggage and seats included. For April vacation out of Mass that is as good as it gets.

I understand Direct air could pull out of Worcester at any time. But they've been there over a year now and seem to be doing all right. I have another trip booked ot Myrtle Beach in September with them.

 

[NEV2OLD4DIS]

I'd still be afraid to book with DirectAir for a winter flight for reasons the above poster stated. Yes, trip insurance might cover transportation cancellations, but it can't make up for the disappointment the family would have in such circumstances.

I have to say that casjen got an excellent fare for their trip! I'd also consider the fact that four can fly for $600, and you'll be paying a bunch more for a family of 5. I might even opt for that fare at that time of year. We've never had issues with DME, although we've found the resort busses to be slow at times.

Not sure if DirectAir is flying out today, but the second jet just took off during the time I typed this. With Worc.'s history, I don't know if I would book 9 months out though. If we decide to use EBCI with SW, our flight will be at $249 r/t with 2 pieces of baggage each free. We have used them many, many times with no problems at all. Unfortunately, every airline has delays/cancellations sometimes. I'll never forget leaving on Delta out of Worcester many years back on the start of our honeymoon. My DH left his wallet at home and had to have his dad run home for it. They brought it on the plane to him just before we were about to head for the runway. Then the computer system was down in Baltimore where we changed flights, and spent 2 1/2 hours on the runway with free drinks and hot as can be without the air circulating! It did cure my DH's hangover though!