flying Airtran or JetBlue...where to connect?

[Applemomma]

Hi all,

My intense need to plan every aspect of my vacation leads me to feel the need to ask this question.

If I'm flying out of Portland, either Air Tran or JetBlue, where do you like to connect through? Where is the worst connection, worst for delays? We'll be travelling in November (okay okay....November 2010...I did say I like to plan....) so hopefully weather delays won't be too much of a concern.

We flew out of Portland a few years ago (a ten hour drive for us) and may fly out of Bangor with Allegiant's nonstops but sometimes when I check their dates don't match up with what I need and I'm willing to put up with a few more hours driving for an even better deal!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[debster812]

I think, if it were me, I'd probably opt for AirTran, and connect through Atlanta. I know November is a little early for weather related delays, but it's been known to happen. Years ago, back in the dark ages when we all used travel agents, a VERY wise TA once told me, if you're traveling when it could snow, make your connection as far south as possible. It might not matter too much, since your connecting aircraft could be affected, but you'd also be that much closer to FL should the weather REALLY impact you, and renting a car for a day to make the drive, would not be too bad.

 

[Applemomma]

Thanks for the idea Debbie. I looked at the connects for AirTtran and oddly enough the only time you get transfered through Atlanta is when it's a 2-stop layover and for some reason they send you south first and then back up north to stormy Washington....go figure. I'll play around with JetBlue too. Never flown them before. Nothing like giving yourself a year to plan the details!

Thanks again,
Dawn

 

[TheWog]

If you are willing to drive another 2 hours you can take a direct nonstop JetBlue from Boston to MCO. I know it sounds like a lot, but that sometimes have pretty decent fares and the flights are nonstop.

 

[jakenjess]

JetBlue has some nonstops from Portland to MCO. You could check the Nov. 2009 schedule to give you an idea. During busy times it seems to be every day, but for our dates in late Jan. there are no nonstops mid week. Airtran also has some, but I don't think as many as JetBlue.

We've connected with JetBlue at JFK and have had good luck. We usually take the 6:00 A.M. or 7:30 A.M. out of Portland and have a very short layover at JFK, usually around an hour, and have always gotten into MCO on time or even a bit early.