Flying into John Wayne - SNA?

[Cameo]

Is there any disadvantage to flying into John Wayne Airport - SNA - rather than LAX? It's looking like I can get a flight cheaper there and it's actually closer. I know sometimes the smaller airports have disadvantages. Thanks!

 

[KalamityJane]

Not to my knowledge! It is cheaper to get a shuttle from SNA to DL and frankly, I love that it is smaller - LAX is SO busy! SNA is a nice size

 

[Mariep26]

I have flown into SNA for work and haven't found a downside to it. I know it is closer to DL than LAX and it has all the amenities of a larger airport just on a smaller scale (fewer restaurants etc..). I highly recommend it if it makes sense for you schedule and $$ wise!

 

[socalduo]

If it's cheaper, go for it. Even if you have to take a taxi from there to DL it wouldn't be to bad. It's waaay closer then LAX.

 

[Satchmo128]

Not to my knowledge! It is cheaper to get a shuttle from SNA to DL and frankly, I love that it is smaller - LAX is SO busy! SNA is a nice size

We need to look into the shuttle option from SNA for our October trip (normally we fly into Long Beach).

 

[IBLarsen]

We will pay extra to fly into SNA over LAX! It's small and easy in/out.
Doesn't take long to get to DL either. Absolutely my preferred airport!

Last year flying out of LAX took 2 hours to get through security. I said I would avoid that at all costs again!

 

[KalamityJane]

We need to look into the shuttle option from SNA for our October trip (normally we fly into Long Beach).

We usually take Disneyland Resort Express - it works out to $54 RT for 2 adults and a child. I get our tickets on getawaytoday. I like the bus because then I don't have to lug car seats around - not sure if this is something that matters to you or not. I have also heard supershuttle is good.

 

[OKW Lover]

The disadvantages are that you won't get as much exercise walking from the plane to baggage claim to ground transportation at SNA as you will at LAX. Also you won't get to see as much of the CA highway system and neighborhoods when transiting between the airport and the hotel. That also gives you less time to read a book or catch up on your sleep during the ride.

 

[MaloCS]

We flew into John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) this past February, 2012 and it was a GREAT experience. I've found that the airport is large enough to have most of the amenities we've come to expect from the larger airports but small enough to not have the excessive crowds and wait times.

The biggest benefit in my mind was it's location to Disneyland. We were barely on the Disney bus for fifteen minutes (including stop lights and traffic) before pulling into the Disneyland Hotel parking lot. It was awesome!

On the return flight we waited about 15 minutes to check in and get through security, and then it was a short, one or two minute walk to our gate. Overall, it was a great experience and I would not hesitate to fly into John Wayne again.

 

[Lolsmum]

None at all. I grew up out there and was flying in and out of that airport way back when you had to walk out to your plane and up the stairs to board. It's a great airport and so much closer than LAX if you're heading to Disneyland.

 

[sweethannah]

I'm flying into SNA for the first time and I just want to confirm something - they do NOT have a duty free correct? Thanks for your help!!

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

No disadvantage at all! Cheaper flight, closer to DL and smaller airport to get around at.

 

[AndyR]

I'd take SNA over LAX any day of the week for a DL trip. Plus.....you get the slingshot takeoff when leaving

 

[jdb in AZ]

I'm flying into SNA for the first time and I just want to confirm something - they do NOT have a duty free correct? Thanks for your help!!

I haven't seen a duty free shop.

The disadvantages are that you won't get as much exercise walking from the plane to baggage claim to ground transportation at SNA as you will at LAX. Also you won't get to see as much of the CA highway system and neighborhoods when transiting between the airport and the hotel. That also gives you less time to read a book or catch up on your sleep during the ride.

You also won't see the, uh, fashion show of the masses of humanity. I think (hope) LAX has expanded their security since the time I checked my bags curbside and the TSA agent pawed through the underwear in my suitcase instead of sending it through an x-ray machine.

 

[yankeepenny]

our flight in to John Wayne is Sat.

when I ran all the numbers for flights and car rentals- SNA Wayne came flying out on top. I even threw San Diego into equation. could not beat SNA on anything.

$$$ saved in flight and rental is money better served to feed us.

 

[SamandWill1921]

We love flying in and out of SNA. There are only 17ish gates so we got through security within 10 min. The thing that took the longest was my DH getting his sneakers back on
I would choose a smaller airport over a large one any day. Unless you care about having infinite restaurant choices, which I don't

 

[bumbershoot]

None at all. I grew up out there and was flying in and out of that airport way back when you had to walk out to your plane and up the stairs to board.

They still do those flights. Gates 1A-C. Down a flight of stairs after the Starbucks. Tiny little puddle jumper.

Plus.....you get the slingshot takeoff when leaving

Not a "plus" if you can deal with "normal" flights and aren't expecting it! Luckily I visit my brother in San Diego often, and am used to that "we're taking off from inside a city" sort of take offs.



While there's nothing wrong with SNA (except that I've had a drastically delayed flight at night there and there is NOTHING to buy or eat or do except for sit and look at your reflection in the windows), I don't mind LAX one little bit. I've had some of the nicest TSA experiences there (though two of the nice experiences have started off strangely), and there's always the anticipation of seeing some actor there.

 

[Eeee-va]

When I flew in to SNA in 2010, my flight was delayed by about an hour, and the people in the seat ahead of me were upset that the Magical Express shuttle wouldn't be running by the time they got off the plane, since its hours are a bit more limited at SNA than at LAX. But if you were taking the Magical Express and due to land in LAX shortly before its last departure, you'd have the same problem.

Also, the airport was under construction at the time, so we got off the plane and were immediately in open air! If I recall correctly, we all walked in a long line, out of the plane and down a ramp, across part of the tarmac semi-near the terminal, through a small indoor waiting area, back outside, up another long ramp, and finally into the far end of the terminal from baggage claim. On a chilly October night with a sprinkle of rain! I thought it was pretty funny but I'm not sure the other passengers did, particularly given we were an hour later than scheduled.

Even after those experiences, I'd still pick SNA over LAX. I imagine the construction's done now, too.

If you're very scared of flying/etc. the takeoff and/or landing aren't necessarily the best, as alluded to elsewhere. I think that's it.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

I live in Anaheim and I will gladly pay MORE to fly in and out of SNA and Long Beach than LAX.

 

[snowy76]

We flew out of SNA on our July trip... like PPs I'd pay extra to use SNA again.

On the flight into the area we used LAX and the Disneyland Express bus. While it wasn't a bad experience, it just took forever.

Flying out, the DL Express wasn't running early enough for us, so I booked a rental car at DTD and picked it up the day before we left California. Getting to SNA was VERY easy and quick. Rental car dropoff was a breeze. We left our hotel around 5am, Flight time was 6:45, and we even had time for breakfast before our flight from Starbucks.