Great flight price, friend REFUSES to fly Delta...please help

[Imelda in TX]

Need some help from the DIS again.

I found a RT from San Antonio to MCO, non-stop flight on a regional jet (seats 50) for $235 (inc taxes) for Spring Break.

My dilemma: friends travelling with us are refusing to fly because it is a small jet, too scary, won't dare to be on that for almost 3 hours.

I have only ever flown Southwest. Please help me...will it be too frightening? My DDs (ages 6 and 9) have never flown before, but they are not easily scared (are excited about flying for the 1st time).

How does it compare to Southwest?

What would you guys do?

TIA

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Not really scary at all. Just as safe really as any other plane. Only maybe not quite as comfortable. If its a good deal I would do it. Nothing scary about it. A lot of places in the usa you have to fly RJ's or you cant fly at all.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I fly on regional jets all the time. Not scary at all, but I love to fly. I like that there are only about 50 people on the plane, makes boarding and deboarding (hmm, what would that word be?) much quicker.

 

[Stimpy]

Personally, I hate the regional flights too. I will do anything to avoid them. We used to take them all the time but after a few bad flights, mostly on smaller planes though, I won't fly in them again unless absolutely necessary. (Which is ironic since my father flies 4 seater Cessnas and I have no problem with them.) So I can understand your friends side.

Can you have them arrange their own flights and meet them there? We've done this when travelling with my parents and we just met up at the resort.

If your kids are first time flyers, they'll probably love the flight. (They won't know any difference between different size planes)

 

[deltachi8]

Personally, I prefer th regional jets. Although a bit louder, i think they are more comfortable. Then again, Im a short dude - 5'7''.

I think you will be fine.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I hate the claustrophobic feel of the small, regional jets we generally end up flying. Personally, I have found them to be louder (I ALWAYS end up with a headache after a flight.) and more cramped. Although I am fairly short, I inevitably hit my head on the bulkhead. Because there is only one person distributing beverages, you wait forever for something to drink. There are no movies or any of the other perks that help you pass the time on a longish flight. Usually, I have to walk out to the plane and up steps. This is really fun when it's bitter cold or raining. If I had a choice, I would definitely opt for a larger plane.

 

[pumpkinboy]

I am 6'3" and I love flying Regional Jets, generally. The SAT-MCO flights are on Canadair Regional Jets, among the best in that class, IMO, built by Bombardier in Canada (tho I think they build the wing assemblies in the Nothern Ireland). The CRJ has an excellent safety record, and I love the fact that they load and unload so quickly and that the seats are pretty comfortable.

Let your friends make their own arrangements on SouthWest if they like. Flying on a Delta ticket, you will be able to use DME both ways if you're staying on-site. Hard to beat that price for a direct flight during spring break! Enjoy!

 

[Imelda in TX]

Thank you! I am going to go for the Delta direct flight. I wasn't scared until she flat out refused and then I thought maybe I should be scared. We found some flights for her on another airline (arrives later to MCO, departs earlier from MCO) for an additional $100 pp.

Can I take a portable DVD player with us for the kids to watch?

TIA

 

[Brian Noble]

Yes, you can bring a DVD player, but you won't be able to use it for the first and last 20 minutes of your flight (or so).

I find the Canadair planes to be uncomfortable, especially for longer flights, but they are no less safe than any other jet. Might be a bit bumpier in turbulence, but that's it.

 

[Alexander]

You'll be fine! Most of our flights out of SYR now are on the smaller jets. Then we connect to a larger jet at a major hub and fly onto Orlando. We used to be wary of flying on these planes, but they really are fine. Besides I'd rather be on a plane with only 50 people waiting to get off than 250. Deboarding! I like that!

 

[SB in KY]

Personally I have had horrendous flights on big and small planes and some very nice ones on both also....I could never justify spending an extra $100/pp for a bigger plane. The regionals are quick to load and faster to get off....I would sacrifice the smidge of extra room you might get on a larger plane to save the 2 or 3 extra hours (not to mention the $$) and hassle involved in changing planes someplace.

Your kids will love flying and since they have never been on a larger plane before this will be a great first experience for them.

My only suggestion is that you leave yourself a little extra time to get to the gate because the smaller planes usually load from remote gates that are a long hike from the beginning of the concourse.