How much better is John Wayne Airport?

[smartlabelprint]

That route, specifically, I don't know. But Alaska has been at SNA for a long time. I think it is only in recent years that Alaska has even flown outside of the west coast, isn't it? Wasn't it a regional airline before the Virgin deal?

They’ve flown to other areas of the US prior to virgin. I used them for EWR (NJ) a loooong time ago.

 

[slpeters]

Finally went ahead and booked non-stop into SNA. Actually they were amongst the cheapest flights we've booked in a long time. Thanks everyone for the reassurance.

 

[Sue M]

For me, it’s all about cost when choosing between SNA and LAX. Yes, SNA is closer to DL, but for me, coming from Canada, it’s easier to get a lower priced flight, better flight times, and a better chance of a non-stop flight. If you’re taking Uber/Lyft to and from the airport, traffic and airport location won’t matter as much, it’s only cost of the ride that will be the difference. If I’m saving enough $$ on the flights by flying I to LAX, I’m okay with paying a little more for the Uber ride.

In short: I’ve flown into SNA twice and LAX twice...and I’m more inclined to chose LAX now because:
1- cheaper flights
2- better flight times
3- more nonstop flight from where I live

I’m From BC, we fly with Alaska. SNA is marginally more expensive but found a flight that got me into SNA by 10:45am with a transfer at SeaTac.
$23 Lyft ride to get us to hotel across the street from DL on Harbor.

 

[Sue M]

That route, specifically, I don't know. But Alaska has been at SNA for a long time. I think it is only in recent years that Alaska has even flown outside of the west coast, isn't it? Wasn't it a regional airline before the Virgin deal?

I’ve flown Alaska (from Vancouver) to MCO and FLL for many years, before Virgin merger. It wasn’t regional, and flew from west coast, to Florida anyway, Seattle is their hub. Great airline and top customer service.

 

[Val56]

When flying back out of SNA, however, be aware it's a noise-reduced takeoff. The takeoff is steep, and once over the ocean they throttle back considerably. First timers tend to go all white-knuckled when they feel the slightly "weightless" result, and us experienced John-Wayners tend to find this amusing.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Finally went ahead and booked non-stop into SNA. Actually they were amongst the cheapest flights we've booked in a long time. Thanks everyone for the reassurance.

I don't think you'll regret it. The easier your travel day getting to the parks, the more energy and better outlook you'll have once you get through the park gates! Save your energy (physical, mental, and emotional) for Disney! Don't waste it on your travel day.

 

[deedubb]

Just flew back home yesterday, out of SNA. We left the Grand Californian about 9:20 am. The drive to SNA was around 25 mins or so. Dropped off the rental car on-site, then into departures. That took about 5 mins. TSA precheck line had about 6 people in front of us, and the regular line had about the same! It was one of the least stressful security checks we have ever had. We will never use LAX again for Disneyland.

 

[longboard55]

I would always choose SNA if it was a direct flight, but if they choice was direct out of LAVX or one stop out of SNA I would choose LAX. The advantage of LAX is they have a lot more available direct flights

 

[ChanellF]

When flying back out of SNA, however, be aware it's a noise-reduced takeoff. The takeoff is steep, and once over the ocean they throttle back considerably. First timers tend to go all white-knuckled when they feel the slightly "weightless" result, and us experienced John-Wayners tend to find this amusing.

Yep! As someone who’s grown up in OC, I had forgotten about this. We usually try to fly out of LGB because the check-in is a breeze and fly into SNA because it’s closer getting home, so I forgot about that lovely take-off.

 

[jbh275]

Well worth the extra money. SNA is only 20 min away. Can be 45 at rush hour, but from LAX rush hour can take 2 hours. If you're spending the day at DL and flying home same day, you can enjoy the parks until the afternoon and still make a 6pm flight. Not even worth going to the parks if you're flying out of LAX.

 

[Babybears]

When flying back out of SNA, however, be aware it's a noise-reduced takeoff. The takeoff is steep, and once over the ocean they throttle back considerably. First timers tend to go all white-knuckled when they feel the slightly "weightless" result, and us experienced John-Wayners tend to find this amusing.

Omg!! I know exactly what you are talking about! I don't love flying as it is and the first time that happened I was sure there was something wrong and we were going to need to turn back! Thanks for the heads up as to what that is! Now I won't stress anymore when it happens!

 

[Babybears]

This is my favorite airport in the area! I love that there is NO lines at security at SNA! It's such a breeze to get through and the security people always seem friendly and not stressed out. Coming from Seattle, where security lines are long and workers seem stressed, it's a welcomed change!

 

[Lumpy1106]

Don't forget to check Long Beach (LGB). Flying into both SNA and LGB are a joy. Flying into LAX is a bit of a nightmare - made worse because they are doing a ton of construction right now. I'd even pick San Diego and Ontario before LAX. You can also check Carlsbad. It's a small airport near LegoLand but you can sometimes get good prices on flights into there, though admittedly they would be hopper flights from the other larger airports. That experience would still beat LAX though IMHO.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Omg!! I know exactly what you are talking about! I don't love flying as it is and the first time that happened I was sure there was something wrong and we were going to need to turn back! Thanks for the heads up as to what that is! Now I won't stress anymore when it happens!

Try doing it during a Santa Ana wind event. The same elevator take-off and engine cut-back, but with buffeting, gusty winds, taking off the opposite direction. It's one of the more frightening flights I've ever been on.

 

[KPeterso]

The only benefit to LAX is potentially non stop flights. I hate LAX so much, but recently have had pretty bad luck with connecting flights out of SNA to Orlando (the issues were always in the connecting cities), so I think I'm going to bite the bullet and fly out of LAX next time I have to go somewhere that would require a connection out of SNA.

To answer your question directly, SNA is SO MUCH BETTER.

I agree that SNA is better. I came to the conclusion about flying LAX to MCO to get the direct flights about 10 years ago. It just works better for me to go up to LAX and take the direct flight to MCO than worry about connections. After my little visit in Dallas coming home from MCO in 2013 (got stuck there overnight after AA had a complete system failure), it solidified the decision to always go up to LAX, but I had started to a few years before that trips that were in cold months where I would not have enough to keep me warm if I got stuck. Plus, the airlines kept giving me crazy connections when I would look (SNA to ORD to MCO is going awfully far north to go to the southeast). Oh and this from someone who lives about 8 minutes from SNA.

 

[HydroGuy]

Try doing it during a Santa Ana wind event. The same elevator take-off and engine cut-back, but with buffeting, gusty winds, taking off the opposite direction. It's one of the more frightening flights I've ever been on.

Soarin Over California?

 

[DLgal]

Try doing it during a Santa Ana wind event. The same elevator take-off and engine cut-back, but with buffeting, gusty winds, taking off the opposite direction. It's one of the more frightening flights I've ever been on.

You know what is scarier? Flying into or out of Las Vegas or Phoenix in the summer. There are major updrafts that catch the plane on the ascent and descent. Makes for a VERY scary ride.

 

[redleader74]

We jsut flew in/out of SNA and found it very easy, even the TSA process was easy. Food options are decent.

 

[kikismom]

This is my favorite airport in the area! I love that there is NO lines at security at SNA! It's such a breeze to get through and the security people always seem friendly and not stressed out. Coming from Seattle, where security lines are long and workers seem stressed, it's a welcomed change!

Ugh, we fly out of Seattle. Every once in a while we will fly out of Portland if we get a way better deal and want to have an easier time. A big issue I have with SeaTac is the traffic to get there. And the lines, the long, long lines.

 

[Wikker24]

SNA is the maxpass of airports in terms of a Disneyland vacation. I could fly into LAX and drive for 1-3 hours after white knuckling baggage claim and wrangling my Uber, or walk off my plane into baggage claim, order my Uber and be at my hotel in half an hour. We love SNA!