LAX or SNA?

[Phoenixrising]

I love SNA, and always fly into there versus LAX whenever we fly to visit DL. A smaller, clean, easy to navigate airport, that's alot closer to DL than the LAX airport. I will always fly into SNA over LAX. The direct flights my airline of choice offers cost the same for both airports, so I always choose SNA, as it's cheaper for me to fly into.

 

[hootey]

We prefer SNA due to how easy it is to get in and out of. Getting to DL from SNA is rather quick and inexpensive if your hotel does not have a shuttle, We always fly Alaska Air when going to DL/SNA. I was in LAX two weeks ago, it was the usual madhouse as always. DL from or to LAX is quite the trip, especially in prime drive time hours.

 

[Matchboxjen]

Airfare is over $200 cheaper if I fly into LAX. I wanted to avoid LAX, but oh well! Thanks everyone!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Without a doubt SNA, then catch a SuperShuttle to your hotel, you'll be there in 20 minutes. SNA is an amazingly easy airport to navigate and everyone that works there is super nice. Plus while you wait for your return flight, they have a great wine bar at the USAirways gates, with some awesome Mac and Cheese.

 

[sksjasams]

Question for all of you SNA fans...if your airline did not have any direct flights to SNA, would that change your mind?

Flying on SWA from Milwaukee, only LAX has direct flights. All flights into SNA require a stop. Would you go with LAX instead in this case?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Question for all of you SNA fans...if your airline did not have any direct flights to SNA, would that change your mind?

Flying on SWA from Milwaukee, only LAX has direct flights. All flights into SNA require a stop. Would you go with LAX instead in this case?

Thanks!

This is hard - because I have small kids I am always looking for direct flights. What is the price comparison and how long is the layover. Those would probably by my two deciding factors.

 

[jeaneg]

We much prefer SNA but usually fly to LAX because of the direct flights. We're able to get to LA around 8:30 am on the day we arrive and not have to be there until 7 pm the day we fly out.

 

[krispin41]

Since I am in the Bay Area, all my flights are usually direct, I prefer SNA, but I will book based on price and time.

 

[bcla]

SNA is great if your budget will allow it. Last year we flew in because the prices were about the same. OTOH I would have rather driven because it only takes me 6 hours and we're a family of 3. However, my wife insists that we need to fly because I would be "too tired" after driving. I personally like driving and the hassle of making a schedule, going through security, and renting a car is more of a pain to me than driving.

SNA also has a short runway (5700 ft) for a major regional airport. Takeoffs there are considerably different than at other airports, with a steep takeoff profile because of noise complaints. In order to do that with a short runway they have to get up faster and I understand that for pilots it's like being on a drag strip where they're actually on the brakes with full power and release them after the wheels start dragging. It's like how auto magazines test cars for 0-60 and 1/4 mile times with an automatic transmission - by flooring the accelerator while braking and then releasing the brakes. Not sure what this does for a jet, but constantly doing that with a car is a recipe for expensive brake and transmission repairs.

 

[Mr Snappy]

SNA is our preferred airport. It's small and easy to navigate.

However, as mentioned also check the rate for flights into LAX. Sometimes LAX is flights are a lot less. Then it depends on the price difference.

Geemo

This...

SNA is much easier and closer.
However, our last trip we flew to LAX because the savings for the 4 of us was $380 ! I have had just the opposite happen at times.

If the flights are within $20 each, I would go to SNA...anything more, LAX. I should mention that we always get a rental car, so transport to Anaheim is never an issue for us.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Question for all of you SNA fans...if your airline did not have any direct flights to SNA, would that change your mind?

Flying on SWA from Milwaukee, only LAX has direct flights. All flights into SNA require a stop. Would you go with LAX instead in this case?

Thanks!

You could fly out of Chicago for better SNA options, though you'd have to drive down here. (And I wouldn't wish the current construction on I-94 on anyone.) Changing flights just eats up precious Disneyland time.

 

[Kevin_W]

Question for all of you SNA fans...if your airline did not have any direct flights to SNA, would that change your mind?

Flying on SWA from Milwaukee, only LAX has direct flights. All flights into SNA require a stop. Would you go with LAX instead in this case?

Thanks!

In a heartbeat. Prices being equal, a direct flight is worth a fair amount to me.

 

[DJT]

[SNA also has a short runway (5700 ft) for a major regional airport. Takeoffs there are considerably different than at other airports, with a steep takeoff profile because of noise complaints. In order to do that with a short runway they have to get up faster and I understand that for pilots it's like being on a drag strip where they're actually on the brakes with full power and release them after the wheels start dragging. It's like how auto magazines test cars for 0-60 and 1/4 mile times with an automatic transmission - by flooring the accelerator while braking and then releasing the brakes. Not sure what this does for a jet, but constantly doing that with a car is a recipe for expensive brake and transmission repairs.[/QUOTE]

I wish I hadn't read this. We are flying into SNA for our first and most likely only trip to DL. I don't like to fly anyway and knowing this isn't going to help.

 

[bcla]

I wish I hadn't read this. We are flying into SNA for our first and most likely only trip to DL. I don't like to fly anyway and knowing this isn't going to help.

Aircraft are pushed hard all the time. The engines are expected to be fully powered often. It's not like driving a car where you'd likely wrap it around a pole if pushing it near its highest performance all the time. Just listen to thrust reversal of the engines on landing, where the engines are powered way up in order to slow down the plane.

The most common procedure at John Wayne Airport is to push it hard on takeoff, take a steep climb, and cut back the throttle upon reaching a certain altitude. Orange County is extremely strict about noise requirements, and airlines get fined for violating noise restrictions.

Steep takeoffs land JWA on 'scariest airports' list
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/john-364661-wayne-airport.html

The graphic indicates a couple of small dips where the pilot would typically cut back on the throttle before gaining altitude again.