LAX vs. SNA?

[civileng68]

I need to make this decision in about an hour from now.

I have always flown LAX when traveling to LA, but will be in Anaheim the night before I leave town. Is SNA a better option? I have less flight options but is it worth taking less options to save on the drive and distance?

What about the airport itself? Is it less hectic than LAX? What about rental car returns at SNA (I hate it at LAX).

Any suggestions?

 

[HydroGuy]

I need to make this decision in about an hour from now.

I have always flown LAX when traveling to LA, but will be in Anaheim the night before I leave town. Is SNA a better option? I have less flight options but is it worth taking less options to save on the drive and distance?

What about the airport itself? Is it less hectic than LAX? What about rental car returns at SNA (I hate it at LAX).

Any suggestions?

I always choose SNA over LAX when given the chance. It is much less hectic, better maintained and just a nicer airport. As a bonus it is closer to DLR.

 

[wdwmickey]

We always fly into SNA Closer, smaller, less hectic, easier rental car.

 

[DebbieB]

The car rental at SNA is onsite, you don't have to take a shuttle bus. The airport is 1 building, only has maybe 18 gates (although they are doing construction to add more).

 

[jdb in AZ]

SNA is usually more expensive for us than LAX, but the smaller airport is so much simpler to deal with. When we HAVE to go through LAX, it's fascinating to people-watch cuz there's such a "variety" of personalities/fashion statements, but we'd just rather avoid the crowds and long lines at security. When we're going to DLR and not anywhere else in the area, we just take public transportation and avoid the hassle of a rental car and don't have to drive in that traffic.

 

[8timesblessed]

We choose SNA or Long Beach, for us they are usually cheaper to fly into then LAX. THey are easy airports to get in and out of and alot less traffic to deal with.

 

[vettegirl]

SNA is a great, small, clean airport. I would take it anyday over LAX.

 

[bumbershoot]

For me, it's about money. And schedules. On my recent semi-solo trip, I was using Alaska miles, and the "price" was the same for either airport. SNA's schedule coming in was great, and I could sleep in half an hour more, so I booked that. But Alaska's schedule out of SNA had me leaving *earlier* than I would have to leave for LAX, so I took the LAX flight.

As a traveler, I find LAX to be perfectly fine. Especially when leaving. And the TSA agents there (as far as I have experienced so far) are kind, nice, and rather hilarious (had a 10 minute conversation, at the end of this trip, with two agents who were chatting with each other on the main floor of the airport, and it was entertaining and educational), and I'd rather deal with the TSA at LAX than at any other airport I've been through.


I'm sure you've already made your decision, but since for me it's about money, I would also have to price out the rental car carefully, making sure I wasn't blowing my budget out of the water with a rental from SNA. I don't know the difference in rental costs for your trip, and I don't know if it's generally higher, but I made a mistake once before in assuming I knew a price, and it hurt our budget...so I make sure to get all the info now ahead of time.

 

[GrandBob]

And the TSA agents there (as far as I have experienced so far) are kind, nice, and rather hilarious (had a 10 minute conversation, at the end of this trip, with two agents who were chatting with each other on the main floor of the airport, and it was entertaining and educational), and I'd rather deal with the TSA at LAX than at any other airport I've been through.

San Jose has some good agents too. Your comment reminded me of the time, two years ago at Christmas, that we were leaving from SJC. DW was bringing this gift, which was inside a box in our carry-on luggage. The TSA agent backed it up through the scanner, then forward, then back, etc for about a half dozen times. Finally she took us off to the side to do a hand inspection (I think she just wanted to see what it was!) Once it was unboxed, she (TSA agent) and my wife had a good laugh over it, and continued on for about 10 minutes. The comment I remember -- "Oh boy, I can't wait to file my shift report!"

-Bob

 

[bumbershoot]

Good to know about SJ! I don't think I've flown out of there since I left San Jose in '87...so I haven't dealt with the TSA there.

 

[furb & dez]

I can't stand LAX - I refuse to go through there unless it's an international flight, or if there's a specific reason to do so. SNA or Burbank are so much easier to deal with.

 

[PrincessSitka]

We flying into SNA. And love it. We have had no problems.

 

[Informer1906]

I need to make this decision in about an hour from now.

I have always flown LAX when traveling to LA, but will be in Anaheim the night before I leave town. Is SNA a better option? I have less flight options but is it worth taking less options to save on the drive and distance?

What about the airport itself? Is it less hectic than LAX? What about rental car returns at SNA (I hate it at LAX).

Any suggestions?

If the price works then SNA no question. Easy to fly in and fly out. Rental car lot is right there, LAX I feel like I am going on a three hour tour as the rental lots are so far. Finally, you are ten minutes on the 5 from Disney.

 

[KCSunshine60]

Agreed with all the other posts - SNA is much easier than LAX. It is sometimes a bit more expensive than LAX but worth the extra for the convenience.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

There really is no comparison--SNA is SO much better. It is super modern, sleek, easy to get in and out of (including rental cars)--and the topper--so much closer.

We fly into LAX all the time when we visit the inlaws who live near there, but when we go to Disneyland, it is always SNA. Just waiting for your luggage (if you check bags) is a pleasure and super quick from SNA. Ever tried waiting for bags at LAX? Not a fun experience, especially when in a hurry.

 

[jasy]

Coming from Canada I typically opt for LAX simply because it's the difference between a 3 hour direct flight and 6-8 hours with connections.

I have flown from SNA though and it is a great airport and if I had a direct flight option I would choose it over LAX any day. Having said that though I've never had any issues with LAX, security is usually fairly quick, duty free isn't the best and is sporadic in terms of openings but all in all it's ok.

IMO one of the best parts of SNA is the rental cars, returning right to the airport and not having to take a shuttle is so much more convenient.

 

[cyclenut]

This thread comes up about once a month or so.

I agree with most posters in that SNA is much more modern, clean, relaxed, etc. It is close to DLR and very easy to navigate. Hard to get really lost, although you could if you tried hard enough.

LGB is my preferred airport, although right now they are doing a whole lot of construction so the walk to/from the planes from the gate can be pretty long.

LAX is just fine. Really. It is older and somewhat "dirty" looking. Yes, it is clean, but it just has that old dirty feel. I have never had a problem finding my way. There are plenty of shuttle options and the bonus is there are far more flight options. Another bonus is that it is cheaper to fly out of LAX than either of the previous two ... most of the time.

Travel time from LAX to DLR isn't bad, unless you happen to hit the highway at rush hour on a weeknight.

In the past year I have flown into/out of all three of the above. Price and schedule are the determining factors here. When I look for fares, I start with LGB then LAX and then ... just for grins ... I check SNA (almost always more).

Most of the time I am on company paid travel and I still choose LAX ... and I live in OC.

 

[tanyaewa]

Flying from Vancouver & Seattle - SNA seems to be cheaper all the time now. LOVE SNA!!

 

[GuardMusic]

We have free tix on AirTran (per getting bumped) and really want to use SNA instead of LAX. Both are listed on AirTran site even though SNA's site shows they are only serviced by SW. I presume this is from the merger.

However, when I initially called AirTran, they said the only flight they have into SNA is from Vegas. Why does this sound weird to me? Thoughts?

Gayle

 

[bumbershoot]

However, when I initially called AirTran, they said the only flight they have into SNA is from Vegas. Why does this sound weird to me? Thoughts?

Gayle

If you look at the route map, you see that Sana Ana has flights connecting to Vegas, San Francisco, Cabo, and Mexico City. But it doesn't look like there are direct flights from Indianapolis to Vegas.


I'd just fly to LAX. Seriously, it's NOT that bad. And if it's the difference between a free flight vs paying for a flight, it's definitely worth it!