Loads of questions for Buffalo Airport Users???????

[SandraC]

Hello All ~

I have lots of questions about driving from Mississauga to Buffalo airport.

We are considering a weekday flight from BUF to MCO during our March/Spring break ~ sometime between March 12-16. One of the times we are considering is a 4:30pm flight.

1] What time should we leave home?
2] Which bridge to use?
3] How much "build in" time should I plan for? ie: traffic, border, security etc.,.
4] We are considering only taking carry-ons ~ is that a problem?
5] Is Southwest timely?
6] What is the airport's Park n' Fly like?
7] Does Southwest offer tv's and meal plan on the flight?

THANKS! Sandra ~ SEE YOU SUNDAY AT SQUARE ONE!

 

[wee-haggis]

1)Between 11 and 12
2)Fort Erie
3)Should be OK for mid-day midweek (although you never know with the QEW...horrible road)
4)No...thats great. We did Buffalo to Vegas with carry-ons and it was a breeze.
5)they have one of the best repuatations in the business
6)Never used it myself but i can say that its large,right across from the terminal and the prices are reasonable
7)No

 

[SandraC]

Thanks....

Can I bring snacks on the plane? Bagels, granola bars, etc.,.

 

[SaraMc]

I always cross at Queenston- Lewiston and I know that others( Ft. Erie? ) go a diffrent way but this is the way I know.
During the day normally there isnt much traffic at the border. Depending on the way you drive it can take 60-90 minutes to hit the border.
As you go down to highway somewhere near St. Catherines there is a sign with a 1800 # for the border wait times. We use this every time to decide if we cross at QL or Rainbow.
I would want to be at the border for noon if I had a 4:30 flight ( I like to be early) but this way if you have never been to the airport you can find it go have some lunch, park and get into the checked area.
I have not flown SW, we fly jetblue. After watching thier show on A&E and all the problems of overbooking on thier flights Im haapy I already know what seat Im in for my flights to Orlando. So I cant help you there.

For Parking check the airports website they used to have a coupon to save $$ on parking.

 

[laura001]

I would say to leave at 12:00, you should be able to make the trip within an hour and a half even with a small wait at the border. That will put you at the airport nice and early.

I would use the Peace Bridge out of Fort Erie, there is a website that shows the wait times, can't remember exactly what it is, you should be able to find it. Of course plan the alternate route across Queenston/Lewiston just in case. As mentioned there is a sign on the highway just outside of St. Catharines also that lists the times.

Southwest is a bare bones company, but at least you can get direct flights. Jet Blue I believe has a stop. Buffalo is so easy to fly out of.

As for park n fly, I don't know much, am in the middle of researching that myself, we usually have someone drive us but I think we will do it ourselves this time.

Enjoy!

 

[tmli]

I always use www.sunpark.com for parking....great reliable shuttles and a great coupon on their site.

 

[mom22belles]

Thanks....

Can I bring snacks on the plane? Bagels, granola bars, etc.,.

We went in Aug. and the only thing we could bring on was food for the baby. Mind you this was a few weeks after the big scare ( liquid explosives). My understanding is now you can only bring on things that are bought after the security checks. Southwest only offers peanuts/coffee/pop and juice. Oh and no tv/movies .


Oh and airport parking was great bus no problems with the bus.

We took the Fort Erie bridge and had about a 20 min. delay but according to the 1 800 numbet Queenston was 45 min to 1 hr.

Southwest

 

[tigger2on]

Hi
We flew with our disabled DD (10) Ryleigh & our toddler dd#2 in September. I don't think we'll ever fly out of TO again.
My mom (UK citizen) came with us so we left Etobicoke at 1pm for a 6 pm flight to MCO.
Drive from TO to Buf 1.5 hr. Waiting to get to Customs officer @ border was 45 minutes (+ 1hr for mom to get a visa waiver....) and 45 minutes to drive to airport, park car and get to checked in. No line ups at all for security and 5 minutes to the gate....
Leaving in March, you might have to take the weather into account....
We used the Erie bridge....
I don't think that you HAVE to have checked luggage to fly....
Southwest was early to leave from Buffalo.... there were only 30 people on the flight. And on time back to Buffalo.
We used the closest parking lot and it was a 2 minute walk to the terminal and payment was quick and painless on the way out.
Drinks and snacks given out... crackers and peanuts on the way.... crackers only on the way back due to s child with a severe nut allergy. No TV's or movie... but it is a 2.5 hr flight.... enough time for take- off / landing and a movie on a portable DVD player....
We are flying Southwest via Buffalo in May.

 

[usetheforceluke]

1] 1.5 hours to the airport. Maybe .5 to 1.0 for security depending on the threat level. We didn't check it and almost missed our flight because of the security line.
2] Lewiston.
3] I'd be conservative. Don't count close or you may be sorry.
4] No.
5] When they say 4:30, they mean 4:30. You can see the palms start to sweat if they're the least bit late.
6] Safe, brightly lit. Great shuttle service. Shuttle has followed us a couple of times when we came in the entrance.
7] No. Snacks only.

Ask Fiona and I on Sunday.

Jim.

 

[dsneygirl]

1) I would leave in the morning if you can then you can shop We live in Burlington (right off the QEW) and with a moderate line up it's 1 hour and 20 door to door.
2) Ft Erie always. The airport is very clearly marked on all highway signs almost as soon as you are over.
3) As much as you can. I wouldn't try to cut it too close.
4) We flew with carryons last year but keep in mind you can only bring minimal liquids (only as much as will fit in a ziploc baggie) so just be prepared to buy at the hotel gift shop when you get there.
5) Very timely, Jim above is right. I've flown SW twice in the last 2 months and the plane was full and ready to go about 10 min before scheduled take off.
6) Never used the on site parking but have had lots of good experiences with SunPark which is right across the street.
7) No meal or movie but for 2 hours and 10 min you don't really need it. Their in-flight magazine usually has some good articles too