Mid-Atlantic People... Norfolk or DCA??

[SothrnChic]

I live in Ocean City, MD and am trying to get the best flight for my RunDisney weekend Nov. 1-4. Flight prices are horrible this year and using my AA miles would be wasteful since the miles are high for tickets as well. My local airport only has American, and tickets prices and flight times are not good for this trip. I am looking to fly out from one of the major airports within driving distance (DCA, BWI, ORF, or PHL). They are all about 2-2.5 hours from me. Right now, I am looking at either a AA flight from DCA or Southwest from Norfolk. I have never flown out of Norfolk, so I am a little apprehensive, but I like the idea of it being a smaller airport. Any recommendations??

 

[lynnzrae]

Ive lived in both regions and have flown out of all of those airports. If it’s a cost savings issue and you’re driving ORF is cheaper and easier to park. However, often there are not many direct flights and that is also important to me. Would you drive down the nights before and stay at a hotel? Would that cost make a difference? If not does one have a higher chance of traffic issues at the time you’re driving?

 

[lynnzrae]

I liked ORF. Small airports are easy to navigate. Swa is free baggage check too. We can chat more if you want.

 

[Tallent]

We always fly Southwest out of BWI--no issues and typically decent prices.

 

[jeff_h]

I haven't flown in and out of ORF in over 10 years (am much closer to DCA and RIC) but liked it when I did, and they have long term parking inside the garages for $9 per day current price, per their website.

 

[rwdavis2]

There's no reason to fear small airport. SW flies the same planes from all airport.

 

[SothrnChic]

We always fly Southwest out of BWI--no issues and typically decent prices.

I have flown SW out of BWI many times, but the prices are more expensive for this trip.

 

[SothrnChic]

There's no reason to fear small airport. SW flies the same planes from all airport.

No fear for smaller airports... just apprehensive since I have never been there. I love flying out of my hometown airport (SBY) as it only has two gates! I am really leaning more towards ORF just so I don't have to deal with DC traffic... even if it is on a weekend. I would much rather drive up the Eastern Shore of VA to get home.

 

[hereyago]

Have you thought about flying out of Richmond? Southwest is here.

I lived in Newport news for years and flew out of ORF(Norfolk) . Nice little airport, but a draw back was the traffic on 64.