Nervous about flying into SNA...shorter runway?

[gippaloo]

I flew into JW airport a few years ago, and it was only my 2nd flight...But it didn't feel any different from the first time I flew when we landed at Denver's airport. The only thing that was a little scary for me was that we had to loop around and ended up going over the ocean a little bit, but that is just because I have a mild fear of flying. Nothing to be worried about at all though! I didn't even notice a difference really.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I am a flight attendant for Southwest and fly out of SNA all the time! The takeoffs and landings are completely safe and you have nothing to worry about!

Totally agree with the above. I love SWA when I get a chance to fly it. I have flown into airports in many different countries and I must say that SNA has never been a bad experience even with the crosswind landings. I dislike LAX...and Reagan. Had a nephew who worked both and the stories he would tell would make what hair I have left stand on end.

Jack

 

[gippaloo]

Totally agree with the above. I love SWA when I get a chance to fly it. I have flown into airports in many different countries and I must say that SNA has never been a bad experience even with the crosswind landings. I dislike LAX...and Reagan. Had a nephew who worked both and the stories he would tell would make what hair I have left stand on end.

Jack

Ooh what sort of stories? If you don't mind me asking?

 

[jands]

I didn't notice the difference when landing, but did when taking off. The pilot did mention during his pre-flight announcment that take-offs from SNA are "more dramatic" which freaked me out. The angle was much steeper and the feeling in your stomach was a bit heavier if you know what I mean, but honestly it was over pretty quick.

 

[Inkmahm]

I share this with you for information, not to scare you. Most people have said it is different than most take off's and landings but it is not like you are riding California Screamin'. I am flying into SNA on Dec 8th and came across this article the other day on a major news website. The article was entitled "Secrets pilots don't want you to know" and it was very interesting. I also found it interesting in the article SNA was mentioned not once but TWICE by pilots out of the thousands of airports as being difficult. Here is the quotes from the article about SNA:

“The two worst airports for us: Reagan National in Washington, D.C., and John Wayne in Orange County, California. You’re flying by the seat of your pants trying to get in and out of those airports. John Wayne is especially bad because the rich folks who live near the airport don’t like jet noise, so they have this noise abatement procedure where you basically have to turn the plane into a ballistic missile as soon as you’re airborne.” -Pilot, South Carolina

“At some airports with really short runways, you’re not going to have a smooth landing no matter how good we are: John Wayne Airport; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Chicago Midway; and Reagan National.” -Joe D’Eon, a pilot at a major airline

That article is the exact reason I didn't look into flying into John Wayne and booked LAX instead.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Ooh what sort of stories? If you don't mind me asking?

A few years back we were flying into Tinian airport in a commercial/ charted Short 360. About 5 minutes out the pilot stated that due to weather we would be making a rapid descent, we then "pealed off" like you see planes do in the movies came down, hit the end of the runway, bounced about 50 ft into the air, bounced again, and taxied over to the small airport terminal(I called it a hut.) The pilot just stood there, smiled and said have a great day. The biggest problem was we had to fly out with him, which was a very uneventful flight. A good portion of my out of country flights always seem to have a small moment of excitement.

Jack

Sent from my iPhone

 

[kikiq]

That article is the exact reason I didn't look into flying into John Wayne and booked LAX instead.

Really, I'm guessing that you are not driving from LAX but taking some other kind of transportation. LAX traffic is enough for most local folks to pay the extra $25 - 50 to fly from SNA. The only reason we use LAX is when we get the $100 one way to Orlando Even then, we take the fly away bus from from the Irvine train station to avoid driving in that traffic and save on parking money.

Landing is nothing different than any other airport, depends on the pilot. And take off because of the noise abatement issue is a steep climb then a "coast" over the rich people homes (built AFTER the airport also the same folks who tried to make El Toro air base the new airport, which would have made a more exciting take off and landing over Saddleback Mountain...and can we even imagine what it would be like during the Santa Ana winds).

 

[toocherie]

Even then, we take the fly away bus from from the Irvine train station to avoid driving in that traffic and save on parking money.

Kiki--please tell me more about the fly away bus please?

I hate flying and much prefer going out of John Wayne to LAX--if only they had nonstop flights to Orlando. Because I don't like ANY takeoffs and landings I opt to go to LAX so I can take a direct flight.

 

[Miss Peach]

And take off because of the noise abatement issue is a steep climb then a "coast" over the rich people homes (built AFTER the airport also the same folks who tried to make El Toro air base the new airport, which would have made a more exciting take off and landing over Saddleback Mountain.

This is actually quite inaccurate. I live in Newport Beach, in a house built in the 1920's, in a neighborhoood of houses built in the 20s and 30s, and we are greatly affected by the SNA noise. We are not snobs, rich, or johnny come latelys that built after the airport. I remember when SNA was a small airport for private planes, and I remember the meetings and binding agreements for noise levels that allowed the airport to be enlarged. And since that time I have personally experienced the cutting of corners on the flight paths to save $$ for the corporate biggies. So, unless you were here all along, please do not tell me about how the rich people are directing the rules at SNA.

And now back to the regularly scheduled disussion of whether you will feel the increased accent and decent at SNA...

Cathy

 

[kikiq]

This is actually quite inaccurate. I live in Newport Beach, in a house built in the 1920's, in a neighborhoood of houses built in the 20s and 30s, and we are greatly affected by the SNA noise. We are not snobs, rich, or johnny come latelys that built after the airport. I remember when SNA was a small airport for private planes, and I remember the meetings and binding agreements for noise levels that allowed the airport to be enlarged. And since that time I have personally experienced the cutting of corners on the flight paths to save $$ for the corporate biggies. So, unless you were here all along, please do not tell me about how the rich people are directing the rules at SNA.

And now back to the regularly scheduled disussion of whether you will feel the increased accent and decent at SNA...

Cathy

Ahhh, wasn't speaking of the regular folks of the older neighborhoods but of the building of the Newport Coast area in the last 15 years. And I have been a OC resident for over 20 years.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

That article is the exact reason I didn't look into flying into John Wayne and booked LAX instead.

Please don't let that article scare you. I have flown into both many times (married to a guy from L.A.--so we fly in to visit the in-laws several times a year). If anything, I would advise anyone wanting an easy, lovely, beautiful transition into Disneyland to fly into SNA. The difference is THAT big. We flew into Long Beach for the first time this trip--and let's just say we will never do that again. It was little, smelly, crowded and just a bunch of portables pushed together. SNA on the other hand is gloriously clean, modern, and easy to navigate. LAX is the stinking armpit of the southland.

And this comes from a total fear of flying person--every noise I think is us crashing! I have a lot of anxiety surrounding flying, but I never hesitate to fly into SNA.

 

[kikiq]

Kiki--please tell me more about the fly away bus please?

A good friend uses the fly away bus from the valley and told me that there was one from the Irvine train station. Cost $25/adults, kids are free. Picks you up right outside the station and will deliver you to your airline at LAX. There is free parking at the station for flyaway bus folks. So if you are staying a week or longer in WDW and park any where near LAX, it's $50/couple, free parking and you just have to haul your luggage on the bus. I'm not sure how often they run, we took the first one at 4:15 am to catch a 8:20 am plane. Seems a little early but we didn't want to take any chances with early morning rush hour traffic and security lines. And it was for 5 days, beats airport parking prices and no LAX driving! Where do you live?

 

[ShellyMouse]

hi OP, i posted earlier about the landing into sna. now im back home , flew in last night. i wanted to give you my opinion on the take off from sna.....

now remember, im a terrible flyer...my bottle of xanax came up missing from hotel room during our stay, so i scrambled around calling my doctor, getting a new script to a walgreens in huntington beach....all while having a panic attack about it, and trying to enjoy our last day in california.

the take off was NOTHING!! the pilot let us know its a different kind of take off. he said he would rev the engine while stopped, and let off the break...and take off extra fast. then that we would coast for a couple minutes....just knowing this ahead of time helped me alot! i honestly didnt FEEL much difference at all.

and the airport itself is WONDERFUL!!!! clean, easy, helpful. security only took about 4 minutes...

i hope this will ease your mind a little bit. i would not hesitate to fly into/out of this airport again! and thats huge coming from me!

have a great trip!!

 

[Funball]

December trip takers,

I still have Christmas maps for both parks DCA and DLR!! If you don’t have a trip till the end of the month you still have time to get a map or a set!!

Please pm me with an address and I will quickly get them sent out!!

IF YOUR Not taking a trip and like a set anyways, I can do that also!!!

 

[Flitterific]

I always fly to SNA on my DLR trips and have never noticed a difference in take-off or landing. I was actually surprised when DBF mentioned this thread to me today.

OP - there is nothing to worry about. SNA is safe to fly in and out of

 

[mrswh]

SNA is a terrific airport. As others have said, noise abatement over OC is the issue, so they are required to use a short field takeoff. It is noticeable enough that many pilots/FAs will mention it prior to taking off. Once you get on the runway, they spool up the engines to full power and you are up in the air before you know it. There is a steep climb out and then a turn (since after takeoff you will be out over the ocean). I'm generally fine with flying but not a huge fan of takeoffs - so I actually prefer this airport - then I can just get it over with instead of rolling down the runway for what seems like forever. (Esp. in Denver with the LONG runways.)

I don't think landing is really any different than anywhere else. Someone mentioned Jackson, WY which is the WORST - coming in between mountains. Yikes. SNA is a breeze in comparison.

Once you are on the ground at SNA, you are at your gate very quickly and getting out the door and on your way is a snap! It's a great airport - updated, clean, decent food options, and small enough that you can get around quickly. (You don't even have to get on a bus for a rental car!)

I find it funny that people are bothered by Denver . . . I LOVE landing in Denver! A nice, even descent - none of this round and round in the pattern like in LGA. And San Diego - gorgeous view when landing. If you crash, you're screwed, but so what? You're just as screwed if you crash anywhere else.

 

[zelda1rn]

Looking forward to hearing about your trip and take off from SNA. Hope you had a great time! Thanks from one Coloradoan to another!