New Englanders: Opinions on Flying to DL on SWA?

[Figment&Piglet]

We have a credit and therefore need to fly SWA to Disneyland next April school vacation. Southwest apparently has no non-stops from BOS, PVD, MHT, or BDL to any of the 4 Disneyland-area airports (LAX, SNA, ONT, or BUR). So, we know we have to stop once or twice and also change planes.

Can anyone give their two cents on which airports they've flown in/out of at what times and why? I've looked at all the combinations (at least on 4/12, which is our probably departure date and the only date open on their schedule right now), and the rates and flight times with stops are pretty much on par. (Leave New England at either 6:00 a.m. or just before noon and arrive in CA 8-9 hours later.) We also plan to rent a car, so availability of transportation not an issue (although proximity to car rental probably is.)

Thanks.

 

[mrswh]

SWA flies direct to DEN from BOS, PVD and BDL, and also direct (more than once a day) from DEN to SNA, which is my very favorite DLR airport - it's easy to navigate, small, modern, clean and has decent food choices.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I fly weekly cross country and try and fly Southwest everywhere I can. Unlike other airlines where you might have to hike across two terminals to make the connection, that is almost NEVER the case with SW. Every airport connection is easy with them, and they are really good at holding flights for a few minutes to accommodate delays for connections.

With Southwest, I would not worry at all about connecting city and rather focus on best price and schedule for ya

 

[twotoohappy]

The only airport that I stay away from is Philly

 

[Flynn_Rider]

For what it's worth, I would 100% fly into SNA. Cheapest shuttle services from there. And you'll be at the hotel within 30 minutes of getting your bags. So pleasent.

I've flown SWA, and if you can avoid a plane change that's amazing too. I'd also stay away from Philly but not at the cost of flying into SNA.

 

[NHGoofy]

We"re on route now to SNA. Left MHT at 6:20 this morning. Connected in Chicago. Gates side by side. On a SWA wifi plane. Plan to take the Disneyland Resort Express to GCH. Easy!

 

[Steamboat Philly]

Very good call on SNA, best airport in the area! Very low traffic at that airport.

 

[Figment&Piglet]

Well, booked the other half of our trip from SNA back to BDL. There seem to be no non-stop and no direct flights either from any of the four area airports (BOS, BDL, PVD, or MHT) to SNA, all are changing planes at least once (Las Vegas on the way down, Denver on the way back) and the return times have us landing after 10:00 p.m.!

Hope this is worth it...it certainly doesn't seem to be convenient! I sort of wish we picked another airline now, but too late, nonrefundable tix. Even JetBLue had only overnight flights and for almost twice as much, so we'll see how this works.

It's definitely worth not flying into LAX even with all these stops and crummy times??

 

[Kristi1357]

Another vote for SNA! We usually fly out of Manchester, NH and the connections are worth not having to deal with LAX.

 

[mouselike-harrier]

Timing and prices were the reasons that I threw caution to the wind and booked a direct flight from Jfk to Lax on Virgin America. Throwing in commute time and expense to Jfk and from Lax still made it worth it!

 

[Steamboat Philly]

I just checked Kayak, and I'm not seeing ANY non-stop flight to any airports out here, even LAX. Shortest flight I see is 6 hours 51 minutes. So I don't think you made a bad choice.