New here- Sanford Airport and Transmeridian air??

[tessqt]

I have been on the Resort board for a little while, now looking into transportation for our November trip.

What is Sanford Airport like, has anyone flew into there?

I have never heard of Transmeridian until just recently and they have a direct flight to Sanford from an airport closer to home, cheaper than any others I have found.

Any recommendations, thoughts, experiences??

Thanks,
Tess

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I've flown Transmeridian from Syracuse several times and love it. They're fantastic - simple meals on every flight we've had, non-stop service, and a great little airport to fly into at Sanford. I wish we were flying TMA for our next trip - I really regret going for financial savings over the convenience and service of TMA.

 

[tessqt]

1 positive,thanks!!

Anymore?? Bump

 

[Pete W.]

We're flying TransMeridian from Allentown, PA to Sanford, Fl on 6/23 and we're hoping for a positive experience. Used Southeast Airlines last year from Allentown to Sanford and were very pleased, then disappointed that they went out of business, now happy again that we can fly direct from Allentown to Florida!

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I haven't flown them but can tell you that they've been around a long time. I wouldn't have any reserves about booking transmeridian.

 

[localdriver]

I have been on the Resort board for a little while, now looking into transportation for our November trip.

What is Sanford Airport like, has anyone flew into there?

I have never heard of Transmeridian until just recently and they have a direct flight to Sanford from an airport closer to home, cheaper than any others I have found.

Any recommendations, thoughts, experiences??

Thanks,
Tess

Sanford is easy in and out.

Are you renting a car , or choosing other forms to get to where you are going?

If the latter, it might be good to check the cost, going into MCO might work out better cost wise, if you are not renting a car.

 

[tessqt]

Thanks! We are leaving from Harrisburg. I think we were going to rent a car for some of the trip, need to work those details out. Something to think about for sure, different from Orlando International.

Tess

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I used to use towncar services when I flew in to MCO, but discovered that the fares are (to me, anyway) significantly higher from Sanford. As a result, I rented a car from Alamo and will probably always do so from now on. It's cheaper than the towncar, the drive is not stressful at all, and it's nice to have a car in case I don't want to use WDW transportation. Be sure to take Route 417 - the Central Florida Greeneway - if you drive. It's so much better than I-4, even with the tolls.

 

[dzneelvr]

TMA has been in the regional airport near our home for one year. We used them last summer for the first time to fly into Sanford and had the best air travel experience of our lives And I used to be a heavy business traveller out of Ohare, so I've had hundreds of experiences to compare.

TMA's web is iflytma.com. You can make your reservation online and save a %. We paid $79 each way per person. The plane is clean. they serve a hearty breakfast/lunch (we didn't have a dinner flight). It is a popular carrier in the airports, so the flights fill up fast. Sanford is a small regional airport, much like Rockford or Milwaukee or Madison--fewer flights coming in; less hassle; shorter walking distances, etc. their website is orlandosanford.com. On the ground transportation menu you'll find all the options you have for getting to WDW. We rented a stretch limo from Happy Limo and had the time of our lives. We were in our ASmo check-in line in just an hour from the airport, so the travel time is identical to Orlando International. TMA and Sanford will be our new travel team. You can't ask for better

 

[leanne11]

live outside philly and refuse to fly from there,yuck,,fly Allentown to Sanford every year and love it,so small in and out in no time, we drop our luggage off then econ-park our car at allentown (something i will not do at philly) and we don't need to ask relatives to come pick us up, it's only $40 very close. we used Southeast also, sad they are gone but tma seems to be taking over the area, remember they are ticketless, so get there 2 hours early (with picture id) and then just relax,it's true they only fly 1 time a day to sanford but we are adding an extra day to just arrive and relax at the resort, we always rent from Dollar they are the cheapest, just go to there website and join fastlane you can get a coupon for a free upgrade. they will give you directions and a great map, because they are not usually that busy.
also i saw on the tma website a shuttle company was starting up for sanford...

 

[Pete W.]

remember they are ticketless, so get there 2 hours early (with picture id)

If you mean that they only issue e-tickets and not paper tickets, that is correct, but I'm not sure why that would make you want to arrive any earlier. Unlike Southeast Arlines, TransMeridian does allow you to pick your seats when you purchase tickets (either on their website or over the phone) so you don't have to check-in extra early to get your seat assignment.

 

[tessqt]

Thanks again!

Tess

 

[zdad]

I've heard good things too about TMA. Very limited schedule though. I like to fly out of Lehigh Valley when I get a chance too, it's a great airport. Due to schedule restrictions though, we're going out of Philly BUT.........we're flying into Tampa. Got a $71 each way fare on Southwest (Ding fare last night). Tampa, like Sanford, is much less crowded, and only marginally further away.

 

[leanne11]

Airport Check-In
TransMeridian recommends that passengers arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to departure time for domestic travel, and 3 hours for international travel, which includes San Juan, Puerto Rico. All passengers must be checked in at the airport check-in counter no later than 1 hour prior to the scheduled departure time. TransMeridian reserves the right to resell any seat 60 minutes prior to departure if the passenger has not yet checked in. Passengers checking in late will not receive refunds for missed flights or connections. All passengers 18 years of age or older must have a valid government issued photo identification, driver’s license or passport. Customers presenting themselves at the TransMeridian gate less than 10 minutes before scheduled departure for domestic flights (30 minutes for San Juan departures), will be considered a “no show” and may forfeit their reservation. TransMeridian will not be responsible for providing denied boarding compensation to no-shows.
Baggage
i would do as they say...