Newburgh, NY (Stewart Airport to Orlando)---HELP !!!!!

[disney9696]

Hi,

Can anyone help me???? I usually fly out of EWR (Newark, NJ) when going to Disney. But frankly, it is always so crowded, congested, and CONFUSING !!!! Has anyone flown out of SWF (Newburgh---Stewart Airport)???? Rates seem to be better than Newark....and airport is so much SMALLER it seems !!!!!!!!!!!!

************* If so, I would LOVE to hear your opinions----both good and bad-----************

We need to leave our van in long term parking......have you used the long term lots there as well?????? How do the prices seem???

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Lisa

 

[kazzy3]

Hi, we traveled to Orlando from Stewart in Nov 08 and were very happy. It is small. I think we used long term parking, it is not like Newark where you are miles away. It was more like the far end of the lot. We were able to use EZ pass to pay for parking. I don't recall how much probably because I didn't think it was too much. I do remember I called and got a price before we left. Stewart is very easy to navigate because it is small. The only thing is that the flight to Orlando with Jet Blue was very early and we arrived more than 2 hrs prior and just had to wait on line for the desks to open. When we went thru security we had an issue because we had an infant and had a good amount of formula. They had to open three bottles to swab, they don't have the laser that scans the bottles w/o opening them. Because it was ready made formula I had to discard one bottle or else it would have spoiled. I had the full security pat down then but it was not a problem because it wasn't very crowded, where I would be worried about my DH w/ the other kids and all the gear. The lines were not bad at all. The people friendly. When we passed through security there was a cafeteria that was good. Again, because it is small there is not a lot of walking. Since then we had to travel out of Newark twice and I will not go back unless I have to. It was so crowded and there is so much construction. Stewart is very easy to get to and there was no traffic that early in the morning. Have a good trip.

 

[Debbie Jean]

We are normally EWR people, too, but have flown out of Stewart several times to Orlando.

Here is a link to the parking charges http://www.panynj.gov/airports/swf-parking.html About $12.00/a day. The best part is, as you can see from the photo, that it is a 2 minute walk to the check-in desk! Gotta love that!

There are only about 6 gates total so not much walking and 2 luggage conveyer belts... everything is so much less stressful than Newark.

I won't do it in winter because the weather is too unpredictable and there just aren't that many flights going out that you could rebook on, but we are leaving out of Stewart next month and looking forward to it!

 

[DAKDino1998]

I live 15 minutes away from Stewart, and I've flown to MCO on JetBlue once (in 2008) and to ATL on Delta once (in 2010). It is indeed easier than EWR in terms of parking (the cheaper long term lot might be full, but they seem to be building a new lot) and walking to and through the terminal. The downside to SWF, IMHO, is that it seemed to me in 2008 that JB didn't have much staffing. The MCO flight was the only one in the building, and they had two windows open, with no windows available for folks who checked in at home to just drop their bags (SWF does not offer curbside drop-off). We must have waited 25 minutes to get to the front to check our bags. Delta seemed to have the same issue in 2010, but being it was a small plane with business travelers, I waited for only about 3 minutes.

The other issue, again IMHO, is that the passengers are not exactly the most seasoned travelers, so they ask a lot of questions and hold up the lines. Add this to the typical makeup of an MCO bound flight (lots of kids and lots of baggage). In addition, the security folks aren't used to being quick like the EWR folks. When I went through security in February for my ATL flight, the guy at the checkpoint gazed at my driver's license for a good 45 seconds, even bringing out a flashlight to look at it closer.

That said, I'm flying to MCO in July out of SWF. Can't beat grabbing your bags and being home in 15 minutes.

 

[DAKDino1998]

We need to leave our van in long term parking......have you used the long term lots there as well?????? How do the prices seem???

To answer your parking question specifically, the parking and rates are quite good. In 2008, we parked in the "Credit Card Lot". I guess it's the closest thing to Long Term Parking at EWR (lots P6 and P7). It's located to the right of the terminal building and a very short walk. You swipe your card on the way in and the gate goes up. When you come back, you swipe the same card you used to leave. There are two other lots, which is actually the same lot split into two with two different entrance lanes. The short term lot is the part that's right in front of the terminal, and the back half of the same lot is the "long term" lot, kinda like P4 at EWR.

When I flew out in February of 2010, the credit card lot was full, and they were directing you to the long term lot. More expensive, but you have no choice. I was being dropped off by DW, so it wasn't an issue for me.

 

[MagiKitty]

I fly out of Stewart several times a year. I love using JetBlue because its a direct flight. But I have flown USAirways and Delta. I usually park in the credit card lot too...its adjacent to the terminal.

Depending on how long you're going to be away, some local hotels have a stay and fly package, where you stay the night before and leave your car at the hotel, take the shuttle to Stewart. No parking fee involved. It works especially if you have an early, early flight.

The only issues I"ve had with Stewart is due to weather. During the winter especially with the smaller commuter plane from Philly on USAirways, the flights tend to be delayed or cancelled. But spring, summer, and fall---Stewart is my choice.

I agree that security is the tightest at Stewart of any airport, domestic or international, that I've seen. But the airport is so small, once you get through security, the gate is just seconds away....

Enjoy and have a safe trip!

 

[MrsNick]

I agree that security is the tightest at Stewart of any airport, domestic or international, that I've seen. But the airport is so small, once you get through security, the gate is just seconds away....

I also agree that security is tight at Stewart airport, but I really appreciate the fact that they take security seriously. They're very careful, and I feel safer flying out of Stewart for that reason, and because I believe that it's less of a target than the large New York airports (I could be wrong about that, but it's just my belief).

I love Stewart airport, but haven't flown out of there for a few years (had to fly out of EWR the last few times I went). It's long enough that I don't recall that there was a credit card lot, or that the front lot was separated into short and long term parking. When we flew, there was the main lot, and the overflow lot and that was it. Good to know since we're flying out of there soon!

 

[disney9696]

Thank you so much everyone for your quick replies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I plan on booking tonight---hopefully at SWF !!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmmmm......this is my only concern......we will be flying out in December.......and like some of you said, there is only 1 flight out a DAY......I don't want to run into trouble if there is bad weather....... My dates would be 12/1-12/9...........I would LOVE to give this airport a try....what do you all think ?????

Thanks again EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!


Lisa

 

[MrsNick]

Thank you so much everyone for your quick replies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I plan on booking tonight---hopefully at SWF !!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmmmm......this is my only concern......we will be flying out in December.......and like some of you said, there is only 1 flight out a DAY......I don't want to run into trouble if there is bad weather....... My dates would be 12/1-12/9...........I would LOVE to give this airport a try....what do you all think ?????

Thanks again EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!


Lisa

You know what I would do? I'd call the airline and ask what they would do if they cancelled that one flight. Would they try to get you out the day before a bad storm? If that isn't possible, would they get you out on the next flight? Would they allow you to fly out of EWR if the flights out of SWF were cancelled but there were seats available at EWR? Then I would make my decision as to which airport to fly out of.

To be honest, I wasn't really thrilled that there's only one flight out per day, but we're flying in a few weeks so I felt that it would be unlikely our flight would be cancelled for weather reasons and was willing to take a calculated gamble to gain the other advantages (smaller airport, better/cheaper parking, easier experience all around) since we're travelling with a baby.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Debbie Jean]

Thank you so much everyone for your quick replies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I plan on booking tonight---hopefully at SWF !!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmmmm......this is my only concern......we will be flying out in December.......and like some of you said, there is only 1 flight out a DAY......I don't want to run into trouble if there is bad weather....... My dates would be 12/1-12/9...........I would LOVE to give this airport a try....what do you all think ?????

Thanks again EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!


Lisa

Honestly? Based on this past winter, I wouldn't even consider Stewart after Thanksgiving!

Seriously, though, that's my usual cut off date for Newburgh.... if something happens, there are at least options at EWR... with one Jet Blue flight a day I just wouldn't take a chance. On the other hand, I'm about equidistant between the 2 so that makes it an easier call.

 

[bballmom56]

On the other hand, I'm about equidistant between the 2 so that makes it an easier call.

lol, me too! I really would prefer going out of Newburgh - less traffic, easier drive. But I wasn't crazy about the flight times both departing and returning, so I went with Newark.

 

[disney9696]

Hi again,

It's me----just want to thank you again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! U are all GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa

PS I am going to take my chances with the weather, so I booked Newburgh tonight!!!! Don't think I will ever be going back to Newark !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

Hi!! We live 5 minutes from Stewart and LOVE it! We fly into MCO a few times a year and its fantastic! Stewart is small and easy walking to parking! Love Jetblue! Welcome to Newburgh!

 

[cg1200]

Flew out of SWF once and loved it. Wish they had more flights. Take a look at HPN too. I bet that's closer and they have way more flights. Parking can be an issue but there are solutions.

 

[jerseygirl81]

I don't know if you've booked it yet, but have you considered westchester county airport (White Plains, NY) airport code HPN. They have 3 non-stops on the day you leave and 4 on the day you return. It's also a nice little airport, we loved both SWF and HPN. HPN is minimal parking but there is a hotel near the airport where you can park your car and they transfer you to the airport for about $10/day. The rates out of HPN are cheaper than SWF even if its a little further it might be worth it for peace of mind of possibly switching to a later or earlier flight if need be to the weather. If you need any more info about the hotel to park let me know, the airport website actually recommends getting dropped off due to minimal parking. Linda

 

[disney9696]

Hi,

Yes, I booked already-SWF. I am taking my chances and HOPING for good weather. Before I booked, I called Jetblue and if for some reason there is a problem the day of departure, they said they would work with me to leave from another nearby airport.

I was looking at HPN over the weekend, but what I wasn't comfortable with was the (possible) lack of parking once we get there.

THanks again for everyone's help....SO glad I thought to create a thread here !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa

 

[burnsoc]

You'll love SWF. If I'm flying to Orlando, I always go JetBlue from here. I've flown in every season and never had a problem. Flying out of SWF is a much nicer experience than EWR. It's never taken me more than 15 minutes to check in and go through security. And that's with three kids under 6.