Non-Stop to LAX or One Stop into SNA?

[Janemall]

Is LAX really that bad to navigate in/out of?

I know SNA is super easy and convenient, by what makes LAX so difficult?

 

[sherilaine]

Is LAX really that bad to navigate in/out of?

I know SNA is super easy and convenient, by what makes LAX so difficult?

So far we have not had trouble, we have flown in, rented a car and driven into Anaheim without hassle. Had we added a stop over onto our flight and flown into SNA, we would have a much longer door to door trip. Others must have different experiences though.

 

[sheetz]

Traffic/long lines is probably the worst part of LAX so you have to allow for extra time for arrivals and departures. Otherwise I don't find the airport itself so bad.

 

[bumbershoot]

the prices are far better than other routes (for both the airfare AND the rental cars).

This is absolutely NOT an "always" thing. Rental car wasn't less expensive than elsewhere when DH flew in for work, and on the airlines I fly it is more expensive. I have gotten a decent rate on JB exactly once, it was years ago, and it was to SAN. And JB was lousy on both segments. I do my due diligence and check it sometimes but it is always much higher than the other airlines for my trips.

but SNA is a very easy airport to navigate.

It's all one big worm of a terminal yes, but it sure is a long slog.

LAX is very simple IMO. Op I'd go with lax. So easy to be the traveler in and out of it.

Hardest part of lax and the Express coach is that we like to be first on*, so we go outside and walk up to terminal 1 to get the first pickup, and then we slowly are driven by each terminal we passed.


*we also tend to land at the current pickup time, so we have an hour to kill, and there's not much going on in each terminal to amuse us. So we walk to spend the time doing something.

We've done Victoria-Seattle-SNA seven or eight times now and it really is no big deal even with having to collect our luggage, go through customs and immigration and change

Victoria doesn't pre-clear like many other Canadian airports do?

Is LAX really that bad to navigate in/out of?

I know SNA is super easy and convenient, by what makes LAX so difficult?

I don't think it's bad at all.

I have no idea.

We are people who get to the airport 2 hours before our flight no matter what, so LAX is no difficulty.

 

[Aladora]

Victoria doesn't pre-clear like many other Canadian airports do?

Victoria International Airport is small. Like, smaller than SNA small. Bigger than BUR but not by much. Two luggage carousels and 6 gates. So no, not so much with pre-clearing here!

There are many wonderful things about living on the island...an affordable easy way off is not one of them.

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

Last time we did one-stop flights in order to use SNA. I liked the short ride from the airport to Disneyland and it was cheap (Uber). On the way home, however, our first flight had mechanical problems, making us unable to make our connection in Houston. We caught a later flight to Houston and they lost our luggage. By midnight we finally got put up in a hotel without so much as a toothbrush. It was a nightmare. This time, we're taking our chances with LAX!

 

[sheetz]

Last time we did one-stop flights in order to use SNA. I liked the short ride from the airport to Disneyland and it was cheap (Uber). On the way home, however, our first flight had mechanical problems, making us unable to make our connection in Houston. We caught a later flight to Houston and they lost our luggage. By midnight we finally got put up in a hotel without so much as a toothbrush. It was a nightmare. This time, we're taking our chances with LAX!

To me this is the biggest concern. One more stop gives the airline one more chance to foul up your trip! The annoyances of LAX are nothing compared to those of missing your connecting flight!

 

[OneThree]

Last time we did one-stop flights in order to use SNA. I liked the short ride from the airport to Disneyland and it was cheap (Uber). On the way home, however, our first flight had mechanical problems, making us unable to make our connection in Houston. We caught a later flight to Houston and they lost our luggage. By midnight we finally got put up in a hotel without so much as a toothbrush. It was a nightmare. This time, we're taking our chances with LAX!

That's the only thing I'm a bit leery of with Alaska. Some of their connections in either Portland or Seattle are pretty slim.

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

That's the only thing I'm a bit leery of with Alaska. Some of their connections in either Portland or Seattle are pretty slim.

Our connection wasn't even that tight -- it was supposed to be a 2.5 hour layover, but we sat for almost that long (around 1.5 hours) on the tarmac at SNA while they tried to fix the mechanical problem - which they could not do. I'm glad they didn't take off with a problem, don't get me wrong!

On a positive note, Southwest gave us $400 in vouchers for the trouble, but when I think back to the stress of the situation, it wasn't worth it!

 

[theostwalts]

Hey Guys,

Bumping this back up for final opinions. Here are the options from Charlotte, NC.

Non-Stop into LAX the fare is $526.70
One-Stop into SNA the fare $406.00

I am leaning toward paying the extra $120.70 for non-stop. It will be a solo trip so just myself to worry about getting to and from the airport.

 

[Jacie]

For our trip this summer I can either book direct into LAX (Delta) or one-stop into SNA (Alaska)? Price is about the same as are the arrival and departure times give or take.

The wife and I will be flying with DS (8) and DD (5) so I'm kinda leaning to the straight shot into LAX even though LAX can be a pain to get in and out of. We are planning on using the Disneyland Resort Express from either airport since we'll be traveling with another family.

Thoughts?

We have done both from Reno. Flying into LAX last week was the first time we'd done that and we'll probably do it again. It was much cheaper and not stops or layovers. As long as I personally don't have to drive in LA (We used Lansky's car service to pick us up) and the tickets are cheaper, we'll continue to fly into LA. I'd only do SNA if it's cheaper.

 

[smartlabelprint]

We usually fly into SNA from Alberta, Canada.

Our next trip in December though i think will be LAX.

LAX is direct, and over $1000 cheaper between the flights and rental car!

In this case $1000 is a big deal. I'd do LAX. Normally for me it's about $400 difference for all of us.

 

[AyraBelle]

Hey Guys,

Bumping this back up for final opinions. Here are the options from Charlotte, NC.

Non-Stop into LAX the fare is $526.70
One-Stop into SNA the fare $406.00

I am leaning toward paying the extra $120.70 for non-stop. It will be a solo trip so just myself to worry about getting to and from the airport.

Are you checking a bag? I very rarely check a bag (especially as a solo traveler) so stopping over doesn't matter to me because I don't have to worry about if my bags made it or not. But I also just prefer SNA because it feels easier to get around in. I'm sure if I traveled to LAX more it would feel easier than it does but when I used to live in Southern California we flew in and out of SNA all the time so I prefer that airport.
And, as a recent college grad, that $120.70 is a fair bit of money that I could spend on food or merchandise :]

 

[theostwalts]

Are you checking a bag? I very rarely check a bag (especially as a solo traveler) so stopping over doesn't matter to me because I don't have to worry about if my bags made it or not. But I also just prefer SNA because it feels easier to get around in. I'm sure if I traveled to LAX more it would feel easier than it does but when I used to live in Southern California we flew in and out of SNA all the time so I prefer that airport.
And, as a recent college grad, that $120.70 is a fair bit of money that I could spend on food or merchandise :]

I may have a checked bag. The trip will be for one week. I could probably get by with a carry on. I have never flown into LAX or SNA so I'm just making final decisions for the flight out and back. It looks like direct flights are about 5 1/2 hours long. It would add about two hours either way for the connection.

 

[sherilaine]

Where is the connection? I ask this because you are wanting to avoid LAX due to its reputation - so wondering if the airport you are going to connect through will present any hassle as well. Also, what time would you be arriving at LAX - that would add to the decision - if you are landing there and going to face rush hour traffic vs. landing in SNA and having a short drive to DLR?

 

[theostwalts]

Where is the connection? I ask this because you are wanting to avoid LAX due to its reputation - so wondering if the airport you are going to connect through will present any hassle as well. Also, what time would you be arriving at LAX - that would add to the decision - if you are landing there and going to face rush hour traffic vs. landing in SNA and having a short drive to DLR?

Arrival would be on Sat 4/30/16:
Direct to LAX 9:40 am
Connection in ORD arrive SNA 12:25 pm
Connection in PHX arrive SNA 11:42 am
Connection in DFW arrive SNA 1:38 pm

I'll probably use the Disneyland Resort express from either airport. My original plan was to fly directly into LAX. I'm not really concerned about the reputation, but in doing research I noticed a lot of people preferred SNA. I'm just trying to decide which would be best. I'm a WDW vet trying to plan a DL trip.

 

[sheetz]

I would take one with a connection unless the connection is tight and there's a chance you could miss it.

 

[theostwalts]

Also, I just realized I jumped into the middle of someone else's thread. I posted a thread with almost the same title a while back. Sorry to the OP. Didn't mean to hi-jack your thread.

 

[OneThree]

Also, I just realized I jumped into the middle of someone else's thread. I posted a thread with almost the same title a while back. Sorry to the OP. Didn't mean to hi-jack your thread.

LOL. No worries. I have enjoyed all who have participated and reading people's opinions on LAX vs SNA.

 

[Disney_Alli]

If it's cheaper I'd go with the connecting to SNA especially because getting to the resort is a lot cheaper from SNA than LAX too... although I never rent a car so doing so would probably eliminate that argument.