Southwest from PHL or Spirit from ACY?

[melanie18]

OK, I'm making myself nuts trying to decide which airline to go with to MCO. We've flown Spirit out of Atlantic City twice before with no problems whatsoever...however, for our upcoming Oct trip they are more $$$ than Southwest out of Philly (about $200 more).

My concern is with Southwest's "no assigned seating" deal (we are a family of 3). I know that families are normally seated first, but I really cannot stand being herded like cattlle in line.

Both airports are about the same distance from our home...I'm just torn on which to go with

What would you do?

 

[Mark P.]

Hi,
Sounds very familiar! I'd go with Southwest.

We've flown several times with Spirit out of ACY, and have had no problems. Matter of fact, we'd rather fly out of ACY, because of it's being smaller and seems less hectic or busy than PHL. Parking is nicer, too at ACY, IMO. Like you, both airports are about the same distance from our home.

But having said that, for our December trip, we went with SW out of PHL, as Spirit's fares were (and still are) much higher than SW. (around $400 more for our family of 4).

We're also concerned with the seating, but we're traveling with a 3 year old, so from what I understand, we'll be able to pre-board.
We're also going to arrive early, which is from what I've read, very important to help ensure sitting together.
We're also doing the park n fly the night before at a hotel near PHL, that also will shuttle to and from the Airport. That will help in checking in earlier.

Here's a good reason I'm glad we chose SW:
I originally booked at $79 fare for each way. A week or so later, the return flight went down to $49. I called SW about it, and was credited the difference (total of $120) back onto my credit card.
I also like the fact that SW doesn't charge a fee to make a change on your reservation. Spirit is $50 per person to make any change.

Hope this helps,
-Mark

 

[DisKim]

I agree with Mark P. I live in Jersey too and have flown both. I certainly prefer ACY because it is only 40 minutes from my house and it is so much less hectic. The thing I don't like is the airfare. They love to really inflate the prices for school breaks. I've seen flights going for 250-300 one way during peak periods. Southwest generally has much cheaper airfare. We had great flights with them. If you have a child under 5, you may preboard.

 

[Propro]

Southwest usually has 5 flights a day from PHL and Spirit has either 2 or 3 from ACY. If you fly Spirit and they need to cancel your flight, there's a long wait until the next one. Did you check US Airways from PHL? They have the most daily non-stops to Orlando. They normally match Southwest's fares and you get your seat assignment when you book.

 

[melanie18]

UPDATE: OK...now we're leaning towards Spirit out of ACY. At this point, they're rate if $485 for 3 of us! Not bad!

 

[Rhonda922]

I really like going out of Phila. but couldn't pass up a rate I saw on Spirit out of A.C. for $39 roundtrip.

Like Mark P. said the parking is nice in A.C. and the last time that we were there I didn't feel like the parking lot was so huge that we would lose our car.

 

[Maria395712]

mark p
how do you find park and fly where do you stay and how do you make a ressie
maria

 

[Mark P.]

Originally posted by Maria395712
mark p
how do you find park and fly where do you stay and how do you make a ressie
maria

Hi,
Sorry it took so long to reply, just got back from a mini vacation out of state.

Here's a link that lists hotels close to PHL:

PHL Hotels

We had some Starwood Points (from staying at Disney's Dolphin), and had enough for a night's stay at the Sheraton 4 Points the night before our flight, so that made our choice easy. They also provide shuttle service to and from the airport.

Hope this helps,
-Mark

 

[melanie18]

Booked our tickets! $435 RT on Spirit.