Tips or Info flying out of ORH (worcester)

[momtwoboys]

Any tips to share? Parking? We always fly out of BDL (hartford) when traveling to MCO for Disney. I just scored great prices out of worcester, we are about 40 min from the airport but have never been there. We booked with Jetblue for April 2014

 

[goofy4tink]

I love flying out of Worcester!! Flying to WDW from there in Dec!!! It's a very small airport. Food options are not great. If you want something more substantial than a not too terrific muffin, then you should bring it with you!!
But parking is very cheap...at least it was the last time I flew out of there. When you park, you have to walk up a flight of stairs to get to the terminal area, so you may want to have someone drop you and the bags off curbside and then they can park the car and join you.

 

[irishone21]

I am psyched too! We live about 10 min. from the airport and got a good price for April as well....although I had a better price at first, and I guess I took too long filling everything out because I lost the original tickets and had to start over again 2X!! All in all, we ended up with a price of $313 plus tax rt pp so I'm still happy, but I started out at $277.

Worcester is a nice airport, it is small. Parking is cheap and right in front of the terminal. As goofy4tink said, there are steps up, so definitely drop off your luggage etc. at the terminal and then park. It's a quiet airport, not a lot to do or see. The last time I was there they did have a coffee shop but that's about it, and the times they are open is fairly limited, so stop at Dunkins on your way!

 

[momtwoboys]

Thanks everyone! We usually fly the 4 of us with 2 suitcases and thats it, so going up a flight of stairs should be fine. Any idea of how much parking is ? We are flying out april 19th and coming back april 26th. Total for 4 of us is 1,342.20 SWEEEEET! Hubby thinks it may take us 45 min there unless traffic is very light. Any thoughts on how early we should be there? The plane had a set up of seats 2 x 2...we are used to flying in the 3 x 3....is this a tiny plane?

 

[irishone21]

According to their website, parking is $7/day or $42/wk. The last time we flew out of there was when Direct Air was there, and I think we got there about an hour, or a little more, before our flight time. There was very little waiting in lines. Where in MA are you coming from? We have been on Jet Blue planes before that are 2x2 seating and they weren't tiny.....obviously smaller than the 3x3 but not really cramped.

 

[momtwoboys]

we are coming from Exit 7 off the Mass pike. So not too far at all we live in Ludlow, MA. thanks for your help! so for a 7:30 flight we should be at the terminal parked and all set by 6:30?? or a little before?

 

[goofy4tink]

I would actually get to the airport about 90 mins prior. Yes, you will have to sit and wait, but that's better than worrying about not having enough time. An hour would be the least I would do...even at Worcester!!!

 

[momtwoboys]

so we'll shoot on getting there for 6/6:15am hoping they don't change the times! we will stop on the pike for food on the way there.

 

[Kyle+Breanna'smom]

We too will be flying out of Worcester for the first time April 18th and returning April 26th! This is great information! We were thinking about staying at a local hotel in the area the night before. Any good places to stay? We may just park at the airport for the week as that sounds like the best option. There are no good food choices after security? We usually fly out of Bradley and feed the kids once we are through security so that will be one big change.

 

[momtwoboys]

good question! I have no idea what hotels are very close to this airport?? Would be go to know just incase the flight time changes any earlier. I do not like to get up at 3:30 on a travel day! I was hoping to leave the house at 5:15 and get there for 6ish. See you on the flight home! We must be on the same one, there is only 1 flight right? hahaaa! Same here we always eat after security at BDL so we may pick something up at the McD's on the way in.

 

[Kyle+Breanna'smom]

good question! I have no idea what hotels are very close to this airport?? Would be go to know just incase the flight time changes any earlier. I do not like to get up at 3:30 on a travel day! I was hoping to leave the house at 5:15 and get there for 6ish. See you on the flight home! We must be on the same one, there is only 1 flight right? hahaaa! Same here we always eat after security at BDL so we may pick something up at the McD's on the way in.

We live a bit farther away from the airport than you so we were thinking about just staying the night near the airport to make the morning easier and less stressful McD's will always work for the kids! Yes there is only one flight home so I guess we will see you on the flight home

 

[momtwoboys]

I'll wave to you! I hope someone that lives close to there can offer some Hotel info.

 

[Figment&Piglet]

We live just south of Worcester airport, about 20 mins away. We're torn between giving them a try for Easter/spring break next year on JB or waiting for SWA out of PVD. ORH has just one airline (JB) with one flight a day to MCO--what if it's cancelled, etc.? A little nervous about the risk (they haven't even STARTED flying out of that airport yet, and won't until November, so we don't know what to expect), but we'd like to support the local airport and know it won't be anywhere near as crowded, etc.

Anyway, for hotels near there--there's a new Courtyard Marriott near downtown on Grove Street, and there's a new Hilton Garden Inn in downtown across from the DCU center (can't remember the street name...maybe Major Taylor Blvd.?) that would probably be your newest/nicest/closest. There's also the Beechwood Hotel on Worcester's Rte. 9 at the top of the hill near the Shrewsbury line. That is a nice hotel, too.

 

[momtwoboys]

I did think of that only 1 flight thing, but with it being April the weather should not be a concern. I wanted JB this time for assigned seats and knew that out of BDL the prices were not going to come down. Sure southwest may or may not be cheaper when it comes out but I am hoping for the best with our choice to try ORH. Thank you so much for the hotel info...will look into those as a plan b.

 

[irishone21]

There are no hotels really close to the Airport. As Figment&Piglet said, there are a couple of hotels in downtown Worcester that are fairly new and would be fine for you to stay at with your family. The Beechwood Inn is very nice, but expensive. Not a place I would bring my kids for an overnight stay before a trip.
Another choice would be in Auburn, MA which is probably where you would get off of the pike anyways Momtwoboys. Exit 10, there are a couple of hotels, a Holiday Inn Express and a Hampton Inn, and I believe a third one...Fairfield Inn maybe? all right near each other. I have not been to any of them, but they are all fairly new.

I flew out of Worcester many times when Direct Air was here and always had a good experience. I think you'll be happy you did!

 

[goofy4tink]

A hotel in Auburn would be my thought as well.
As far as the one flight a day goes..if there is an issue, and they say they can't fly into Worcester, they may very well fly into either Providence or Boston and bus you back to Worcester. This is the only issue I have. But, at least they fly into other nearby airports!! Direct Air didn't give you that option. So, if they had to cancel a flight, you were stuck!

There is a small convenience shop in the gate area. It sells coffee, muffins, soda, water, magazines, that sort of thing. But it's very small...and there aren't a lot of choices. I would recommend grabbing something along the way to the airport and then getting a drink once you get past security.

 

[momtwoboys]

I am very thankful for the helpful info that was shared on here. What nice people! For now we will plan on getting up that morning and leaving from home. We are really not far at all. Yes we will be getting off at exit 10 so not bad at all. There is a rest stop with Mcd's on the pike on the way in so we will be all set.

 

[Moodyzblu]

I'm so excited for this ! I live like 20 minutes away.
I was wondering how the prices and such were going to be .. we usually fly out of Boston and being able to fly out of Worcester will be so much more convenient .. especially for the trip home.
Can't wait to hear about others experiences !

 

[Figment&Piglet]

That's true I forgot about the Auburn hotels off exit 10 near the Auburn mall and that way you'd have a McD's, Dunkin's and Starbucks in very close proximity in the morning. Those might be better choices and I'm guessing a bit cheaper than downtown Worcester.

My fear on the 1 flight a day thing is not so much being rerouted on the return which would be a bit of a PITA but moreso on what happens if the departing flight gets cancelled. It being Easter week and school vacation week I'm sure PVD and BDL flight will be full so they can't just slide you over to one of those, so a major delay in the start of our vacation and in getting to WDW could be downright tragic (ha ha). Right now while the Sat flight are sold out or almost so the Mon flight we are looking at doesn't have one seat sold and I don't think they'll fly an empty plane for just our family of 3 (though that would be nice). In short I'm nervous about getting there.

 

[goofy4tink]

That's true I forgot about the Auburn hotels off exit 10 near the Auburn mall and that way you'd have a McD's, Dunkin's and Starbucks in very close proximity in the morning. Those might be better choices and I'm guessing a bit cheaper than downtown Worcester.

My fear on the 1 flight a day thing is not so much being rerouted on the return which would be a bit of a PITA but moreso on what happens if the departing flight gets cancelled. It being Easter week and school vacation week I'm sure PVD and BDL flight will be full so they can't just slide you over to one of those, so a major delay in the start of our vacation and in getting to WDW could be downright tragic (ha ha). Right now while the Sat flight are sold out or almost so the Mon flight we are looking at doesn't have one seat sold and I don't think they'll fly an empty plane for just our family of 3 (though that would be nice). In short I'm nervous about getting there.

I certainly wouldn't worry about it now, in July!!! That plane will be full. Keep in mind, the vast majority of people are not like us...they aren't uber planners, booking airfare at the earliest minute possible.
If JB were to cancel a flight, then they would make every effort to get you on another flight. If it were a mechanical issue, then they would have to wait to bring in another plane.
I'm flying out of Worcester on Dec 3...now, I'm the one that should be worried!!! That's prime snow/freeze time in Worcester!!! Flying back into TF Green though...it's a reward flight and that's what was offered.