Virgin America into LAX or Alaska Airlines into Orange County (from SEA)?

[lk2500]

I've been to DLR 4 times and flown VA SEA to LAX each time due to cost savings. For the first time it appears it's actually cheaper to fly Alaska Air into Orange County.

We LOVE flying Virgin America but obviously hate getting into and out of LAX.

Does anyone have any experience, good or bad, flying Alaska into Orange County? Are they flying 737's out of Seattle? What is the waiting area like? We have flown Alaska into Kansas City and have had decent luck.

Also - is the Avis car rental desk walking distance or shuttle ride out of Orange County?

TIA,

 

[ParkHopper1]

Alaska is great. I am a Southwest A+ and Virgin Gold flyer and would hands down fly Alaska if they flew more routes I needed. I have flow them a few times from the Bay Area to Seattle and always pleasantly happy...this coming from someone that hates the legacy carriers.

Hands down SNA over LAX if you have the choice, no brainier if it is cheaper between those two airlines.

Rental cars are on site in the garage across from the terminal at SNA...no shuttles.

If you are just going to DL, no need for a car from SNA. There are lots of cheap and easy transportation options from Uber, Taxi and shuttles.

 

[lalasmama]

Have you considered Jet Blue into LGB (Long Beach)? I checked a few days ago, and it was $110 from SEA to LGB each way for June flights; that's my "buy it!" price for PDX, so seeing it from SEA seemed like a good deal. I really (really, really) hesitated flying JetBlue into LGB the first time I did it. Someone said it was a tiny airport (it is; 14 gates) with "modular" waiting areas, making me think of those old modular school rooms placed at the back of the school when classes have grown too big for the building. It's not like that at all! 2 small buildings, you walk onto the tarmac to board a full size (25-ish rows of 3 on each side, so about 150ish seats). On the Jet Blue side, there's like 4 restaurants (including a wine bar!), 6-7 gates, plenty of seating, and huge windows so you can see incoming/outgoing flights. There aren't car rental places, though, at least that I'm aware of; I just take a taxi ($45) to the Disneyland Resort area.

Otherwise, I haven't flown on Alaska into SNA (Orange County) in ages (20 years), but back then it was 737s, I believe. Or whatever Boing's 3-seats-per-side model was at that point.

However, I've flown into/out of SNA lots, so I can tell you about that The waiting areas are nice. There is a restaurant area that's kind of hidden. In fact, I was fairly confused until BFF and I found it, and realized that it's much more than just a Carls Jr. I can't remember what other restaurants are there, but there's a fair selection. Of course, there's also the overpriced "luxury convenience stores" too. TSA at SNA goes fairly quickly in my experience. I've waited nearly an hour for TSA at LAX, and never waited more than 10 minutes at SNA.

Rental cars are a small walk; no shuttles. There are lots of signs pointing you in the right way for that.

 

[Aladora]

We have flown SEA-SNA on Alaska 7 out of our last 8 trips. No complaints and you can't beat how close SNA is to DL!

 

[Indiana Scott]

We're in the Seattle area too. It's always Alaska to SNA. It's a much shorter trip from the airport to the resort area.
I only have one complaint about Alaska airlines though; Dont ever count on them for food because we have on numerous flights found that even during a lunch or dinner flight, they may only have enough for for 1/3 to 1/2 the airplane.
The rest of them, including children, are left starving. So if it's a meal flight, I strongly suggest getting something to go from the airport.

 

[bumbershoot]

We LOVE flying Virgin America but obviously hate getting into and out of LAX.

Is it obvious? I don't mind LAX transportation at all. Very straight forward, IMO.

It's a total pain to pick someone up there, especially if their plane is late, but as a traveler, IMO, it's a breeze (as long as you remember to give yourself time to get to and from the rental car dropoff place off site on the day you leave!)


I'd do VA over going into SNA. SNA is OK, but VA is amazing.

 

[wench]

I've always flown SEA to SNA on Alaskan or to LGB on Jet Blue. Both airports are small, so they're a quick in & out. And they're both a relatively short drive to the parks. I'll be trying LAX for the first time in a few months. But, honestly, if money wasn't tight trying to buy tickets for 2 different DL trips that are only a month & half apart, I probably wouldn't be going to LAX. The cost difference was enough to sway me this time. I'm more of a convenience person, so normally it's worth the extra cost for me to use the closer/smaller airport.

If you're finding a better cost for SNA for your trip, I would definitely recommend trying it.

 

[E&Cmom]

We flew SEA- SNA ( actually YVR- SEA - SNA) on Alaska 3 years ago and it worked out great. SNA is a nice small, easy to maneuver airport and the commute to the Dineyland are was nice and fast.

 

[Canuck16]

We flew Alaska from SEA to SNA last March and it was great! Yes they fly Boeing 737's and the model will vary depending on what flight you are on. SNA is a nice airport that is easy to get in and out of and is so close to DLR.

 

[calilou]

Since you're on a relatively short flight from Seattle I would definitely go with Alaska. They're a fine airline, comfortable and well managed. I agree with the lack of food options - eat before you board. SNA is such an easy airport to maneuver and so close to DLR. That's what I would choose for sure.

 

[nikkislaght]

we go between LB. and SNA from Seattle.. using both Jetblue and Alaska.. never had any trouble with either..as stated about both airports are easy to Disneyland and Taxi stands very close to terminal. with a flat rate of $45. for a taxi. that being both sedan and van.. we are a party of 5. dont know about the rentals as we always go to the retnals on Katella. if we need one.. we stay at the worlmark and its right next door..

if you have younger kids make sure you ask the steward for wings.. my son is 10 and still gets them.. bought our tickets in late Dec and paid $138 return.. for April. I know it will depend on the month and day you travel , but currently those same tickets are going between $142 and $190 +

Hope you have a good trip.

 

[nikkislaght]

We're in the Seattle area too. It's always Alaska to SNA. It's a much shorter trip from the airport to the resort area.
I only have one complaint about Alaska airlines though; Dont ever count on them for food because we have on numerous flights found that even during a lunch or dinner flight, they may only have enough for for 1/3 to 1/2 the airplane.
The rest of them, including children, are left starving. So if it's a meal flight, I strongly suggest getting something to go from the airport.

we have never had a meal on Alaska to CA , I dont think the flights are long enough.. from what I remember they have to be a certain length.. dont know what that is, mind you.. but no matter which airline from Seattle to SNA or LB we have never been served a meal.. snacks yes.. we always eat before we go.. or take food onto the plane with us..

I do believe you can buy on some flights, but as I said we always do our own..

 

[lk2500]

we have never had a meal on Alaska to CA , I dont think the flights are long enough.. from what I remember they have to be a certain length.. dont know what that is, mind you.. but no matter which airline from Seattle to SNA or LB we have never been served a meal.. snacks yes.. we always eat before we go.. or take food onto the plane with us..

I do believe you can buy on some flights, but as I said we always do our own..

On our flights to Kansas City we've always had the option to purchase snacks like a very tasty cheese and fruit tray. Are you saying that snack trays are not even available for purchase or they ran out of the free meals?

 

[lk2500]

we go between LB. and SNA from Seattle.. using both Jetblue and Alaska.. never had any trouble with either..as stated about both airports are easy to Disneyland and Taxi stands very close to terminal. with a flat rate of $45. for a taxi. that being both sedan and van.. we are a party of 5. dont know about the rentals as we always go to the retnals on Katella. if we need one.. we stay at the worlmark and its right next door..

if you have younger kids make sure you ask the steward for wings.. my son is 10 and still gets them.. bought our tickets in late Dec and paid $138 return.. for April. I know it will depend on the month and day you travel , but currently those same tickets are going between $142 and $190 +

Hope you have a good trip.

Lol, my "children" are DS18 and DS21. I will still suggest they ask the steward for wings and see what kind of reaction I get, if any.

 

[Indiana Scott]

On our flights to Kansas City we've always had the option to purchase snacks like a very tasty cheese and fruit tray. Are you saying that snack trays are not even available for purchase or they ran out of the free meals?

Actually I was talking about dinner (not snack) flights and none of it was free. In one case they only had enough for 1/3 and in the next case they had enough for about 1/2. They didn't have snacks or anything else for the 100+ kids and adults that simply had to go without.
With an incredulous tone, the stewardess told me they're not going to take a chance at having to throw away meals.

 

[nikkislaght]

Lol, my "children" are DS18 and DS21. I will still suggest they ask the steward for wings and see what kind of reaction I get, if any.

lol, its like me with the Disney birthday buttons.. I still get one every trip.. my son however , just rolls his eyes at me.. he says its lying to celebrate your birthday at Disney when its not your birthday.. I tell him.. just because my "birth date" is in Dec.. doesnt mean I Cant celebrate it ALL year long.!! lol

 

[nikkislaght]

On our flights to Kansas City we've always had the option to purchase snacks like a very tasty cheese and fruit tray. Are you saying that snack trays are not even available for purchase or they ran out of the free meals?

I never said that they run out or didnt serve ,, that was someone else.. I said , they serve snacks and sell meals. but have never served a free meal to us in all the flights I have done from Seatac to LB or SNA .

 

[lk2500]

I never said that they run out or didnt serve ,, that was someone else.. I said , they serve snacks and sell meals. but have never served a free meal to us in all the flights I have done from Seatac to LB or SNA .

Right on, I was kinda replying to you and the previous poster an once without using multi-quote. If they run out of the cheese and fruit tray DS18 may storm the galley! We are spoiled because I will sometimes splurge for Main Cabin Select on Virgin America - where you get unlimited free food and movies. I think my kids ordered one of everything last flight.

I'm sure we'll be fine

 

[ADLFAN]

We usually fly Alaska from SEA to SNA and it's worked fine and been the most affordable option altogether, and we love the convenience of SNA'S size and location!

This next trip we got a better deal on Southwest with 2 free checked bags and slightly better times for arrival and departure, so we're going to try them.

I hadn't researched Virgin at all til I read this thread and WOW those are beautiful planes!! And I love the upgrade options with free food and entertainment! And the Mood Lighting is beautiful! I will seriously consider them for a future trip even though they only go to LAX. I may even splurge to first class!

Alaska just isn't as glamorous and it's pretty clear no upgrades have improved their aesthetics. There aren't TV'S at all, and the menu available is geared towards packaged stuff in snack boxes, not sandwiches and wraps. There are USB plugs at each seat, at least, so you can charge your own entertainment. You have to pay for Wifi. You pay 25.00 for each checked bag...

You definitely tempted me to investigate Virgin next time!

 

[MICKEYFIL]

I must be missing something here. We are talking about a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles, not Seattle to Hong Kong. Unlimited movies and unlimited food for a 2 1/2 hour trip seems a little odd. For me the biggest criteria comes down to efficiency of service, leg room, baggage and airport selection. I travel with two little kids, so all I want out of an airline on a short haul flight is the ability to get me from A to B in the best possible time.

I have traveled out of Seattle and Bellingham a few times to get down to DL and have found it easy with both Alaska and Jet Blue. Both had nice service and the leg room on Jet Blue was surprisingly large. If you check in within 24 hours of an Alaska flight you can upgrade to the front seats for $50 which includes larger seats, free luggage, food and drinks.