Better Airport to fly into for DLR trip?

[journ116]

O.K. all you DL or West Coast travelers: which airport do you prefer to fly into and why? I am in the midst of planning my family's first trip to DLR and I just saw that SWA is having an airfare sale. We will be flying out of BWI and my mother (who has visited SoCal several times), said that if we can swing it, fly into SNA...however, there are no lower fares available for the day we'll be arriving

Sooo, what are your feelings on: LAX, BUR, SNA, and ONT?

I am very much looking forward to any tips and suggestions!

 

[englanddg]

O.K. all you DL or West Coast travelers: which airport do you prefer to fly into and why? I am in the midst of planning my family's first trip to DLR and I just saw that SWA is having an airfare sale. We will be flying out of BWI and my mother (who has visited SoCal several times), said that if we can swing it, fly into SNA...however, there are no lower fares available for the day we'll be arriving

Sooo, what are your feelings on: LAX, BUR, SNA, and ONT?

I am very much looking forward to any tips and suggestions!

SNA (John Wayne) hands down. It's small, it's clean and it's just nice.

I'd do anything to avoid LAX, but I hate LAX with an unreasonable passion (meaning, I really don't care to go into all the different poor experiences I've had there...lets just stick with dirty and crowded and leave it at that)...

 

[Californian Elitist]

John Wayne or Burbank.

 

[Travel Junkie]

SNA (John Wayne) is the closest and really easy to get in and out of. LAX is a behemoth and is crowded at all hours of day, every day of the year, but usually does have the lowest rates. Burbank is nice, but the furthest away from DLR of those you mentioned. You may also look at Long Beach which is nice and close to DLR but SWA doesn't service them. Jet Blue flies out of Long Beach, so you may look at them too.

 

[NemoRocks78]

SNA is the nicest, closest, and easiest to deal with. LAX is your next best option. I've had problems there, but I don't haaaaate the place, and it's often the cheapest place to go in/out of (though I've had amazing deals through SNA as well). I'd say LGB is also a possibility if the price is right. I wouldn't even bother with ONT and BUR due to distance and such.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I recently flew from BWI to LAX. Don't go to LAX. it's horendous. My aunt loves John Wayne. I've never been there, but she's usually right.

 

[TP2000]

LAX is the worst choice you could make for your vacation. It is dirty, decaying, crowded, rude, badly maintained, dingy, depressing and disgusting. Calcutta in the monsoon season is nicer than LAX on a good day. Save your vacation, and avoid LAX.

John Wayne (SNA) is the anti-LAX. Clean, new, modern, spacious yet compact, friendly, stylish, easy and accommodating. You pay a bit more for most flights into John Wayne, because it's so fresh and fun and nice. But it's worth it. And if you've found a good fare using John Wayne, grab it and don't look back. It's also about a 20 minute drive to Disneyland from John Wayne baggage claim. Super easy, super fast. Orange County simply trumps Los Angeles County, and their airports prove it.

And for gosh sakes, the airport is named after... John Wayne! With a giant bronze statue of the Duke right near the Hertz counter. How can you not love that?!?

Long Beach Airport is a close second, with a ultra-hip new terminal and very convenient layout. It's about 25 minutes from the Disneyland Hotel door to door. But Long Beach is primarily used as JetBlue's major West Coast hub, with a few Alaska, American or United flights thrown in. If JetBlue doesn't fly out of your city, it's probably not worth it to use Long Beach.

Burbank Bob Hope or Ontario airports are decent backup choices. FUN FACT: About five years ago the Ontario city council considered renaming their Inland Empire airport "Walt Disney International" in an attempt to steal some of the Disneyland tourist traffic from LAX and John Wayne. The locals protested as there was no evidence that Walt had ever visited Ontario, and the Orange County airport authority also lodged a complaint, and the idea was quietly shelved.

But whatever you do, if you value your sanity and your health and your vacation time, do NOT book a flight into or out of LAX. It's the worst airport in America, if not the entire Free World. LAX is probably a tad nicer than the airport in Pyongyang, North Korea if only because the passport control officers are slightly more humane at LAX and the duty free shops at LAX carry Jack Daniels, but that's about all it has going for it over Pyongyang. And I'm only slightly exaggerating.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

LAX is the worst choice you could make for your vacation. It is dirty, decaying, crowded, rude, badly maintained, dingy, depressing and disgusting. Calcutta in the monsoon season is nicer than LAX on a good day. Save your vacation, and avoid LAX.

John Wayne (SNA) is the anti-LAX. Clean, new, modern, spacious yet compact, friendly, stylish, easy and accommodating. You pay a bit more for most flights into John Wayne, because it's so fresh and fun and nice. But it's worth it. And if you've found a good fare using John Wayne, grab it and don't look back. It's also about a 20 minute drive to Disneyland from John Wayne baggage claim. Super easy, super fast. Orange County simply trumps Los Angeles County, and their airports prove it.

And for gosh sakes, the airport is named after... John Wayne! With a giant bronze statue of the Duke right near the Hertz counter. How can you not love that?!?

Long Beach Airport is a close second, with a ultra-hip new terminal and very convenient layout. It's about 25 minutes from the Disneyland Hotel door to door. But Long Beach is primarily used as JetBlue's major West Coast hub, with a few Alaska, American or United flights thrown in. If JetBlue doesn't fly out of your city, it's probably not worth it to use Long Beach.

Burbank Bob Hope or Ontario airports are decent backup choices. FUN FACT: About five years ago the Ontario city council considered renaming their Inland Empire airport "Walt Disney International" in an attempt to steal some of the Disneyland tourist traffic from LAX and John Wayne. The locals protested as there was no evidence that Walt had ever visited Ontario, and the Orange County airport authority also lodged a complaint, and the idea was quietly shelved.

But whatever you do, if you value your sanity and your health and your vacation time, do NOT book a flight into or out of LAX. It's the worst airport in America, if not the entire Free World. LAX is probably a tad nicer than the airport in Pyongyang, North Korea if only because the passport control officers are slightly more humane at LAX and the duty free shops at LAX carry Jack Daniels, but that's about all it has going for it over Pyongyang. And I'm only slightly exaggerating.

He's not exaggerating about LAX. At all. You don't want to go there.

 

[Californian Elitist]

LAX is getting a very much needed makeover. I'll be happy when it's completed because it's in a sad state right now.

 

[lego606]

LAX is getting a very much needed makeover. I'll be happy when it's completed because it's in a sad state right now.

Augh, I made the bad decision to fly there.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Augh, I made the bad decision to fly there.

You'll be fine, don't sweat it.

 

[TuffyCatt]

Augh, I made the bad decision to fly there.

Yeah, we're going to be flying into there too in a couple weeks. The vehement hatred show here makes me nervous and sad...we didn't know any better!

 

[flynnibus]

this is just a relative choice... all things considered.. I'd pick any of them based on big $$ differences. But given the choice.. John Wayne is the preferable one. Modest size, fresh, and a reasonable drive to DLR - even taxi'able for about $40.

Long Beach used to be awesome for the throwback to the way flying used to be.. but they've just finished a new terminal that alters that a bit.

 

[NemoRocks78]

Seriously, what is so bad about LAX? Yeah, I've had issues there (airline related vs. the actual airport, though), but what is so gosh darn awful about the place? I've never waited long for security, off-site parking is simple, etc. The biggest issue is usually getting there because of traffic, but where the heck isn't there stupid traffic in SoCal? The interior isn't SNA - it is old - but right now it's not much different than places like SAN, and it is getting a makeover (like raven24 said). It seems like hating LAX is the cool thing to do.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Seriously, what is so bad about LAX? Yeah, I've had issues there (airline related vs. the actual airport, though), but what is so gosh darn awful about the place? I've never waited long for security, off-site parking is simple, etc. The biggest issue is usually getting there because of traffic, but where the heck isn't there stupid traffic in SoCal? The interior isn't SNA - it is old - but right now it's not much different than places like SAN, and it is getting a makeover (like raven24 said). It seems like hating LAX is the cool thing to do.

Traffic is the main reason why LAX isn't my favorite. Compared to other terminals I've been to, it isn't in the greatest shape. It certainly isn't terrible.

 

[TuffyCatt]

Seriously, what is so bad about LAX? Yeah, I've had issues there (airline related vs. the actual airport, though), but what is so gosh darn awful about the place? I've never waited long for security, off-site parking is simple, etc. The biggest issue is usually getting there because of traffic, but where the heck isn't there stupid traffic in SoCal? The interior isn't SNA - it is old - but right now it's not much different than places like SAN, and it is getting a makeover (like raven24 said). It seems like hating LAX is the cool thing to do.

Ok, I feel a bit better now. We'll just make sure to leave plenty of time on the day we leave to account for traffic.

 

[flynnibus]

Seriously, what is so bad about LAX? Yeah, I've had issues there (airline related vs. the actual airport, though), but what is so gosh darn awful about the place? I've never waited long for security, off-site parking is simple, etc. The biggest issue is usually getting there because of traffic, but where the heck isn't there stupid traffic in SoCal? The interior isn't SNA - it is old - but right now it's not much different than places like SAN, and it is getting a makeover (like raven24 said). It seems like hating LAX is the cool thing to do.

Hrm.. reasons I hate LAX...

The ancient interior...
The reeking of jet fumes into the terminal where I was sitting..
Nothing enjoyable for me in the food/service offerings..
Generally depressing visuals..
The kick in the chest of smog when I got off the plane..

Compare to say.. OHare.. where at least they have food I liked and found interesting to offset the massive amount of walking involved.

I've traveled all over the US and a dozen or so internationals.. and LAX is a complete letdown for the city.

 

[journ116]

Well, I've been leaning toward SNA over the other surrounding airports...if the price difference is $40 or less, I'll choose SNA. Keeping our options open, but I am beyond grateful for EVERYONE's insight, suggestions, and experiences!

SIDE NOTE: It's funny, I've always glamorized LAX specifically due to the amount of celebrities who travel thru there...I figured, if the airport is good enough for them, it's sure as heck good for me...I guess I "forgot" that "they" get special treatment.

 

[lego606]

Hrm.. reasons I hate LAX...

The ancient interior...
The reeking of jet fumes into the terminal where I was sitting..
Nothing enjoyable for me in the food/service offerings..
Generally depressing visuals..
The kick in the chest of smog when I got off the plane..

Compare to say.. OHare.. where at least they have food I liked and found interesting to offset the massive amount of walking involved.

I've traveled all over the US and a dozen or so internationals.. and LAX is a complete letdown for the city.

You sure you weren't at JFK?

 

[NemoRocks78]

Hrm.. reasons I hate LAX...

The ancient interior...
The reeking of jet fumes into the terminal where I was sitting..
Nothing enjoyable for me in the food/service offerings..
Generally depressing visuals..
The kick in the chest of smog when I got off the plane..

Compare to say.. OHare.. where at least they have food I liked and found interesting to offset the massive amount of walking involved.

I've traveled all over the US and a dozen or so internationals.. and LAX is a complete letdown for the city.

Sounds like everything that has to be dealt with (besides the smog) in many U.S. airports to me. *shrug* Sure, there are plenty better inside and out than LAX, but I don't consider it to be the worst place in the world (that title goes to all of the roads in SoCal).