East Coaster Flying West!

[merry68]

I fly out of Pittsburgh, PA and my flight would connect and I want to fly into SNA to go to Disneyland..

So where do the East Coasters connect thru= Chicago? Dallas? Phoenix? Denver? Atlanta? OR ?????

Curious to hear how others have dealt with connecting flights as it's been a long time since I've done a connecting flight, and yes I count my blessings that I can fly Pit to MCO in 2hrs nonstop for WDW trips.

My ultimate DL trip had to be postponed because of my mother's health (instead of DL last week I was at home dealing with her declining health),, so now I am rethinking the finer points of my Westward trip.. I am DETERMINED to get to DL in the coming months!!

Any advice of airports to avoid??

 

[tare]

I'm in wisconsin and we always fly delta or suncountry to wdw nonstop on both and to dl we fly delta nonstop into sna or lax. I am so happy these airlines offer nonstop. I would not want to deal with connections. Good luck.

 

[Rufus T Firefly]

I've always had good luck flying American airlines and connecting in Dallas.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I checked random dates and Southwest might have a flight on the way down with no plane change, but not on the way back. If you have a choice and feel like looking it up, I would connect at the smallest airport possible to change planes. We changed in Midway one time and we had to cross the whole airport in like negative five minutes to get on our flight.

Good luck!

 

[Zman-ks]

I've always had good luck flying American airlines and connecting in Dallas.

Same here.

 

[journ116]

We're in the same boat, "flying east coast to west coast." However, I'm looking into SWA out of BWI into SNA; definitely staying away from PHL and LAX; if we're lucky, perhaps flying out of MDT. I do not mind the 1-stop service, especially because we'll have littler ones in tow (the layover will give them a break to run around anyways).

And, not to hijack your thread, but I posted a similar "airport" inquiry not too long ago (and I'm sure I'm not the first to do so)...here's what it has produced, and it's helped me out enormously:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/better-airport-to-fly-into-for-dlr-trip.868748/

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I'm not an east coaster, from the midwest (fly out of Minneapolis), and I've had a non-stop to LAX but when I flew in to SNA I had a layover in Salt Lake City. Both flights were Delta. Salt Lake was a nice airport. On flights else where I have had layovers in Dallas and Atlanta. Atlanta was a nightmare, and Dallas one time was okay and another was bad there were thunderstorms so our flight was delayed and delayed.....

 

[merry68]

Thanks everyone.. I haven't flown thru Dallas and wasn't sure how American was. They have decent times and rates and I looked at USAir, but I am not seeing as many options as American.

I know to avoid LAX,, I flew there about 30yrs ago, the last time I was at Disneyland and that was fine, but then at that time, flying was a luxury, or at least it seemed like to me because I was a teenager and was impressed with the service, and we were able to run around coach as I was with a huge youth group. LOLOL!

I have heard nightmares about Hotlanta and also Chicago.

decisions ..... decisions...

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

YAY! Another Pittsburgher! I remember like it was yesterday when I flew out to Palm Springs for easter break week (was really in 2005). Anyhow, when we flew there we used US Airways since my mom's a silver perferred member and were able to use frequent flyer miles. We went from PIT connecting in PHX and then to Palm Springs airport. From PIT to PHX is about a good 4.5 hrs and from PHX to P.S. was about 45 min if I recall. PHX is a US Air hub airport, so it does get a decent amount of traffic. Same goes with Denver, although at Denver Airport it's waay busier. Ewww to Atlanta and Chicago, had bad experiences at both. Haven't been at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport but heard good reviews about it. So my recommendation would be if you can, fly into PHX and from there fly into SNA. Although it seems you're leaning Southwest and Dallas so good luck.
(BTW, can't seem to find any PIT to MCO flights anymore, seems to generally show flights connecting through PHL or CLT).
Hope this helps.

 

[teacherlady19]

Southwest has few non-stop flights to/from anywhere, but if you can get one, grab it. Otherwise, a 1-stop (without change) isn't too bad. I'd fly into John Wayne if it were me, and avoid LAX. (I flew through there once. No thanks on a repeat, if I can help it!)

We've had really good service/luck with Southwest. I dislike the new option of paying another $12 for an A-boarding pass (first onto the plane). For those with kids, particularly those with babies, I feel badly for them that they have to go on between the A-boarders (first 30 people) and the B-boarders (second 30), because they take longer to get settled and have to block the aisle a lot. But SWA is almost always on time unless there's an airport problem.


Donna

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Flew nonstop BWI to LAX on Southwest. It was great!

Since our return trip was based in Honolulu we flew United to Denver and then connected back to BWI. Denver is a nice airport, not too crowded, pretty easy to figure out.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Southwest has few non-stop flights to/from anywhere, but if you can get one, grab it. Otherwise, a 1-stop (without change) isn't too bad. I'd fly into John Wayne if it were me, and avoid LAX. (I flew through there once. No thanks on a repeat, if I can help it!)

We've had really good service/luck with Southwest. I dislike the new option of paying another $12 for an A-boarding pass (first onto the plane). For those with kids, particularly those with babies, I feel badly for them that they have to go on between the A-boarders (first 30 people) and the B-boarders (second 30), because they take longer to get settled and have to block the aisle a lot. But SWA is almost always on time unless there's an airport problem.


Donna

Why do you feel bad for the family boarding people? I think it's awesome. Since Southwest only has 737's, the planes are all big enough that you can still seat your family together even after the A group gets on. As a free perk, I think it works great.

 

[merry68]

YAY! Another Pittsburgher! I remember like it was yesterday when I flew out to Palm Springs for easter break week (was really in 2005). Anyhow, when we flew there we used US Airways since my mom's a silver perferred member and were able to use frequent flyer miles. We went from PIT connecting in PHX and then to Palm Springs airport. From PIT to PHX is about a good 4.5 hrs and from PHX to P.S. was about 45 min if I recall. PHX is a US Air hub airport, so it does get a decent amount of traffic. Same goes with Denver, although at Denver Airport it's waay busier. Ewww to Atlanta and Chicago, had bad experiences at both. Haven't been at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport but heard good reviews about it. So my recommendation would be if you can, fly into PHX and from there fly into SNA. Although it seems you're leaning Southwest and Dallas so good luck.
(BTW, can't seem to find any PIT to MCO flights anymore, seems to generally show flights connecting through PHL or CLT).
Hope this helps.

The PIT to MCO flights are done by SW and AirTran.. in fact we have nonstop trips booked thru AT as I do not care for SW. They offer both nonstop and 1 stop flights, so it is an option to look into. I will not go thru Philly- it's just a hangup I have because I grew up in Western PA (Pittsburgh dad, Steeler, Pens, Pirates strong!)

I can't get decent USAir flights for the dates we are looking at, so I am leaning towards AA. Or I may continue to push my trip back a bit... sigh.... decisions!
LOL!

 

[merry68]

Southwest has few non-stop flights to/from anywhere, but if you can get one, grab it. Otherwise, a 1-stop (without change) isn't too bad. I'd fly into John Wayne if it were me, and avoid LAX. (I flew through there once. No thanks on a repeat, if I can help it!)

We've had really good service/luck with Southwest. I dislike the new option of paying another $12 for an A-boarding pass (first onto the plane). For those with kids, particularly those with babies, I feel badly for them that they have to go on between the A-boarders (first 30 people) and the B-boarders (second 30), because they take longer to get settled and have to block the aisle a lot. But SWA is almost always on time unless there's an airport problem.


Donna

Personally I do not like SW.. when we flew SW the first time, it was my worst flight ever, and I have flown some pretty scary European airlines. First experience kinda set the tone for us to avoid SW. Unfortunately we will be probably be forced to use them to get to/from WDW if they continue nonstop service from my airport.

I am glad SW works for many, it is just not our first choice.

I wish Disney had their own exclusive airline, wouldn't that be something.. the magical express of the skies! LOLOL!! I guess I dream differently. LOL!