John Wayne Ranked Best Large Airport

[Phroobar]

It was the early 90s and it was cute.

Hmm. Same haircut.

 

[Stevek]

John Wayne is a lot of fun during take offs and landings. In order to reduce jet noise, the pilot has to do a fairly dangerous but routine take off and landing by taking off straight up before turning around over the ocean. During landings, they have to noise dive in to the runway at a really steep angle.

I believe they only have to nose dive when they are coming in from the ocean. Most of what they come in over during normal landings is industrial/office. I play golf most Thursday nights at a course right at the end of the runway...it's crazy loud during takeoffs.

 

[TP2000]

I believe they only have to nose dive when they are coming in from the ocean. Most of what they come in over during normal landings is industrial/office. I play golf most Thursday nights at a course right at the end of the runway...it's crazy loud during takeoffs.

I'm in Villa Park 10 miles north of the runway, and the planes have normal approach routes over the residential areas of central OC, then the last couple miles of approach are over office/industrial parks of Tustin and Irvine so it's not an issue. You rarely hear a plane because jets are so quiet and clean in the 21st century.

Kids today have no idea of the deafening roar and plumes of black smoke that used to scream out of the old jet engines of a 707 or DC-8 back in the 1960's and 70's, so that helps to not be bothered by a whisper quiet 737 gliding overhead occasionally. Many older adults have forgotten how noisy and dirty jets were 40 years ago.

1960's Jet Travel - The Stewardesses were lovely, but the sound and smoke pollution was not.

 

[Phroobar]

1960's Jet Travel - The Stewardesses were lovely, but the sound and smoke pollution was not.

Now it is the other way around.

 

[Stevek]

I'm in Villa Park 10 miles north of the runway, and the planes have normal approach routes over the residential areas of central OC, then the last couple miles of approach are over office/industrial parks of Tustin and Irvine so it's not an issue. You rarely hear a plane because jets are so quiet and clean in the 21st century.

Kids today have no idea of the deafening roar and plumes of black smoke that used to scream out of the old jet engines of a 707 or DC-8 back in the 1960's and 70's, so that helps to not be bothered by a whisper quiet 737 gliding overhead occasionally. Many older adults have forgotten how noisy and dirty jets were 40 years ago.

1960's Jet Travel - The Stewardesses were lovely, but the sound and smoke pollution was not.

We hear the planes daily coming over Corona and into JW. Not loud, but noticeable.

 

[TP2000]

We hear the planes daily coming over Corona and into JW. Not loud, but noticeable.

If you can hear them out in Corona in 2017, your windows would rattle if a circa 1970 Boeing 707 or 727 flew over. I can hear them in Villa Park, but I look up and marvel at the whispery nuance of modern jetliners. And not a trace of smoke coming out of those mighty quiet engines, either. We've come a very long way!

Now, if American industry could get back to the drawing board on a new supersonic jetliner that was so promising back in 1965.

 

[Practical Pig]

Now, if American industry could get back to the drawing board on a new supersonic jetliner that was so promising back in 1965.

BOOM!

https://www.livescience.com/58989-boom-supersonic-passenger-jet.html

 

[Practical Pig]

 

[TP2000]

The OC Register has an interesting article today about how John Wayne Airport got to be the top rated large airport in America.
http://www.ocregister.com/2017/10/02/how-john-wayne-airport-scored-a-no-1-ranking/

Some interesting quotes, as apparently John Wayne's management took a Disney-like approach of focusing on the little details that matter most...
“It’s an airport that does everything well,” says Taylor, who heads up J.D. Power’s airport research.

Passengers first want an airport that’s both clean and in good condition, Taylor says. The ability to get to and from the airport is also key. John Wayne Airport excels in both categories, he says.

It can be subtle things, too. JWA has trimmed the number of video screens to reduce visual pollution and limited public address announcements — number and volume — “so you’re not constantly blasted,” Taylor says.

But what John Wayne does really well, is “what separates the men from the boys” — food, says Taylor. He likes the mix of local fare and eclectic offerings that give passengers dining at John Wayne options well above typical airport food: from well-known local concepts, Ruby’s Diner and Zov’s, to eateries with local themes such as the Anaheim Ducks and Hobie’s to a new Belgian Beer Garden.

John Wayne officials credit the high ranking to almost two years of work to improve the passenger’s experience. The effort included everything from discussions with Transportation Security Administration representatives to baggage handlers to ease the travelers’ comings and goings to cosmetic upgrades including fresh paint and carpet to refurbished bathrooms to a new nursing lounge for mothers.

“We want to treat everyone like guests,” says airport spokeswoman Deanne Thompson.

I think all that work has certainly paid off. John Wayne has been a convenient and easy airport for a long time now, but their focus on the little details has really elevated the entire experience. I'm sure The Duke is very proud to look down on this fabulous airport that bears his name.

 

[Travel Junkie]

I don't usually eat at an airport, but everything else in that article is dead on. One of its advantages also prevents it from becoming larger. Its location and current size make it easy to get in and out of. The problem is that due to its size and location it has limited flight availability and can't expand. I wish I could fly out of it more, but unfortunately it doesn't fly to may of the places i want to go or requires multiple layovers.

 

[TP2000]

I don't usually eat at an airport, but everything else in that article is dead on. One of its advantages also prevents it from becoming larger. Its location and current size make it easy to get in and out of. The problem is that due to its size and location it has limited flight availability and can't expand. I wish I could fly out of it more, but unfortunately it doesn't fly to may of the places i want to go or requires multiple layovers.

True. I use John Wayne for easy travel up and down the west coast, as it has multiple daily options for non-stops to San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. Only a couple of flights per day leave John Wayne for Chicago or New York, however.

And for overseas travel you are forced to use LAX. Although Japan Airlines and British Airways have expanded their non-stop offerings out of San Diego now with Boeing's 787, so that gives folks in Orange County a few new options to get overseas to Europe or Japan.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

I'm in Villa Park 10 miles north of the runway, and the planes have normal approach routes over the residential areas of central OC, then the last couple miles of approach are over office/industrial parks of Tustin and Irvine so it's not an issue. You rarely hear a plane because jets are so quiet and clean in the 21st century.

Kids today have no idea of the deafening roar and plumes of black smoke that used to scream out of the old jet engines of a 707 or DC-8 back in the 1960's and 70's, so that helps to not be bothered by a whisper quiet 737 gliding overhead occasionally. Many older adults have forgotten how noisy and dirty jets were 40 years ago.

1960's Jet Travel - The Stewardesses were lovely, but the sound and smoke pollution was not.

Remember inflight smoking? Crazy to think that passengers could smoke while flying on commercial jets.

 

[Figments Friend]

Big fan of SNA.
Love it.
Makes for a wonderful, relaxing arrival experience to start off your visit.
LAX is the absolute opposite.

I love Long Beach too...the 'little shack' where you can feel like The Beatles walking on and off the airplanes directly from the tarmac.


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[Texas84]

Remember inflight smoking? Crazy to think that passengers could smoke while flying on commercial jets.

I remember the smoking sections. Thought it was silly since the smoke just drifted into the non-smoking section. And if you were right on the border row you really got to enjoy the smoke.