What is the best way to travel to LA? (Philadelphia: coupons, buy)

[kmom]

Is there any other way to travel to LA? Is going to Newark and to LA the best way? Appreciate if you could advise on the shortest possible way

[toobusytoday]

Have you looked into taking Southwest Airlines from Philadelphia? Closer and usually cheaper then Newark. My daughter has flown to LAX from there a couple of times on Southwest. Best part about using Southwest is they do not charge for changes to your ticket. Southwest Airlines You need to go to their website directly, they don't show up if you use the regular search engines, like I mention next.

I usually go to a travel search engine like sidestep or orbitz and look at PHL, EWR and ABE airports to see what has the most convenient and cheapest flight and then look separately at Southwest.

[jimmyrocks]

I've flown to LAX from ABE a few times using united, and have gotten some good deals. But I'll fly out of Philly (Usually US Air) if it's cheaper. But I park near my sister's place, and have her drive me to the airport there, to cut down on parking costs. If you're going to have bags, Southwest is probably the cheapest way to go. (Us Air and United charge $15/bag now)

[jeffvivian]

If you are going to fly out of philly I always suggest the Park-n-rides to the airport...most of the time they are cheaper and way more convenient then long term airport parking.

Jeff

[kmom]

Thanks a heap

How long is the flight? Are there things to do on board. I have 2 young kids with me

[toobusytoday]

I think it's about a 6 hour flight. No,they won't have anything for your kids, you'll have to bring whatever you need to bring yourself. If they are old enough for gum, make sure you have that for take-off and landings or buy a water after you get through security so they will have something to drink.

I just remembered that you just flew here from Asia last fall, so you probably have a lot of long flight experience.

As far as parking at Philadelphia, we also always go for off site parking, usually at some place south of the airport. The last couple of times we've flown it's been around holidays so we made a reservation. I think we used fasttrack. Philadelphia Airport Parking Discount Coupons, Reservations and Long Term Airport Parking

[kmom]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

I think it's about a 6 hour flight. No,they won't have anything for your kids, you'll have to bring whatever you need to bring yourself. If they are old enough for gum, make sure you have that for take-off and landings or buy a water after you get through security so they will have something to drink.

I just remembered that you just flew here from Asia last fall, so you probably have a lot of long flight experience.

As far as parking at Philadelphia, we also always go for off site parking, usually at some place south of the airport. The last couple of times we've flown it's been around holidays so we made a reservation. I think we used fasttrack. Philadelphia Airport Parking Discount Coupons, Reservations and Long Term Airport Parking

toobusytodayyou have great memory. Yes, we arrive last fall after a 18-hours flight But there were lots of food, games, movies....in flight.

Is there such a thing as biz class for domestic flight?

[ichiroll]

I fly out of Newark and take a direct flight with Continental. I live in Williams Township so it is closer, faster, and an easier drive. The few times I flew out of Philadelphia I found the traffic conditions a little harder to judge.

And yes, there is a business class for domestic, but many times no first class (unlike international flights).

Flights to Asia are a pain. Hard to describe without actually experiencing it. I'm from Japan and my wife from China and have been travelling back and forth since we were young. We are 20 year veterans LOL.

[toobusytoday]

We flew to China last April to visit our daughter, who was teaching there. I kind of liked that the flights were overnight - didn't seem quite so long, food was not bad. On a whim, I decided to choose a seafood diet as an option for two of us thinking that we would get shrimp and scallops but didn't realize that they considered tuna fish a seafood! Lesson learned.

We used to live within 20 minutes of the Philadelphia airport so I know that area pretty well. It's Newark that's usually my second choice, but if there's a good savings I'll certainly go there. The very best choice, of course, is Allentown and we will pick that one if it's only $25 or $30 more just for the convenience of it.

I don't think Southwest airlines has different classes.

[kmom]

Thanks for all the advice

Anyone use US Air? How is it like? I was told from Philly to LA is just 4 hrs?