How is the John Wayne Airport? (deal, traveling, direct)

[urbancuriosity]

This is an old thread but since someone else revived it, I'll chime in. :-) I usually prefer John Wayne even if it means a connecting flight. There are, however, some drawbacks. One drawback to John Wayne are the takeoff & landing curfews. I forget the details, but it's something like no landings after 11pm and no takeoffs before 7am. I have been diverted to LAX multiple times because of a late takeoff at a connecting airport. The short runway limits the takeoff weight as well. Also, airport capacity is limited by law if I recall correctly both by numbers of slots as well as total passengers. So while I prefer John Wayne over LAX even if it means making a connection, the drawback is that you have to make a connection.

The airport overall is nice and easy. However, when I make my next move, I will definitely pay more attention to the airport. John Wayne's limitations annoy me.

[timtemtym]

Originally Posted by urbancuriosity

This is an old thread but since someone else revived it, I'll chime in. :-) I usually prefer John Wayne even if it means a connecting flight. There are, however, some drawbacks. One drawback to John Wayne are the takeoff & landing curfews. I forget the details, but it's something like no landings after 11pm and no takeoffs before 7am. I have been diverted to LAX multiple times because of a late takeoff at a connecting airport.

What happens when they divert you to LAX? Do they provide a shuttle? We've used SNA a few times, but never late enough to be diverted. I would worry since we like to park our car at the airport when we fly and the parking there is so convenient. Are you just on your own to get back to OC?

[saibot]

I love John Wayne and have never been diverted to another airport...never had bad experiences like the ones we've had at LAX; e.g. circling around the airport six times before being able to land; all the gates full so we wait on the tarmac for 45 minutes before deplaning; afternoon flight canceled until the next day and we're left on our own to find a place to stay overnight, etc.

We just flew out of John Wayne in July and the experience was so easy and perfect, EXCEPT that the long-term parking was closed, as we found out when we tried to park there. I didn't even think to check that beforehand. Of course it was easy enough to park in the parking lots next to the terminal, but a lot more expensive. That's probably the "worst" thing that's ever happened to me at John Wayne.

[dcfas]

My first time to California was to this airport. I remember thinking, wow, this is a nice place. I was also impressed by the statue of the Duke, himself.

[urbancuriosity]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

What happens when they divert you to LAX? Do they provide a shuttle? We've used SNA a few times, but never late enough to be diverted. I would worry since we like to park our car at the airport when we fly and the parking there is so convenient. Are you just on your own to get back to OC?

Each of the times I was diverted they sent me to LAX. The airline provided a shuttle back to Orange County. You have to wait for all the passengers to claim their luggage and board the bus back to John Wayne Airport.

It was very annoying.

[Gaylord_Focker]

It's the best.

[Chava61]

Every time I have flown in or out of SNA, the experience has been good.

[ccm123]

Probably the best airport in Southern California. The only thing I dislike is the departing aircraft
need to fly by noise abatement rules.

https://www.ocair.com/business/gener...ise-abatement/

[urbancuriosity]

Orange County would benefit from an airport with full-size runways that's served by mass-transit. Unfortunately, neither are likely. It all depends on who lobbies harder. Years ago, there was lobbying to try to get John Wayne restricted if not closed with a new airport being built at the old El Toro Marine Base. There was lobbying in the other direction to not build a new airport. Those lobbyists succeeded and John Wayne remains open. It's a nice looking airport that's fun to be in, but woefully underpowered for the area. We now have a single 5701 foot runway serving a population that continues to grow. There was a light rail link proposed as well that failed as well due to the "it will bring more crime to our neighborhoods crowd." Yeah...I am crying over spilled milk. :-)

[sacreole]

When flying down to So Cal for business or pleasure, I generally avoid LAX and use the suburban area airports such as John Wayne (SNA), Ontario (ONT), Long Beach (LGB) and Burbank (BUR). I flew in and out of John Wayne on a recent visit to Laguna Beach this summer. My only compliant is the lack of decent public transit connections to the airport. OCTA doesn't provide the best service to the airport. I would have been open to taking transit to and from Laguna Beach if it wasn't for having to change buses twice. I ended up taking Lyft to and from my hotel. But other than that, John Wayne is very a convenient and pleasant airport to use.