SAN vs. SNA
 

I'm about to book an award ticket, and I will be flying out of one of these 2 cities back to BDL. I've flown in/out of SAN before, and it's okay. How is SNA? Any problems, concerns? I'll be using American. Just want to know if there are any tips! Thanks.

SNA (John Wayne) is small, 14 gates. Good thing about it, getting through security is quick. Bad thing, it's tiny (limiting your flight options) and no flights depart after 10:00 or so in the evening and land before about 7:00 in the morning (noise ordinances). Plenty of reasonable places to park within a sub-10 minute walk, if you even wanted to do that. I literally work across the street and do it all the time.

Cheers,

Adrian

I second flying out of SNA. Nice experience without the crowds.

I usually compare SNA with LAX, and the former is a much more manageable airport to get in and out of. Also, it's a hell of a lot more convenient if you are going to be around Orange County - like Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach

Both airports have an AC, so you're OK there. Eagle does fly out of the Commuter terminal at SAN, but that should not be a consideration for your itinerary.

SNA is small but awesome. What kind of tips are you looking for?

There are times when the security wait at SNA has been rather long (locals could comment more re); if you don't have status to get in the Elite line I'd definitely let us know what time of day you're flying so folks can tell you what their experiences with security have been at that time of day.

I live in SAN and I think that SNA is a nicer airport, better- closer parking, cleaner ticketing area etc. The only advantage to SAN is more flights (and it is closer for me)

I've been in long lines there leaving early in the a.m. on a weekday, haven't noticed a long line at other times.

One nice thing about SNA is that there are non-stops on AA from SFO (providing another potential routing should that be an issue), and there are none from SFO-SAN. I'd go with SNA, its a good little airport as others have suggested.

Security lines at SNA can occasionally be long, but there are two security checkpoints and they're usually assymetrical. From the upper departure area there's a balcony where you can look down and see the statue of John Wayne, that's about 1/2 way between the lines. You should be able to see the end of each line to judge the shortest. You can clear security at either checkpoint since once you're airside you can access any gate.

Yet another fan of SNA for its small size, good freeway access and convenient location. However, the 10pm curfew on landing means that if your flight is seriously delayed, you may be diverted to LAX. Still, this has only happened to me once out of at least 40 inbound flights.

Well, technically it has 20 gates (14 jetbridges and 6 commuter gates).

I would pick my airport based on which I'm closest to.

SNA is a very nice small airport. The security lines can get long in the morning. Don't listen to the ID checker... once you're past, choose the WTMD line of your choice. Just note, the far left lines of the AA et al checkpoint start way in, so don't be deceived by appearances. Using the elite access, it's never taken me more than 10 minutes to clear. Oh, and food choices are somewhat limited at SNA.

Ditto this: I've noticed very long lines in the early mornings, but I've breezed through at every other time of day.

I think it's a very easy and nice airport to fly in and out of.