I'm flying from Charlotte in late August for a week. I've always flown into PFN in the past, but recently saw some good prices into Ft. Walton. Just wondering if one is easier than the other, travel distance, etc. I'm staying in the Seacrest area, and have usually appreciated how small PFN is and easy to get through with only a handful of gates/flights.
Replies
14
Beach Fanatic
Ft. Walton (VPS) is a little bit further - 10 min. - from SOWAL than PFN but I have found it to have cheaper fares also. Roughly same sizes with only one gate.
Moderator
Ft. Walton (VPS) is a little bit further - 10 min. - from SOWAL than PFN but I have found it to have cheaper fares also. Roughly same sizes with only one gate.
Huh? VPS is a 110,000 square foot facility with 6 gates (three with full jetways). Panama City has two gates...
Beach Fanatic
vehicle traffic is 200% easier from PFN! Depending upon when you fly into VPS, it could take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours to get to Sowal. PFN, otoh, is almost always no more than 45 minutes to Grayton.
SWGB
Huh? VPS is a 110,000 square foot facility with 6 gates (three with full jetways). Panama City has two gates...
Yeah, but those jetways are apparently for show only. I've never been on a flight out of VPS that I didn't have to walk across the tarmac.
SoWal Insider
I'm flying from Charlotte in late August for a week. I've always flown into PFN in the past, but recently saw some good prices into Ft. Walton. Just wondering if one is easier than the other, travel distance, etc. I'm staying in the Seacrest area, and have usually appreciated how small PFN is and easy to get through with only a handful of gates/flights.
What time and day of the week is the flight into VPS? It makes a big difference in traffic patterns.
.
Beach ComberAuthor
Flying in Saturday morning, and leaving on a Sunday morning.
Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the help!
Beach Fanatic
As long as you're south of the bay inbound by about 2:00pm and north of the bay outbound by about 10:00am, you shouldn't have much in the way of traffic issues.
Beach Fanatic
Plus in late August a lot of schools will be back in session so the traffic should be a lot lighter than it is now. (*crossing my fingers*)
Moderator
Yeah, but those jetways are apparently for show only. I've never been on a flight out of VPS that I didn't have to walk across the tarmac.
They won't fit anything smaller than a DC9 that I know of. Maybe the 90 seat regional jets, but certainly, nothing smaller than that. You've just missed using them by luck of the draw. When Delta is flying MD88's to VPS during the peak times, we use them as all of our aircraft have had the air stairs removed to save weight...
SoWal Insider
Flying in Saturday morning, and leaving on a Sunday morning.
Thanks for the help!
I'd suggest going with the lower-priced VPS during this time.
.
SoWal Insider
Flying in Saturday morning, and leaving on a Sunday morning.
Thanks for the help!
I'd suggest going with the lower-priced VPS during this time since you're not going to have the military/school traffic to contend with.
.
SoWal Expert
Yeah, but those jetways are apparently for show only. I've never been on a flight out of VPS that I didn't have to walk across the tarmac.
It depends where you are flying to/from - I've taken quite a few "non-tarmac" flights.
VPS is much nicer/better than PFN in my opinion. Drive from VPS is much more atrractive too.
Beach Lover
Ok, this is a great question. We are staying in Grayton beach and we were going to fly into PNS. Is there something that is closer ir easier to get to than that?
Beach Fanatic
both Panama City and Ft Walton are closer; sometimes Pensacola has a cheaper fare though. Just depends on where you are flying from...and other variables for your rate.
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.