NWA/Laurel airport

[onlyme]

I am looking for a reasonably priced (ha!) flight from MS to Germany in March and found one with NWA. I have never flown NWA and know nothing about Laurel airport. According to the schedule I would have 1 hr in Memphis which should be plenty of time IF the flight is on schedule. Does anyone have any experience with that flight? Is it usually on time? How is NWA? I know that they had major problems a while ago but have not heard anything in the last few months. $505.00 compared to $800.00 and up from Jackson or Gulfport with other airlines make NWA look really good.....

[LipsofanAngel]

hmmm It's been a year since my one experience flying from Laurel. It was NOT good either. I personally will pay the extra money when I need to fly again and fly from New Orleans or Jackson. And what time is that flight? On the way home, we had to stop in Memphis from Detroit... weather was bad there and they were not going to fly from Memphis until the next day. BUT, the next day all the flights were already booked. We were going to have to stay in Memphis for 2 days until NWA would get us on another flight... AND they would not pay for a hotel room. So, about 6 of us that were stuck there (strangers) agreed and found a rental minivan and drove ourselves home in a storm at 2am. Our luggage ended up God knows where for 2 days as well. They finally got it back in MS so then I had to make another drive back up to Laurel to get my things.

[dream member]

My mom used to work for NWA. I like them, but I'm surprised you found them to be the lowest...they are usually one of the priciest. KLM is their international affiliate...you flying them or someone else? I've heard of laurel having an airport...never have seen it though. They have friendly service...they still fly the old school McDonnell Douglas jets though...whereas others are going to Boeing now. Where did you find your rates? They're usually on time. Memphis is one of NWA's hubs...I usually fly into Gulfport and I love Airtan...they're new 727s

[fuzzis]

Flying out of PBA is usually not a problem. In my experience, it's flying back into PBA that can be a problem. I've not had a problem flying NWA, although the ride on those puddle-jumpers can be rough.

If you can get a comparable flight out of (and into) Gulfport, Jackson, New Orleans...Mobile...that's what I would do. For $300, though, I'd think hard about taking my chances on getting stranded in Memphis coming home.

[virgo]

I actually prefer to fly out of Laurel/Hattiesburg because there is never a big line at security, you can park for free and it's only an hour or so to Memphis. I don't care to have any connecting flights in Memphis, but that's NWA's hub, so I have to deal.

I would be a little concerned about the one hour layover, because where you will need to be to catch that international jet is going to be on a different concourse.

The planes to Memphis are bigger than they used to be. (I was on a 12 seater once. Very scary.) And I have not had any more problems with NWA than I have any other airline. And the times I have had problems, it was coming back.

I'd grab that airfare if I were you. Its very convenient to fly locally than having to drive.

[dream member]

A 1 hr layover isn't really a lot of time...I got stuck in Memphis overnight once and it was ONLY because we were standby and the had 3 seats left. There were 5 of us.

[LipsofanAngel]

I do think if it's that much cheaper, maybe you could take your chances flying from there. Maybe you wouldn't have the probs like I had. I just like flying out of Jackson because of friends up there that let me leave my car at their house & they just drive me to the airport. And if it's an early flight, I just stay the night before at their house so I don't have to get up super duper early.

[dream member]

I actually prefer to fly out of Laurel/Hattiesburg because there is never a big line at security, you can park for free and it's only an hour or so to Memphis. I don't care to have any connecting flights in Memphis, but that's NWA's hub, so I have to deal.

I would be a little concerned about the one hour layover, because where you will need to be to catch that international jet is going to be on a different concourse.

The planes to Memphis are bigger than they used to be. (I was on a 12 seater once. Very scary.) And I have not had any more problems with NWA than I have any other airline. And the times I have had problems, it was coming back.

I'd grab that airfare if I were you. Its very convenient to fly locally than having to drive.

Those little props can be scary in bed weather! :)

[LipsofanAngel]

I actually don't mind layovers. I learned the hard way, that considering the chances of a flight being delayed, it's easy to miss a connecting flight if there's NOT much of a layover! Especially if it's international flying... even if you get back in the states on time, you gotta factor in the time spent going through customs and still being able to get on your next flight.

[onlyme]

If it was "just" $300.00 difference I would go with the warnings and fly out of NO but I am looking a three tickets - $900.00 total. On the other hand, am I willing to be stuck with my kids in Memphis for a day or longer ( heavens no!! )? It's bad enough that I can't get a direct flight with the brood. I wish Atlanta was closer.:(
Dream, I found the flight on NWA's website - I think. I checked so many I lost track, LOL. Might have been kayak.com.

[onlyme]

I actually don't mind layovers. I learned the hard way, that considering the chances of a flight being delayed, it's easy to miss a connecting flight if there's NOT much of a layover! Especially if it's international flying... even if you get back in the states on time, you gotta factor in the time spent going through customs and still being able to get on your next flight.

That's my worry. I would have one hour in Memphis - which should be enough - and 40 minutes in Detrot - which may not. Flying out of the US is easier than returning though.

[LipsofanAngel]

ooooo, so 3 tickets huh? yeah, I think I'd take my chances if I were you then. I would recommend getting some phone numbers for rental car places in Memphis and keeping those handy just in case... couldn't hurt to be prepared for the worst. And always remember to pack essentials in your carry on, even on the way HOME.

[dream member]

a large misconception with flight times and arrivals is the the departure time isn't when they lock the doors nor is arrival whn you reach the gate. take that into account. the close the doors like 20 min before departure time. so a short layover can be a nightmare..especially if the concourse is different. memphis isn't small either...especially for NWA

[LipsofanAngel]

That's my worry. I would have one hour in Memphis - which should be enough - and 40 minutes in Detrot - which may not. Flying out of the US is easier than returning though.
oh gosh, I don't mean to jinx you, but every time I've had to fly through Detroit something bad happens... either lost luggage or missed or cancelled flights! It's not always in Detroit, just every time I have a flight through there! :ohnoes:

[dream member]

If it was "just" $300.00 difference I would go with the warnings and fly out of NO but I am looking a three tickets - $900.00 total. On the other hand, am I willing to be stuck with my kids in Memphis for a day or longer ( heavens no!! )? It's bad enough that I can't get a direct flight with the brood. I wish Atlanta was closer.:(
Dream, I found the flight on NWA's website - I think. I checked so many I lost track, LOL. Might have been kayak.com.

woah!!! no no no! get off that site. that is where they're the most expensive. try travelocity. I love them. or airtran...they have direct flights from atlanta to gulfport...airtrans website has reasonable flights. I bet I could find one for less. :)

[LipsofanAngel]

oh, and fyi- getting stuck in Detroit isn't fun either. Luckily the airline (I forget which one) did pay for our hotel, but it was in the g-h-e-t-t-o! but they made sure to fly us home first class the next day to compensate for our inconvenience.

And definitely look at other travel sites like Dream mentioned. I usually like Orbitz...

[dollfus46]

I am looking for a reasonably priced (ha!) flight from MS to Germany in March and found one with NWA. I have never flown NWA and know nothing about Laurel airport. According to the schedule I would have 1 hr in Memphis which should be plenty of time IF the flight is on schedule. Does anyone have any experience with that flight? Is it usually on time? How is NWA? I know that they had major problems a while ago but have not heard anything in the last few months. $505.00 compared to $800.00 and up from Jackson or Gulfport with other airlines make NWA look really good.....

With BMW here in Greenville, SC, we have one or two flights a day direct to Germany.

[Ted]

Flying out of PBA is usually not a problem. In my experience, it's flying back into PBA that can be a problem. - - - - - -

- - - - - And the times I have had problems, it was coming back.

- - - - - That's been my experience too.
Flying out of PBA is OK but NW AirLink will sure leave ya stranded in Memphis on the way back to PBA.
I've rented a vehicle in Memphis and drove back to H'burg several times. :smt009

[Hermione]

Another vote -- I too like flying OUT of PB, but like the others said, getting back is a problem. That 40 min deal in Detroit would worry me the most. That's a BIG airport!

[EricStratton]

Dang....I thought this thread was about Wrestling....

[Green Tea]

Don't expect to connect flights on time if you go through Memphis. I'm speaking from experience. Expect to miss your flight, but they will rebook you for the next day and put you in the Southern Inn in Southaven, MS. Don't even bother going to the suggested Holiday Inn...they won't have rooms after you've stood in line for over an hour. Oh and you may want to bring some cleaning supplies with you when you finally do get to a hotel.

Oh and you can write them a nasty email after the experience only for them to give you a voucher for $150 your next flight with them. Useless!

If you can avoid Memphis, do it!

[virgo]

Those little props can be scary in bed weather! :)

Tell me about it. That one time I was flying back from Memphis during a thunderstorm....the plane dropped a few thousand feet. The woman across from me actually had to get stiches for a cut across her face. Everyone else got sick, if you get my drift. It was horrible.

But that was proably about 9 years ago and I flew out of Hattiesburg several times after that and never saw one of those planes again...if I had I would have turned right around and walked to Memphis!

[carsalesguy]

you may want to call pat at magnolia travel-

dad uses her for his flights out to europe, and he gets "hybrid" flights- flies delta from N.O. to either PA or ATL, and then continental to madrid or whatnot-

and saves a TON of money-

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Flying out of Gulfport is really easy!!!!!!!!

[onlyme]

Ok, ok, I am convinced not to fly NWA out of Laurel. Back to the drawing board . It sure is difficult and time consuming to fly transatlantic from here:( . If anyone comes across any good deals let me know. Since we just got "good news" from my son's dentist this afternoon our spring trip might have to be cancelled anyways. His wisdom teeth need to come out pronto :smt009 . Merry Christmas :cry:

[onlyme]

Flying out of Gulfport is really easy!!!!!!!!

Depends on where you want to go and not if you would like to avoid Delta ;)

[dream member]

Ok, ok, I am convinced not to fly NWA out of Laurel. Back to the drawing board . It sure is difficult and time consuming to fly transatlantic from here:( . If anyone comes across any good deals let me know. Since we just got "good news" from my son's dentist this afternoon our spring trip might have to be cancelled anyways. His wisdom teeth need to come out pronto :smt009 . Merry Christmas :cry:

I got my wisdom teeth taken out when I was 15...it only took a few weeks to recover...and I had EIGHT teeth pulled that day...apparently I have a small mouth! :)

Delta has a flight from Atl to Gulfport too....check the airports websites to see what airlines they all fly...Mobile has some different ones too...check them out.