Experience flying into Long Beach Municipal Airport for cruise?

[wildcats40]

We are looking at our options for getting from the east coast to LA for our cruise and wondered if we should consider flying to Long Beach instead of LAX.  It would mean changing planes once instead of a non-stop flight to LAX so want to get opinions on if it would be worth it to avoid LAX.  I assume it's a quicker, less expensive taxi ride for one thing.  Appreciate any feedback.

[ehughes]

We flew in and out of Long Beach in May.  Much better and easier than LAX.  Shuttles/taxis/ride shares are right out the doors.  Luggage was at baggage claim quickly.

[princeton123211]

12 hours ago, wildcats40 said:

We are looking at our options for getting from the east coast to LA for our cruise and wondered if we should consider flying to Long Beach instead of LAX.

The upside is that Long Beach is a much smaller airport and things are a lot easier than LAX. You are also closer to your cruise departure. The major downside is that when things go wrong, and they will especially right now, you have far fewer options when you are ticketed into Long Beach than if you were into LAX. 

 

12 hours ago, wildcats40 said:

It would mean changing planes once instead of a non-stop flight to LAX so want to get opinions on if it would be worth it to avoid LAX. 

This is where the real danger lies in the current commercial aviation environment where cancellations are frequent and unpredictable. If it was a nonstop I would say roll the dice and you'll most likely be fine-- the upside would slightly outweigh the downside. Adding an unnecessary layover (assuming you have a non stop option to LAX) adds a bunch of variables and would tip it the other way for me. I would do a nonstop and just get it done. 

[Mrbp1]

Long Beach airport would be my vote. Super easy to get from the airport to your hotel or cruise port. A couple of things to be aware of is that Long Beach airport does not have jetways. You leave the plane by stairs. Also, baggage claim is outside. No big deal. Just a short walk to where you can rent a car or be picked up by other transportation services.

 

The one thing that I do not like leaving from the Long Beach airport is that the airport food and drinks are super expensive for what you get. That leaves a nasty taste in my mouth when everything else has always been great.

 

LAX does have more flight options but it is about 20 to 30 minutes further away.

[skrufy]

On 9/13/2022 at 6:55 PM, wildcats40 said:

We are looking at our options for getting from the east coast to LA for our cruise and wondered if we should consider flying to Long Beach instead of LAX.  It would mean changing planes once instead of a non-stop flight to LAX so want to get opinions on if it would be worth it to avoid LAX.  I assume it's a quicker, less expensive taxi ride for one thing.  Appreciate any feedback.

Long Beach anytime over LAX. The drawback is no non stops and higher cost to fly there. With todays uncertainty that your flight will depart, my suggestion is to fly in two days before your cruise. 

[imola]

On 9/13/2022 at 6:25 PM, ehughes said:

We flew in and out of Long Beach in May.  Much better and easier than LAX.  Shuttles/taxis/ride shares are right out the doors.  Luggage was at baggage claim quickly.

Did you grab a taxi or Uber?  Can you share what your cost was?  We are arriving at Long Beach Airport the day before our cruise going to the Crown Plaza in San Pedro. 

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

3 hours ago, imola said:

Did you grab a taxi or Uber?  Can you share what your cost was?  We are arriving at Long Beach Airport the day before our cruise going to the Crown Plaza in San Pedro. 

First, I would do LGB anytime over LAX.  You can be at the curb in your UBER in the same time it would take you to get to the sidewalk at LAX.  However, my first choice would be Orange County.  It's a much nicer terminal on the return and probably more flight options.  LGB is a pretty cool historic terminal, but has less options for food and drink on your return if you have to hang out waiting for a flight home.  TSA much better at Orange County than LGB.  UBER is dynamic pricing so what somebody else paid isn't going to mean much.  

[KeepCalmBearOn]

I'd pick both LGB and SNA over LAX. Much nicer airports. Smaller and easier to navigate.