Flying to Desin, FLA
 

HELP!! Need to get to Destin, FL from Chicago. I KNOW there is an airport closer to Destin than Pensacola. 1.)Is is Ft. Walton Beach? 2.)What airline flies there? I have gone to specific airline web sites & typed in Ft. Walton & it comes up blank. Thanks for any and all help.

Chicagochick, <BR> <BR>The airport code for Ft Walton Beach is VPS. I just checked USAIR's website and American has a flight to Orlando with a connection on USAIR to Ft Walton. I suspect there are other carriers with similar connections. You'll probably fly a puddle jumper to Ft Walton (i.e., prop plane). <BR> <BR>I have flown into Pensacola and driven to Destin. It's an easy 1 and 1/2 hour drive along a mostly beautiful beach road. If you prefer a direct flight, it's not a bad alternative. <BR> <BR>Have a geat time!

There is a small airfiled in Destin itself, but I don't think it is what you want/need. You are probably thinking of the Okaloosa County Airport, which is just a few miles north Shalimar/Ft Walton Beach, near Eglin Air Force property. I think the code is VAL. (a nearby town is Valpariso). I have flown AirTran in/out of this airport many times and have gotten good rates. In fact, sat next to lady from Chicago who was visiting her Mom in Pensacola. She could get better fares from Chicago (Midland) to Valpariso than into Pensacola. Delta and US Airways fly into Valpariso also, maybe Northwest. <BR>You will need either a rental car or a taxi to get from the airport to Destin -- it is about 30 minute drive, depending on the time of day. <BR>Panama City's airport is actually closer than Pensacola, but the fares flying in/out of Panama City are bad. Only Delta, US Airways, and Northwest fly from Panama City. <BR>One of the travel website, I can't recall which one, lets you plug in a location with airports within a 100 mile radius. It is either Orbitz, CheapTickets, Travelocity, or Expedia.

Chuck & Jeannie: <BR>Thank you for your responses. (P.S. Chuck: There is NO direct flight from Chicago to Pensacola; that's why I'd like to get a LITTLE closer to my "DESTIN-ation", as this commute takes about 8 hours from door to door. This is our 2nd trip there in 16 months (two weddings!!) Thanks again, & I'll start my homework. <BR>Chicagochick

Chuck is right -- the airport code is VPS. And, I should have said Chicago MIDWAY (not Midland) and Oklaloosa REGIONAL Airport, not Okaloosa County airport. <BR>If you fly AirTran from Chicago, I think you would connect in Atlanta. The flight from Atlanta to VPS is not a prop type, but AirTran doesn't serve meals.

I'm flying there in the morning. Delta has a connection thru Atlanta. I booked thru Orbitz.com,the new sight owned by four airlines. Agree, VPS is airport code. Incidently, I live in Florida. US Air has a direct flight but costs twice as much so am flying thru Atlanta.