hellokittie

I will be near the University of Arizon in Tucson in January for a short trip--I will be flying back to NYC. Would it make sense to fly non-stop from Phoenix? How long would a shuttle bus take? If I fly from Tuscon, I cannot fly direct which means changing planes.
Also, any opinion on which airline to take? Many thanks.

razzledazzle

The trip between Tucson and Sky Harbor in PHX takes about 2 hours.
http://arizonashuttle.com/
I think with the state of airlines these days, if you don't have a frequent flyer status with any airline, then
I'd choose which one has the best fare and most convienint times for you.

R5

hellokittie

Thanks. They are all about the same price and there are lots of choices. However, I am concerned about the following:
losing luggage (need to check it) while connecting, ease of changing planes (Denver, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, all options) and likelihood of canceled flights (I read that American does that often, for ex.)
Trying to balance this against the disadvantage of taking the shuttle bus to Phoenix.

dfr4848

I agree that unless you have a favored FF program, get the route with the best fare and schedule. Everything else being fairly equal, I might consider avoiding DEN and ORD in Jan, but we've also flown through those airports in winter with no problem.

Only you can decide whether the 2 hr shuttle is worth it rather than a connection.

joeyi

how much is the shuttle to PHX? it's not a bad drive between the 2 cities and i would think a non stop to back to NYC in Jan would be a much better option than all the worries about switching planes and weather.

lennyba

Last time I took the shuttle to PHX it was $25. It picks up right by the UA.

Personally, if it's between messing around with a plane change at an airport that potentially will have weather delays and the ride to Phoenix, I'd choose the latter.

Judy24

Another vote for flying nonstop from PHX.

Although I've not taken the shuttle, and have only driven, I think the two hours it takes to go from Tucson to Phoenix would be easily offset by the down time between any flight connections. Also, as previously mentioned, in addition to the usual hassles of changing flights, you'd be taking on an additional risk in January due to weather conditions.

hellokittie

Thanks! Is Phoenix an easy airport to use in terms of check in etc? Any airline preferences?

lennyba

I've only flown British Airways and Alaska in and out of Phoenix. I thought it was as hassle free as can be expected.

razzledazzle

What airport are you using in NYC ? That might help you choose
which airline. For example, US Air has a major hub
at PHX and the newest (upgraded) terminal, terminal 4.
(If I were delayed, this is the terminal in PHX I'd want to be delayed in.)
However, they only fly non-stop from PHX to EWR. All of their flights to LGA are connections. I agree with lennyba, that PHX is as hasle free as can be expected, for a large airport.
OTOH, I could do TUS in my sleep.

R5

lennyba

<OTOH, I could do TUS in my sleep.>

That seems to be how they manage security. Love that airport!

razzledazzle

LOL, lennyba !
Growing up in TUS you had to walk outside to board the plane-
we thought ORD (and nearly every other airport)was so very cool with their jetways !

I dunno about the security-I had used one of my Dad's cars
while visiting a few years ago and forgot to return his keys.
Security pulled me out to "discuss" the mysterious contents
of one of my jacket pockets (it was December). The guy played 20 questions with me to get me to guess what it was
that I was supposedly trying to sneak past him.
Finally dawned on me, thank gawd !

R5