re: MSY will soon offer direct flights to BHM and PNS

Yeah, panhandle makes sense if you are traveling out there on the reg.

If it's a once a year, week-long family beach trip it doesn't make sense.

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If it's a once a year, week-long family beach trip it doesn't make sense.

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seasonal flight

It's not just for people in New Orleans.. People in Pensacola can fly to MSY then connect to other airports

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MSY going big, adding flights within an afternoon driving distance.

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exactly what I was thinking...how can that possibly work from an economic standpoint?...

First, I'll assume you live in Metairie, so let's allow 30 minutes for driving and parking at MSY. Let's also assume you don't have any bags to check. So maybe, if you walk through the door at MSY 60 minutes before your departure time, you might make it through to your gate on time.

Honestly, it would be 2.5 hours, minimum, point tot point. Then, you still need transportation on the other end.

You're correct about the tunnel, but it's really only bad certain times.

I doubt flying it would save any time or very little. You do get to ride in a shitty plane, so there's that.

Yeah that PNS route doesnt make much sense to me.

And keep in mind that airport is still at least 45 minutes from Perdido Key and closer to an hour to Orange Beach

I usually do, too, (although parking is becoming increasingly difficult)

That's traveling light and alone, though.

I don't see the PNS route as being a "business" type flight.

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First, I'll assume you live in Metairie

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No St. Maarten

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so let's allow 30 minutes for driving and parking at MSY. Let's also assume you don't have any bags to check. So maybe, if you walk through the door at MSY 60 minutes before your departure time, you might make it through to your gate on time.

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I have flown out of MSY many times and I always get there with an hour to 70 minutes before my flight and I check bags, and go through security and make it with plenty of time.

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Honestly, it would be 2.5 hours, minimum, point tot point. Then, you still need transportation on the other end.

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You do need transportation on the other end but with cabs, rideshare companies, and daily rental car specials it is not that big of a deal. We always used a cab when we in Destin on Panama city anyway because we were usually too drunk to drive. The car we came in stays parked at the condo.

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You're correct about the tunnel, but it's really only bad certain times.

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If by certain time you mean 5AM to 11:59PM everyday of the week. I have never made it through that tunnel in less than 30 minutes.

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I doubt flying it would save any time or very little. You do get to ride in a shitty plane, so there's that.

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If it was reasonably priced I could bear a 1 hour flight on Saab 340. I took one from SXM to Puerto Rico a few months ago and it was a 90 minute fight and it was not bad until the last 20 minutes or so. Google maps is saying that it takes 3 hours and 15 minutes to get from MSY to Pensacola and there is no major traffic delays. You add in another hour for traffic (there is always traffic alonf I-10)and stops you are looking at 2.5 hours flying vs a min of 4 hours driving. It is 210 miles from airport to airport so gas would be (420m/20mpg = 21 gallons * $3 (for easy math and I have no idea what gas is in the states) = $66 in gas. Silver Airlines flights for Orlando to Fort Lauderdale (1 hour 15 minute flight) are $80 so it is not like the costs are that crazy. Would families use it probably not, but I bet some young professionals and retirees would love to be able to get to the beach in 2.5 hours for $80/person.