I am planning to visit family in Hancock, Maine, in the Bangor-Bar Harbor area, from Saturday June 23 to Wednesday June 27. I live in suburban Washington, DC. My schedule is flexible; there%26#39;s no particular urgency in arrival or departure times.
Initially my relatives advised me to take Jet Blue to Portland and to drive the remaining way; now they%26#39;re saying maybe I should take US Air into Bangor. Advantages of Jet Blue: bigger, supposedly more comfortable jets; more convenient times for me; leaves from and returns to Dulles, which is more convenient for me (and more comfortable returning to National Airport, which always seems bumpy). Advantages of US Air: lands me closer to my destination, so less travel time overall. One factor I%26#39;m not sure about: How far is the drive from Portland to Bangor?
Many thanks in advance for your advice.
From Washington to Maine: Jet Blue or US Air?
Based on the recent experiences of some friends, I would avoid USAir---between flight delays and luggage that goes on its own trip, it%26#39;s not worth it.
Portland to Bangor is roughly two hours via Interstate 295 and 95---and it%26#39;s not nearly the hectic interstate experience of the DC area.
From Washington to Maine: Jet Blue or US Air?
Yes allow two hours to get from Portland to Bangor with a break along the way, and its all via interstate, a very easy drive with mostly light traffic, unless it is on a Friday then northbound traffic in the summer can be a bit heavy.
To me the choice would be clear, Jet Blue. The only advantage you have for US Air is the driving distance and that should not be enough to outweigh the ones for Jet Blue. Jet Blue is the top rated airline right now whereas US air is on the bottom. One other advantage you did not state at all is price. I do not know for sure but I am guessing that it is going to be much much cheaper to fly Jet Blue to Portland. We live in downeast Maine and normally drive to Portland for flights because they are so much cheaper and have a better schedule. Bangor has no discount airfare cariers and therefore no competition in prices so their fares are much higher.
In case you%26#39;re not convinced, yet, fly Jet Blue to Portland. Portland is a small airport (by DC standards), easy in, easy out. The extra drive time to Bangor will almost be made up by the extra drive time to National Airport, especially depending on traffic/time of day and your location in relation to Dulles vs National.
Air Tran recently started service to Portland and had a fare sale for $49 one way though I think it%26#39;s over now. It%26#39;s what got us thinking about a Maine vacation in the first place. They go out of BWI and IAD. I%26#39;m not sure if they go to Bangor. United also goes out of IAD to Portland but it%26#39;s pricey.
Do check the rates online. I had a family member visit last week, and on a lark I checked the fare to Bangor before she booked. Believe it or not, the fare to Bangor was at least $200 better than the fare to Portland. Surprised me! Since we were planning to go Downeast, I just had her fly into Bangor and picked her up there.
If you do fly into Portland, you can also take the Concord Trailways bus to Bangor. A city bus can take you from the Jet Port to the Bus Station. Or, you can catch a cab. Much easier than asking a family member to drive all the way to Portland to pick you up/take you back.
For what it%26#39;s worth, the front page article in today%26#39;s Portland Press Herald concerns the price war that is developing among air carriers as a result of Air Tran coming into Portland.
Wow LovingMaine I have not in a long time seen fares into Bangor cheaper then into Portland. With JetBlue and now AirTran both flying into portland there is a need for the other airlines to lower their fares to compete there. That competition does not exist in Bangor. I dont remember the exact figures but in the last four flights I tried to book we saved a minimum of $100 per ticket to fly from Portland and a couple of them were over $200 each. However, I do know you sometimes luck out and get a good fare anywhere it just depends on when you check as they change constantly.
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