I am flying to New York (you know why) this Christmas, I am departing midnight Christmas night and getting to Rochester around 9 in the morning, and leaving around 7 PM Jan 4th and getting back to San Fran around midnight.

San Francisco 11:30 PM Dec 25 --> Rochester 9:30 AM Dec 26

Rochester 7:30 PM Jan 4 --> San Francisco 12:10 AM Jan 5

Here is where I need help: I can choose to have my layover in Chicago, IL or Washington D.C. Taking mainly the winter weather into consideration, which airport would be the better choice as to avoid delays?

id go with Chicago because ive been to D.C. around that time of year and it was PACKED

For Illinois, you can never know what the weather will be like. Most likely, freezing cold and snowy. Then again, we sailed through one winter without any snow and even some don't-need-a-coat weather. So who knows.

I've been to O'hare and it seemed to go smoothly. I've also been to the Newark (across the river from NY in NJ) airport and it was NOT fun. So.. I would say Chicago. But weather.. eh.. both places are pretty miserable in the winter.

I have been to both O'hare and Dulles multiple times previously, but never in the winter. Chicago is more north than DC...does that make a difference? Both are on water...grrr, i guess its gonna be a crap chute.

Argh, dagnabbit. You never said we had to be intelligent AND awake. Well nevermind about this thread then.

Haha this thread only has 5 replies.

I... dont know why I find that amusing.

Chicago. Dallas, from personal experience, sucks.

Also, it's only a national airport, which means it closes at 10 PM. That means if you DO have a delay, and you can't find another flight by 10? You're stuck in DC for the night.

Go with Chicago.


[edit- I thought so anyway.. But from the times on you flights... that would put you in Dulles later then 10 PM.. I think.. hm. I still say go with Chicago.]

Which Chicago airport? That'll affect where you should go a ton. If the Chicago airport is O'Hare, do your layover in DC, O'hare has some of the worst airport delays in the country. If its Midway, you'd do fine to have your layover in Chicago, becuase its not nearly as bad as O'Hare.

I don't think it'll matter either way.

DC. Dulles has always been good to me.