Is it worth shelling out $$$ for direct flights?

[Anonymous]

Prekids, we were happy to sit in an airport for a while to save some money, up to a point. With kids, we're much more willing to pay extra to avoid that.

[Anonymous]

It is worth it especially for international trips. Sometimes I take direct flights out of Newark or Philadelphia just to avoid changing planes in Europe. I absolutely hate waiting in customs for the sake of only changing planes to board another flight. It wastes so much time. With non direct flights you risk your luggage not being there when you land. Depending on the country or airline it can be so frustrating trying to locate your luggage. Also, with delays you risk missing your next flight or you will spend hours or days in an airport. No, thank you! None direct flights can be a PITA. Yes, direct flights are expensive, but time is money. In life you will pay extra for convenience and your time.

[Anonymous]

I probably would go with the cheaper flight (just me!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hearing all these travel stories about delays and missed flights has me waffling about what to do for a Christmas break trip we're planning. The destination is outside the U.S., and we can fly with either one connection (at another U.S. airport) or direct. The direct flight is almost double the cost, about $1300pp. This feels painful to me and kind of crazy, but I am just not sure what to do at this point. Our dates are unfortunately not flexible.

I know it's all guesswork, but welcome advice from the seasoned travelers out there.

One advantage of the current airline schedule madness is that you can take advantage of schedule changes to improve your trip. If the cheaper one stop option is on the same airline as the nonstop, book the one-stop for now and save the cash. Odds are probably 50/50 there will be a schedule change between now and departure, and you might be able to switch to the nonstop option for free. I have had this happen twice during the pandemic as schedules shifted over time. Of course also possible the nonstop may get cut off it's a marginal/smaller route or airport. Where are you going?

[Anonymous]

Flying “during the pandemic” (full staff, empty planes) is completely different that flying now (overbooked flights, understaffed). Do not count on there being a seat on a nonstop at a later point in time. Our 2022 long haul nonstop flights have all been completely full.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I probably would go with the cheaper flight (just me!)

Same. $2400 is a lot of $$.

[Anonymous]

Don't waste your money, They will change your flights and add layovers guaranteed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't waste your money, They will change your flights and add layovers guaranteed.

We just flew nonstop IAD to Athens, brother & fam drove to Newark to save $2400. All of our flights were on time and no issues encountered. It happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, because I shelled out for a direct flight that was cancelled and I was rebooked on a route with stops. It's a crapshoot and very likely your planned/preferred flight be delayed/cancelled/changed.

This just happened to my brother in law flying back from Germany to Anchorage. And since it’s hard to get to Alaska, he wound up with three layovers replacing his direct flight.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely worth it for trip there.

[Anonymous]

Unless your connection point is notorious for snowstorms… it’s worth it to save money

[Anonymous]

Traveling with my 1, 3, and 9 yr old I only fly direct. Depends on your travel party.

[Anonymous]

I am hoping things won’t be as bad as they are right now by Christmas (still not perfect but hopefully will have worked out more issues). I booked a flight at Christmas months ago and it has a layover, a long layover in a city I plan to enjoy. I’m incorporating it into my trip. I couldn’t afford nonstop. Multi-city flight with a long layer each way in Copenhagen cost $470 vs $900+ not worth it to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't waste your money, They will change your flights and add layovers guaranteed.

+1
Until protections are added for getting money back if your itinerary is changed, not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Traveling with my 1, 3, and 9 yr old I only fly direct. Depends on your travel party.

Most of us agree it’s worth it BUT

Many of us have been burned by paying extra for nonstop tickets only to have airlines cancel routes, change itineraries, add stop(s).
It’s very frustrating to pay the extra cost and not receive what you paid for.