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

[Anonymous]

I know your dates aren’t flexible, but can you do your planned activity a day later?

If you buy the cheaper flights, maybe put the saved $ toward travel insurance.

[Anonymous]

Where is the other US airport?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you in the DMV?

Can you explore flying out of PHL or EWR for a nonstop flight? You'd have to drive to these airports (2-4 hrs) and pay for parking, but could be less expensive than shelling out for the nonstop from the DMV.

This is my suggestion - check Dulles, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and even Newark for direct flights. For the extra $2400 direct flights would cost, it would be worth it even if you have to stay at a hotel the night before.

Thanks pps for these suggestions--much appreciated! I have unfortunately checked these airports. We're actually closest to PHL. None of the airports on this list are any better

What about JFK or Boston? What other airports are within a 6 hour drive of you?

I’ve found terrific prices on flights for our family of 6 that are much cheaper even if we need to spend the night at a hotel before the flight.

I know two families who arrived in Europe without their luggage presumably due to their connection. I would only fly direct.

[Anonymous]

Friends arrived in Venice yesterday. No luggage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Friends arrived in Venice yesterday. No luggage.

Carry on only. Come on.

[Anonymous]

The ‘fly direct’ people in this thread seem to be the lucky few who haven’t had their $$$ non stop flight be changed to one with a connection or two. And that’s for the same price with no voucher or refund provided.

My new rule is book a decent connection for cheap and carry on only. I’m a big over packer, but I will adjust. Also found some nice travel backpacks to double the ‘carry on’ that still fit under the seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The ‘fly direct’ people in this thread seem to be the lucky few who haven’t had their $$$ non stop flight be changed to one with a connection or two. And that’s for the same price with no voucher or refund provided.

My new rule is book a decent connection for cheap and carry on only. I’m a big over packer, but I will adjust. Also found some nice travel backpacks to double the ‘carry on’ that still fit under the seat.

I have no clue how anyone can pack enough clothes, etc. in a small carry on and personal item.

I also don’t know how you handle makeup and toiletries in a carry on.

Are you going on super short trips? Are you staying in AirBnbs with laundry rooms?

I know two families in Italy this summer whose luggage didn’t make it. Both flew out of Dulles.

[Anonymous]

Even before Covid and all these recent cancellations, I avoid connections. I have had luggage get lost or delayed because luggage didn’t connect.

No way would I risk during winter break travel where everyone is traveling. Fly direct nonstop.

[Anonymous]

$1300 during peak winter break for an international flight doesn’t seem so bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ‘fly direct’ people in this thread seem to be the lucky few who haven’t had their $$$ non stop flight be changed to one with a connection or two. And that’s for the same price with no voucher or refund provided.

My new rule is book a decent connection for cheap and carry on only. I’m a big over packer, but I will adjust. Also found some nice travel backpacks to double the ‘carry on’ that still fit under the seat.

I have no clue how anyone can pack enough clothes, etc. in a small carry on and personal item.

I also don’t know how you handle makeup and toiletries in a carry on.

Are you going on super short trips? Are you staying in AirBnbs with laundry rooms?

I know two families in Italy this summer whose luggage didn’t make it. Both flew out of Dulles.

We are in Europe now. Everyone got one carry on and a backpack. Worked out fine for us. I have travel size toiletries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ‘fly direct’ people in this thread seem to be the lucky few who haven’t had their $$$ non stop flight be changed to one with a connection or two. And that’s for the same price with no voucher or refund provided.

My new rule is book a decent connection for cheap and carry on only. I’m a big over packer, but I will adjust. Also found some nice travel backpacks to double the ‘carry on’ that still fit under the seat.

I have no clue how anyone can pack enough clothes, etc. in a small carry on and personal item.

I also don’t know how you handle makeup and toiletries in a carry on.

Are you going on super short trips? Are you staying in AirBnbs with laundry rooms?

I know two families in Italy this summer whose luggage didn’t make it. Both flew out of Dulles.

For summer clothes don't take up much room and we don't bring a ton of toiletries. We have done done two week trips with just carry on. The trick is to be strategic about shoes. Also if you are traveling with kids remember they cam bring carry-ons too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ‘fly direct’ people in this thread seem to be the lucky few who haven’t had their $$$ non stop flight be changed to one with a connection or two. And that’s for the same price with no voucher or refund provided.

My new rule is book a decent connection for cheap and carry on only. I’m a big over packer, but I will adjust. Also found some nice travel backpacks to double the ‘carry on’ that still fit under the seat.

I have no clue how anyone can pack enough clothes, etc. in a small carry on and personal item.

I also don’t know how you handle makeup and toiletries in a carry on.

Are you going on super short trips? Are you staying in AirBnbs with laundry rooms?

I know two families in Italy this summer whose luggage didn’t make it. Both flew out of Dulles.

We are in Europe now. Everyone got one carry on and a backpack. Worked out fine for us. I have travel size toiletries.

Do you not wear special face cream, moisturizer, foundation, etc? I struggle with keeping the liquids under the security threshold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ‘fly direct’ people in this thread seem to be the lucky few who haven’t had their $$$ non stop flight be changed to one with a connection or two. And that’s for the same price with no voucher or refund provided.

My new rule is book a decent connection for cheap and carry on only. I’m a big over packer, but I will adjust. Also found some nice travel backpacks to double the ‘carry on’ that still fit under the seat.

I have no clue how anyone can pack enough clothes, etc. in a small carry on and personal item.

I also don’t know how you handle makeup and toiletries in a carry on.

Are you going on super short trips? Are you staying in AirBnbs with laundry rooms?

I know two families in Italy this summer whose luggage didn’t make it. Both flew out of Dulles.

We are in Europe now. Everyone got one carry on and a backpack. Worked out fine for us. I have travel size toiletries.

Do you not wear special face cream, moisturizer, foundation, etc? I struggle with keeping the liquids under the security threshold.

Not while on vacation. We just did a week with only carry on luggage and personal items. I left behind my travel hair dryer and special creams. I kept the shoes to 3 and wore the bulkiest on the plane. We even left some room on the way out so we'd have room for souveniers. We stayed in several hotels and splurged for laundry for less than 5 items once. I washed other items and hung them to dry. With summer clothing, it's not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Re carry on: update your luggage. For $99 I got a Travel On (?) not certain of the brand but bought at Nordstrom rack. It’s a lot of the cube concept and I used cube. But it seemed to fit lots more than my old bag. Or maybe I just got better at packing. But family of 6, 3 countries in the last 9 months, one bag each. (But we’re nonstop only fliers. No problems yet).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ‘fly direct’ people in this thread seem to be the lucky few who haven’t had their $$$ non stop flight be changed to one with a connection or two. And that’s for the same price with no voucher or refund provided.

My new rule is book a decent connection for cheap and carry on only. I’m a big over packer, but I will adjust. Also found some nice travel backpacks to double the ‘carry on’ that still fit under the seat.

I have no clue how anyone can pack enough clothes, etc. in a small carry on and personal item.

I also don’t know how you handle makeup and toiletries in a carry on.

Are you going on super short trips? Are you staying in AirBnbs with laundry rooms?

I know two families in Italy this summer whose luggage didn’t make it. Both flew out of Dulles.

We are in Europe now. Everyone got one carry on and a backpack. Worked out fine for us. I have travel size toiletries.

Do you not wear special face cream, moisturizer, foundation, etc? I struggle with keeping the liquids under the security threshold.

Leave the "special creams" behind -- in fact, leave all of it behind. You're on vacation -- live a lilttle and let your face breathe.