long direct flight or layover

[Anonymous]

Hi. We have to choose between a long direct flight (15 hours to India) or flying through Europe with a 4 hour break. We have a three-and-half year old boy and three month-old infant. Any ideas of which option is better?

[Anonymous]

When I fly to the middle east, I prefer the direct flight. It's only 12 hours (compared to your 15). But if you can figure out a way to have older DC sleep a good portion of the flight, that breaks it up a bit. Your infant should sleep a good deal anyway.

When we lay over in Europe, it makes it more than a day's worth of travel, which just seems harder than getting it all over with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I fly to the middle east, I prefer the direct flight. It's only 12 hours (compared to your 15). But if you can figure out a way to have older DC sleep a good portion of the flight, that breaks it up a bit. Your infant should sleep a good deal anyway.

When we lay over in Europe, it makes it more than a day's worth of travel, which just seems harder than getting it all over with.

Oh, I should mention we've only got one child (toddler), easier than 2. But I think I'd still try to go straight through. Less hassle than transferring flights, worrying about delays, etc.

[Anonymous]

I also only have 1 toddler, but I much prefer direct. There is too much hassle with connections - makes the travel time longer, more likelihood of problems, DD gets distracted and does not want to get on the second flight, etc. Once she gets happy on the first flight, it is easy to keep it that way.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I have three kids. Definitely would choose direct over a layover.

[Anonymous]

Fly Direct!

I've flown to Asia with my two kids both ways (direct and layover). Although in theory, you think a layover might be good (they can run around in a terminal for a few hours), it doesn't work that way! The layover gives them just enough of a break that they're REALLY tired and cranky for the second leg. I'm convinced there is something mental about getting off the plane, they think they're "done"... but then when they have to go back on the plane, it just sends them over the edge. Trust me... go DIRECT. its a long, tough flight. But at least then when its over, its really OVER.

Layovers suck. But they REALLY suck with two young kids!

[Anonymous]

We just did the direct flight to India and it was great with a 1 and 3 year old. It was our first long flight over 10 hours direct and I highly recommend it over the lay over.

[Anonymous]

No brainer........fly direct! 3 and a half year old now -- she has flown RT 17.5 hours twice and RT 13 hours. Works well.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for that unanimous opinion. Direct it is...