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

[Anonymous]

I book direct there so any delays don’t eat into my vacation. I don’t want to be spending money on lodging that I won’t use for to airline delay. On the way back we are fine with stopovers to save money.

[Anonymous]

Paying $$$ for non stop doesn’t guarantee flight won’t be delayed or cancelled..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Paying $$$ for non stop doesn’t guarantee flight won’t be delayed or cancelled..

Yes at least I won't be en route
There's less chance of disruption

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

If you don't book nonstop you definitely will have connections. If you do book nonstop you have a chance.

[Anonymous]

My last 3 nonstop flights all got delayed or cancelled
Hawaii - 24 hr
Boston - canceled
Montreal - 2 hr

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

If you don't book nonstop you definitely will have connections. If you do book nonstop you have a chance.

Yeah but is it worth $2400 more on the chance that you *might* get the direct flight you paid for?

[Anonymous]

I’m the one that says I’d do it for the family of 4, I wouldn’t do it most likely for 1500/ticket or less. We book our trips far in advance and really look forward to them and also have other incurred costs for trips so wouldn’t want to change our plans generally, but for 10k/ticket, hell yeah. Even if we scrap the trip we’ll figure something else out last minute and that would pay for at least 4 other nice vacations.

[Anonymous]

Paying $$$ for non stop doesn’t guarantee that the airline won't change the schedule and rebook you on a connection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My worry is more about the way there, missing out on a day/days we've booked. The trip is only a week long. On the way home I think we could handle the chaos a little more comfortably.

If there’s any way you could delay the trip and do something else this time, delay the trip. Flying for pleasure for a trip under about two weeks, and not to see a sick older relative or something else urgent, is foolish right now. You could easily get to your destination 48 hours later than expected.

Of course, everything might be fine. But the percentage of travelers facing nightmares is a lot higher than usual.

[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.

Special face cream...? Erm no

[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.

+1. I don’t really wear makeup but all these posters must have stick straight hair and skin that isn’t sensitive. We need our good shampoos and leave in conditioners, the moisturizers and sunscreens that we know don’t irritate our skin. I don’t want to hunt for them when we get wherever we are going. I’ve never lost a bag and only had one delayed once, and for less than a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1. I don’t really wear makeup but all these posters must have stick straight hair and skin that isn’t sensitive. We need our good shampoos and leave in conditioners, the moisturizers and sunscreens that we know don’t irritate our skin. I don’t want to hunt for them when we get wherever we are going. I’ve never lost a bag and only had one delayed once, and for less than a day.

Personally I’ve only had one delayed bag and since I was at Dulles, it was no biggie to pick it up the next day.

These days? No thanks. I will travel with sink washing Tide if I don’t have a washer where I’m headed. On vacation I’m a lip and mascara lady, small face cream. I’ll learn to do without luxuries to have the things I really need.

[Anonymous]

Yes, worth it.