Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 15:54     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Anonymous wrote:Frankfurt I have avoided since having to sprint like a crazy mad woman to make a normal connection. It's huge.

+1 OMG my son filmed our mad dash through Frankfurt 2 summers ago which at the time wasn't funny but now I look back an laugh at the video. We made the flight - I was a sweating mess breathing so hard - I can't remember the last time I've run that hard. Of course our luggage did not (we rarely check our bags and of course the one time we did.....). I think if I were to fly through Frankfurt again - I'd only do it if I have a big gap between flights and I wasn't checking bags, or it was my final destination.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 14:57     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Anonymous wrote:I try to avoid places like Chicago or Denver in winter. They handle snow well but it does still increase risks.

Heathrow is my “nope never.”


Denver is more likely to have issues during the summer due to afternoon thunderstorms than from winter weather. Always fun when a flight has to divert all the way to ABQ to refuel after circling ar DEN for an hour.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 14:52     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I try to avoid places like Chicago or Denver in winter. They handle snow well but it does still increase risks.

Heathrow is my “nope never.”


Heathrow is “meh” for me. JFK is filthy and does not have adequate charging/seating for long layovers. I had to charge my phone in a gaming store that cost $18 per hour because there were no stations. That airport is dingy and in need of a gut renovation.



Which JFK terminal? They are currently rebuilding Terminal 1, the first phase opens later this year. The new Terminal 6 also opens this year (taking footprint of old T6 and T7). With those improvements all the terminals will be up to modern standards.


It was Jet Blue’s terminal so I think it was 5. I rode the train to several terminals and they were all in bad shape with no place to sit. One of the employees said they had to remove chairs because of the homelessness problem.


You mean in the pre-security parts of the terminals? I wouldn't expect to find much seating there, those aren't meant to be places people spend a lot of time in.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 13:13     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Anonymous wrote:No layovers for me. I did plenty when I had less money and they're so exhausting.


It's not just $

There are lots of places that don't have direct flights from the DMV airports

What a strange comment
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 13:07     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Yes, I try to avoid a northern layover in the winter (we fly AA often, so Chicago is always an option), and I try to avoid MIA at all costs when traveling internationally.

I don't mind Charlotte or DFW for an AA layover.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 13:05     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:no layovers unless you plan to stay the city for a week. for example its acceptable to fly to italy and stop in paris for a week, but its not acceptable to be in the airport it should be direct for each destination.


I mean we're flying to Australia...there are no direct flights from DC. Do you choose not to go at all?


I would stopin dubai on emritres as long as its business class its ok if not plan a week in dubai
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 13:02     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Even if its cheaper and more reasonable timing, I avoid Qatar. I know this is more about prejudice and anxiety but I feel like my kids will say the wrong thing or my dh will pack the wrong thing or look at someone wrong and we'll be harassed about it in some way.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 13:02     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Anonymous wrote:no layovers unless you plan to stay the city for a week. for example its acceptable to fly to italy and stop in paris for a week, but its not acceptable to be in the airport it should be direct for each destination.


I mean we're flying to Australia...there are no direct flights from DC. Do you choose not to go at all?
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 13:00     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Frankfurt I have avoided since having to sprint like a crazy mad woman to make a normal connection. It's huge.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 12:57     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Anonymous wrote:For Europe I try to avoid LHR, CDG and Frankfurt. Zurich is great and Amsterdam and Munich are fine.

In the US I feel like I have fewer options


+ these are my avoid/go to airports in Europe as well.

In the US I avoid the JFK, Newark, if I can work around Denver or Chicago I will but that isn't always an option, and in general in the US I try for a direct flight. I will pay more for direct or the airport of my choice - within reason - if its well above my flight budget I will suck it up and go through some airports
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 12:55     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Coming back from South America, DO NOT fly through Miami. I have been stranded at least 3x in Miami. Last time I had a 4 hour layover and that still was not enough time to clear customs and make my next flight. I was with my family and small kids who basically melted down in the 5+ hour line we waited in. They were so hungry and tired. The airlines had taken my stroller too and put it under so I had to carry my 1 year old for all of that.

I also try to avoid Chicago in the winter so my flight doesn't get cancelled.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 12:51     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Anonymous wrote:No layovers for me. I did plenty when I had less money and they're so exhausting.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 12:48     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

For Europe I try to avoid LHR, CDG and Frankfurt. Zurich is great and Amsterdam and Munich are fine.

In the US I feel like I have fewer options
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 12:47     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Are we staying in the airport or leaving the airport? I'll say this about Heathrow for a 12 hour layover. You can hop on the train and be in the West End in about 45 minutes. Not a terrible way to kill a few hours.

Copenhagen is also good for easy transport into the city. Schiphol too. I do not like De Gaulle. And all the New York airports seem like a grim thing to deal with for a brief layover.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 12:40     Subject: Does the layover location matter to you?

Anonymous wrote:No layovers for me. I did plenty when I had less money and they're so exhausting.


Funny. Layovers aren't about money for me. I just don't like being in the air for hours on end. At about the five-hour mark I start going crazy. My feet need to touch land.