Air Travel Dilemma - Opinions Wanted

[Audray]

We'd like to get opinions on which of the following two options is better;

1. Fly out of our local airport to Orlando with a two hour stopover

2. Drive two hours to a major airport for a direct flight

For sake of argument, the tickets cost the same as does the parking at the airport. So expense isn't the issue.

We have two children 2 & 4.

On the side of local airport is that when we land, we are about 10 minutes from home. We don't have to worry about traffic or weather between the major airport and home. Bags are fast because it is such a tiny airport, and it is a five minute walk to our car. We wouldn't have to wake up too early to catch a morning flight. Clearing security is much faster.

On the side of major airport is that we have a number of options, all direct flights, for when we leave and arrive home. Less concern over flight cancellations, and the impact they have on getting us home (we had an issue a few months ago at MCO where our flight was cancelled due to mechanical issues and we had to sit in the airport for 6 hours). It seems like the flying time is less (I imagine that you average a higher airspeed when you go direct instead of landing and taking off again).

So which would you prefer? While writing this, I really lean toward the local airport - but I'm worried that if we have flight troubles, we could be in for a repeat of last time. These carriers don't fly into our local airport more than 2-4 times a day from the hub cities, and I'd hate to get stranded.

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Just my 2 cents, but I think I'd go with the major airport and direct flights. I'd like the idea of not being at the mercy of the airlines to make connecting flights.

 

[cogero]

I would fly direct.

 

[ccgirl]

What about flight times? I would probably go with the airline that has the best times for my family. Also, I think I would rather be in my car for 2 hours rather than stuck at an airport. Just my two cents.

 

[kristinw3girls]

Trust me- drive the 2 hours! If you take the layover, and there are problems and flight is delayed, you may miss your connecting flight and could have to wait a VERY long time to catch the next flight to your small airport. Been there-done that- won't do it again!!

 

[AJRitz]

With two little ones? Drive to the major airport and fly direct. No contest.

 

[bear_mom]

We prefer to drive for a direct flight. Much nicer. Too many potential problems with connecting flights. We also prefer the first flight out in the morning, so if there are problems, we have lots of options for getting to the World.

Emily

 

[la_la]

I'm with agreeance with everyone else so far--drive and go for the direct flight!

 

[pixidustmom]

If given the choice direst for sure. Now we didn't get that last time and this time I hope we will. We got laid over last time on our return trip. That really "sucked". It wouldn't have been a bad stop as we were to stay on the same plane but then they came on and said that we had to get off and wait for another one. Even though they used ours for a different flight. I wasn't very happy that they bumped us all off. My grandson had just fallen asleep and it wasn't a good time waking him up.