Flight times

[sunlver]

When you fly for leisure, what time do you fly? Do you prefer mornings over afternoons, afternoons over evenings? Or, do you pick what ever is cheapest.

We are going on a cruise in 3 weeks. We are flying into Ft Lauderdale the day before the cruise to spend the night with my parents, then drive down to Miami. I picked the 5:45am flight I dont know what I was thinking when I booked our flight We do live close to the airport, I would say about 5-6 miles away. The bad part, or should I say the hard part is i have 3 kids, 2, 7 and 12. We will be waking them up like at 3:30 or so. We will take a cab/shuttle to the airport. I would never ask anybody to drive us at that hour Now that the time is getting closer, I dont think that 5:45am flight is such a hot idea.
Im always one for getting my money's worth of something. You know, earlier flight, more vacation time etc...The older kids will understand. Im not too sure that my 2 yr will know why mommy's waking her up in the middle of the night.

 

[N&B'smom]

We pretty much always pick the earliest flight possible. We're going to Disney in Sept and our flight leaves at 7:30. We're going to the Bahamas in Nov and our flight leaves at 7:30 again. We prefer getting to our destination as early as possible!! Then the vacation can begin!!

Shelby

 

[RUDisney]

It depends on the cost and the number of stops between locations. For instance, on our last vacation, we left at 6:45 a.m. to go to Punta Cana. That flight was direct and just $.70 more than the flights that stopped in Miami first.

When we went to UO in March, we left at 6:30 p.m. This was done to maximize our park time. We got to our hotel at 11:30 p.m., were asleep by 12:30 and had 5 full days in the parks.

We usually leave on Friday night and stay at an airport hotel when we go to WDW, again to maximize our park time.

So, it really depends. Oh, and I won't take a flight home that flies in very late if we land in PHL or NY because I typically have to drive home (2-3 hours) but I will book a flight that lands after 11:00 p.m. if I'm landing in my home town airport.

Does that answer your question, or make things muddier?

Oh, and I've learned that with my kids and an early flight, they both need to take bonine before we get on board. They don't get motion sick unless they're tired and getting up hours before normal usually = tired.

 

[4nana]

We always try to fly early morn 6, 7, 8am, so we can arrive at our destination asap and let the good times begin . Live an hr from AP, and needing to arrive hr + early, so usually makes for an very early morn rise. Our last flt was to Colorado and we pd a little xtra for non stop. We drive to AP and leave car in long term.

Cruising out of Balt is the best, as we're an hr away and can drive to port, however if Fl port or otherwise, we'd do as you are and fly in the night before so we can unwind, relax and not be stressed about being delayed.

Bless your heart, with little ones, I admit it would be more difficult and I'd probably choose a later flight. Best wishes... if early departure with kids doesn't work, there is always a next time.
Have a safe trip and wonderful relaxing cruise.

 

[Dancin Desert]

I like morning flights the best. First, I like getting to my destination as early as possible. Secondly, the crew AND passengers seem to be in a better mood.

Take care, everyone.

 

[golfgal]

As early as possible on the flight out, as late as possible on the return flight.

 

[Maleficent13]

Mostly, I go whenever the direct flight is scheduled out of my local airport.

 

[Beth76]

It depends. I'm going to Chicago this week and our flight leaves at 12:30. That's the earliest flight we can get without hitting rush hour traffic on the way to the airport. When I went to Mexico there were two flights to choose from so I took the earlier flight (8:30am) so I could get some beach time in the first day. When I went on a cruise a few years ago we took the earliest flight possible because we were flying in the day of the cruise.

Generally, I don't like to take early flights, but if I'm going on vacation (which is usually why I fly) I like to get the most out of my first day.

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

Well as someone who often has to rebook folks because their flights are delayed or canceled for whatever reason...I always suggest flying earlier in the day. It drives me crazy when someone shows up for their 530pm flight that is delayed and they wont get their connection or make whatever plans they have. BUT I HAVE TO BE THERE BY...whatever time. Well, I am sorry I didn't plan to keep you here, but if you had to be there by such and such a time...I would have been on an earlier flight. I fly to England often. When I know my connection out of PHL is at 835pm I leave for Phl at 330. Yes, I sit in the PHL airport for a few hours but I ALWAYS make my connection.
Flying earlier in the day leaves you many more options if things go bad with the flights.

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

When you fly for leisure, what time do you fly? Do you prefer mornings over afternoons, afternoons over evenings? Or, do you pick what ever is cheapest.

We are going on a cruise in 3 weeks. We are flying into Ft Lauderdale the day before the cruise to spend the night with my parents, then drive down to Miami. I picked the 5:45am flight I dont know what I was thinking when I booked our flight We do live close to the airport, I would say about 5-6 miles away. The bad part, or should I say the hard part is i have 3 kids, 2, 7 and 12. We will be waking them up like at 3:30 or so. We will take a cab/shuttle to the airport. I would never ask anybody to drive us at that hour Now that the time is getting closer, I dont think that 5:45am flight is such a hot idea.
Im always one for getting my money's worth of something. You know, earlier flight, more vacation time etc...The older kids will understand. Im not too sure that my 2 yr will know why mommy's waking her up in the middle of the night.

I think that this is a wonderful idea. Yes, it's early, but the kids can always go back to sleep. If you think that's a little too early, what about one a few hours later. That way the kids wouldn't have to wake up so early.

 

[ducklite]

95% of my flights are non-stops MCO to PHL or EWR. I usually leave on an early evening flight after work and return on a later flight in the evening.

Anne

 

[helenabear]

Depends on what I am doing. If it is visiting family/friends I pick whatever time is convenient for everyone. For instance, I am visiting my brother and leaving on a Friday night. We picked the evening flight so my brother can pick us up straight from work

For real vacations, I pick the earliest flight that makes sense. So for WDW, we pick the 7 am flight.

Only once did I pick an evening flight for a vacation and that was because we were going down early to spend the night in a hotel before our cruise. No need for us to pick an early flight for that since we would be stuck at the hotel.

 

[DaisyD]

I always pick a flight between 7am and 9am. Our flights in September are at 7am which means we have to be at the airport at 5:30am. We get up at 4am for that flight. There is no way I'd get an earlier flight then that.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Why wake the 2 year old if you don't need to? Let the older two sleep as long as possible, have their clothes ready to go so they can just slip them on and go. You'll have time at the airport for redoing hair, etc. Then, when everything is in the cab, house checked, etc, Pick up the 2 year old and carry her to the cab. Don't worry about dressing her--let her fly in her pjs!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Right now my airport has only connections through ATL (unless going to DCA). For that reason, we usually try to get on the first flight out before traffic problems and allowing us more opportunities for flights out of ATL if there should be a problem. When we fly back, it's usually the same idea.

I hve to say though, that even with direct flights, I would still pick the first flight out.