How important is a nonstop flight to you when making your airline reservations?

[Liz]

I'm looking at the schedules and we can get a nonstop flight that arrives at 4:13 PM or a flight that's not direct that arrives at 2:37 PM. I really like nonstop but I like getting there ASAP too. I'm sure it will ultimately depend on which has the cheaper fare. My dates aren't available yet, I'm just checking to see what's out there.

Thanks!

 

[Sammy]

For me personally, I would rather take the later non-stop flight. I really hate to fly and for me, the worst part is the descent. To have to do that more than once would kill me! I'll even pay a little more $$ to fly non-stop vs. stops/connecting.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Nonstop is very IMPORTANT to us! Especially when I compared the price difference. Out of DFW, connecting flights dont offer as big of a discount as in most markets.

Also you risk missing your connection, and if it's due to weather, the airline does not have to pay your lodging. Matter of fact, just 2 weeks ago when leaving MCO there was a severe T-storm. We sat at the terminal on the plane (the ramp still connected) for 2 hours. There were several passengers that were going to miss their connections in Dallas and not wanting to be stranded in Dallas overnight opted to get off the plane and return the next day.

I was so glad I had paid the extra $10 per ticket for a NS. I know it can be much more of a savings for others, but for us that's all it was.

 

[beattyfamily]

VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!!

#1 Priority for our family!!!!!

I'd pay more for non-stop over cheaper fare. I'd also go at weird times to avoid any stops!!

#1 Priority for us!!!!!

 

[mishoe01]

For me the cost is usually the deciding factor, but I usually travel alone. I prefer to spend less $ on the flights to be able to do more on the trip itself.

 

[LTGRAMPS]

Non-stop only. Its bad enough sitting around an airport for two hours because of security screening, I am not sitting around for a connecting flight that might not even get there. With most of the resorts having late check-in, a late arriving flight isn't to bad. Besides, the hectic day of traveling leaves me with no desire to head to the parks, a nice drink and poolside chair is a lot better.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I prefer non-stop flights as well... it seems like a waste to spend part of my vacation waiting for a second flight in another airport

 

[momsully]

We almost always go nonstop as we have two boys ages 5 and 2. It is much easier not to change planes on the way. However, if the price is right we will change planes. This December we are all going to Orlando for $508 total for four tickets. We have to change planes in Atlanta but for the savings that is worth it. We would not be making this trip as we just went in March if the tickets weren't so cheap!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I would almost ALWAYS choose a nonstop flight even if it meant getting to the airport a few hours later. We have always flown nonstop until our last (me and spouse only) trip which was to Jamaica- that had one connecting flight and we HATED it. I can't even imagine how bad it would have been with the kids and more luggage.... it let us know that we will NEVER fly other than nonstop with our entire family...

 

[n2mm]

NON-Stop flights only for us. We will pay the higher fare for non-stop if we have to. With our flight only being 2 hours it's not worth changing planes.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

The first time my children flew (we went to WDW, of course!), we had one stop each way. I was completely stressed out worrying if we'd miss the connecting flights or if our luggage would be lost in transit, and the kids grew really sick of sitting - either on the plane or in the terminal. The worst part was dealing with the changing air pressure on double the takeoffs and landings: my ears are very sensitive (they hurt driving up & down hills), and I was in a lot of pain by the time we landed that last time. In fact, I ended up developing labyrinthitis, and I have no desire to try that again!

Luckily for us, TMA came to Syracuse - it is the only airline in our area that offers nonstop flights, and also happens to be the cheapest alternative as well. Unless I could save a huge amount of money, I wouldn't even consider anything else.

 

[gigi1313]

i'm willing to pay more (and stay at a value resort to make up the difference if necessary) in order to fly non-stop...

as far as arriving later... it wouldn't matter... nonstop is of prime importance!

 

[DebbieB]

I've flown probably close to 50 trips both business & pleasure and I have never had a connecting flight! One benefit of USAir in Pittsburgh, although that will probably be changing. One time I went to Las Vegas on a charter and we stopped in Cincinnati but did not have to change planes. Otherwise, all non-stop.

A couple of weeks ago, I had my first flight on a prop plane! I swore I would never fly in a propeller plane but I had to make a business trip to Rochester NY and that was all that was available on the way up (got a regional jet for the return). Wasn't that much different, I actually liked the prop plane better than the regional jet. The rj was 1 & 2 seating, the plane seemed really narrow and closed in (the prop plane was 2 & 2).

 

[Sirius]

Non-Stops are great...if you have them. There isn't a non-stop to MCO from here. I could drive three hours and take a non-stop out of Nashville but that kind of defeats the purpose.

However, I love to fly, and I think airports are some of the most interesting places on earth.

 

[fac]

with two girls ages 5 and 3, I am willing to pay more for non-stop

 

[sgtdisney]

It is non-stop for us whenever possible. Luckily here in Chicago we have a few airlines (and two airports) to pick from that have non-stop service to just about anywhere including Orlando. My wife is a nervous flier as some others mentioned and the one take off and landing per day is all she says she can handle. When you look at the flights look at your total travel time. I would rather fly for 2 hours and get there 1 1/2 hours later than spending 5 or more hours enroute with connecting time, etc. Plust every connection there is the potential of misplaced luggage or missed connections.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I much prefer non-stop, but have taken layover flights a couple times when the airfare was much cheaper. It's gotta be a really good deal though!

For our trip this coming December there are 10 of us going, with two kids and a 20 month old so we decided non-stop only. That makes our only choice out of Cleveland Continential, but on the up side I only have to keep checking one airline for pricing.


Lisa

 

[vhoffman]

We live in Austin, TX, and there's very few direct flights from here to anywhere. Just about all Austin flights fly to a hub and connect. Well, we just drive to the hub--usually Houston, San Antonio, or Dallas, and take the non-stop from there. Actually, its much cheaper that way. You really pay a premium for those connecting flights. We stay with relatives in Houston or Dallas so there isn't much cost assoicated with the trip. Usually we leave our car with the relatives, too, raher than paying long-term parking. With kids its the ONLY way to fly. We recently made a trip to Hawaii (fantastic) and had a direct flight on Continential, 8 hours total, the price was not the cheapest and not the most expensive. We could have gotten tickets for about $100 less, a savings of $400, which is substantial to my idea. However, the connections were just absurd. Several had a 10-12 hour layover in Los Angeles. What's a person supposed to do all that time? I guess we'd get a room at the airport hotel, thus negating any savings. Other connecting flights allowed less than 45 minutes to connect. Come on! Usually flights are starting to pre-board 45 minutes prior to flight time. You'd be SOL if your flight was delayed by even 5 minutes. As it was, our flight to Hawaii left Houston at 9:30 am Houston time, and arrived at 2:30 pm Hawaiian time. Perfect on both ends. We didn't have to be at the airport at some ridiculously early hour, and we arrived with enough of the day to get settled and enjoy the day. Coming back was a delight, too. We left Honolulu at 10:30 pm, which gave us another whole day in Waikiki. We slept on the plane and arrived 9:30 am Houston time with plenty of time to drive back to Austin in the daylight. Especially on the return flight home, when you've got kids, once everyone is settled in and sleeping or engaged in some game, you don't want to go through all the hassle of re-arranging yourselves on another flight. Believe me, the flight does matter! It sets the tone for the vacation. You can arrived refreshed and raring to go, or drug out, smelly, in a bad mood, and it goes downhill from there.

 

[sorchamac]

Originally posted by Liz
I'm looking at the schedules and we can get a nonstop flight that arrives at 4:13 PM or a flight that's not direct that arrives at 2:37 PM. I really like nonstop but I like getting there ASAP too. I'm sure it will ultimately depend on which has the cheaper fare. My dates aren't available yet, I'm just checking to see what's out there.

Thanks!

I wouldn't book anything BUT a nonstop. Period. Too much time wasted, too much risk of something going wrong (missing connections, etc.....).

Sorcha

 

[goofy4tink]

For the 3 hr. flight from Boston...only non-stop. By the time you add up the 2 hrs waiting at the airport, then the 3 hrs fly time, I just don't want to add another stop and go into the mix!!! I've always been able to find a decent fare at the right times for us.