Long flight or short flights

[Dvc808]

Planning trip in Jan 2015 to WDW and wondering what people usually do or prefer. We are flying from Hawaii. Would you take a long flight about 10 hrs and then short 2-3 hour flight? Or break it into 2 five hour flights or something more evened out. I have myself with DW and 2 ds's.

 

[Gracie09]

It depends on the time of the flights. At night one long one so hopefully everyone sleeps. Day time a longer followed by a shorter but it's really personal preference and cost also is a factor

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Aircraft type also comes into play.

When it's a long flight (such as HNL to DFW) followed by a shorter flight, the long flight is on a wide-body aircraft such as a Boeing 767, typically with 2+3+2 seating in economy.

Most flights between Hawaii and the mainland Pacific coast are on narrow-body aircraft (such a over-water versions of the Boeing 737 and Boeing 757), typically with 3+3 seating in economy.

I vote for a long flight and a short flight. When flying back to the mainland, the long flight will be overnight. It's long enough to provide a chance to get some sleep. And the 2+3+2 seating provides better options for families to sit together without a stranger right next to you.

In first class, it can make an even more difference. For example, on American Airlines, the first class cabin on narrow-body aircraft has typical domestic first class seating, with somewhat wider seats and more legroom than economy. Nice, but still hard to sleep. The wide-body aircraft, on the other hand, have first class rows that are much further apart, with seats that flatten to 180 degrees for sleeping.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's really hard to answer this question. Personally, I'd chose the flight on my airline of choice with the shortest total flight time, fewest stops, and the best aircraft configuration. The hours for each leg wouldn't matter for me. You're getting a redeye somewhere along the way.

There are airlines which fly widebody planes from Hawaii to the mainland (such as AA and Delta with a 2-3-2 configuration on the Boeing 767-300, Hawaiian Airlines with a 2-4-2 configuration on the Airbus 330-200).

 

[LadyBeBop]

Since you're flying in January, I'd also take weather into consideration.

Winter weather won't be a consideration in Hawaii or Orlando. It's where you have to change planes that could be a problem. And there has been winter weather problems this winter in places where you wouldn't see winter weather problems (Dallas, Atlanta).

Given a choice between Los Angeles and Atlanta for a layover, I'd take Los Angeles. Or I'd take Las Vegas over Dallas. Chances of bad weather in Dallas or Atlanta isn't good. But I wouldn't risk it if there's better options.

And I would never do a layover in a Midwest or Northern city (e.g. Chicago, St. Louis). I would do San Francisco though.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

......

And I would never do a layover in a Midwest or Northern city (e.g. Chicago, St. Louis). I would do San Francisco though.

Think again! SFO has many, many weather delays. In fact, weather.com rated it the #1 worst US airport for weather delays in 2013. Fog can be a real problem.

http://www.weather.com/travel/disney/frozen/10-worst-weather-airports-20131125?pageno=11

 

[Dvc808]

thanks for all the suggestions. Havent considered weather but i am now. Dont want to take extra risks if not needed. Leaning towards stop over in LA now. just hope flights wont be to much on my boys.
mahalo

 

[LadyBeBop]

Think again! SFO has many, many weather delays. In fact, weather.com rated it the #1 worst US airport for weather delays in 2013. Fog can be a real problem.

http://www.weather.com/travel/disney/frozen/10-worst-weather-airports-20131125?pageno=11

Hmm. Never thought of fog. Never had any problems flying out of SFO though.

OK, forget SFO. You could probably do better farther south anyway.

 

[disneyag]

I would fly United from HNL to Houston. It's about 8 hours. Then, catch a flight to MCO, which is only another 2 hours 20 minutes.