traveling by air

[keishashadow]

Hi Denise!
A direct flight is actually another term for a non-stop flight. The terms ‘direct flight’ and ‘non-stop flight’ are typically used interchangeably A flight that stops in an additional city (prior to the final destination) with no plane change is typically referred to as a ‘through flight’. But yes, either a non-stop or direct flight would certainly be ideal during covid times!

Nonstop flights = one airport to another without stopping.

Direct flights = the flight number doesn't change, airplane may make one — or more — stops

 

[puffkin]

We flew in yesterday. PHL was busier than I was expecting (around lunch time), but it was reasonably easy to stay socially distanced. The only place it felt tight was going through security. Mask compliance was pretty good except for the workers. Our flight on Southwest was about 30-40% full. We had several empty rows around us in every direction. It was GREAT! Most comfortable I have ever felt on a plane!

Arrived in MCO a little after 4 and it was also busier than I thought it would be but not bad. Baggage claim was crazy quick though and people were being fairly respectful. I didn’t see much mask non compliance except at the rental counter by employees. Most had there’s down around necks, but they did have plexiglass barriers.

 

[tstein12]

We flew in yesterday. PHL was busier than I was expecting (around lunch time), but it was reasonably easy to stay socially distanced. The only place it felt tight was going through security. Mask compliance was pretty good except for the workers. Our flight on Southwest was about 30-40% full. We had several empty rows around us in every direction. It was GREAT! Most comfortable I have ever felt on a plane!

Arrived in MCO a little after 4 and it was also busier than I thought it would be but not bad. Baggage claim was crazy quick though and people were being fairly respectful. I didn’t see much mask non compliance except at the rental counter by employees. Most had there’s down around necks, but they did have plexiglass barriers.

We're leaving on Wednesday from PHL and flying on Southwest as well, so it's good to hear your experience. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Hi Denise!
A direct flight is actually another term for a non-stop flight. The terms ‘direct flight’ and ‘non-stop flight’ are typically used interchangeably A flight that stops in an additional city (prior to the final destination) with no plane change is typically referred to as a ‘through flight’. But yes, either a non-stop or direct flight would certainly be ideal during covid times!

NO direct is where the plane makes a stop but you do not get off the plane. Its used interchangeable because people don't know what its true meaning is. A direct flight is from one airport to another, but includes stops in one or more cities along the way. The flight number or aircraft and your boarding pass remain the same, however, until the final destination is reached. You may be able to stay onboard during the stop or, if local regulations call for it, made to disembark with all your carry-on luggage, only to re-board again, re-stow your luggage, and re-take your assigned seat.

 

[DVC-Don]

A few years ago my wife booked a flight for me from Orlando to Albany, NY. She said it was a direct flight. Well, I never got off the plane but it stopped at Raleigh Durham, NC and Baltimore, MD. Long flight time. That's when I learned the difference between direct and non-stop.

 

[JM23457]

A few years ago my wife booked a flight for me from Orlando to Albany, NY. She said it was a direct flight. Well, I never got off the plane but it stopped at Raleigh Durham, NC and Baltimore, MD. Long flight time. That's when I learned the difference between direct and non-stop.

Yeah, I hate learning things the hard way.

 

[wp4lf189]

Anyone got any experience with American Airlines recently???

 

[disneymama8]

NO direct is where the plane makes a stop but you do not get off the plane. Its used interchangeable because people don't know what its true meaning is. A direct flight is from one airport to another, but includes stops in one or more cities along the way. The flight number or aircraft and your boarding pass remain the same, however, until the final destination is reached. You may be able to stay onboard during the stop or, if local regulations call for it, made to disembark with all your carry-on luggage, only to re-board again, re-stow your luggage, and re-take your assigned seat.

Hi Shelly,
I appreciate the explanation. The definition you provided is what is typically referred to as through flight today’s aviation industry. However, I do believe that the 'direct' terminology was utilized more in the past. It is also possible that certain airlines use the term more than others. I should have originally stated: "A direct flight is often used interchangably for a non-stop flight." That was poor phrasing, and I apologize for the confusion.

 

[kaytieeldr]

should have originally stated: "A direct flight is often used interchangably for a non-stop flight."

But as several posters have explained, customers using the terms interchangeably doesn't mean they ARE interchangeable.

A non-stop flight is always direct. A direct flight is virtually never non-stop.

 

[disneymama8]

But as several posters have explained, customers using the terms interchangeably doesn't mean they ARE interchangeable.

A non-stop flight is always direct. A direct flight is virtually never non-stop.

And, again, I apologize for the confusion. I should have rephrased my original post. I wish I could edit it to remove the confusion, however since I can not edit the quote, I'm simply apologizing for my poor phrasing. I do see your point. I was simply stating that nowadays, the terms are honestly used incredibly interchangeably (even if that is not correct.) The term 'through flight' is what is used much more commonly today (and at least officially at some airlines). I work in the aviation industry, and this is just my first-hand experience with the terms. Every single day, my coworkers and I refer to non-stop & direct flights interchangeably both with one another and with passengers. (Granted, there are almost no through flights at my particular airline these days.) It has never created such an element of confusion or controversy until this thread. So again, I do apologize. At this point, I do think the direction of the comments have become counterproductive. This thread was opened to guide people looking for information on airline travel to Disney World now that Covid-19 has truly changed the process in ways that no one could have imagined. The purpose of my first post was to share the particular airlines that I personally think are handling flying during Covid-19 times the most responsibly from a passenger perspective. I would hope that the future comments could continue to prove informative to those looking for pertinent information on how airlines/airports are actually handling flying during this pandemic.
To *hopefully* keep the direction of the comments more informative and productive, I have edited the verbiage of the original post in question.

 

[hsmamato2]

Anyone got any experience with American Airlines recently???

my son who I mentioned in an earlier post was on AA. He had a potential offer to be bumped if needed He didn't get bumped, but it tells you all you need to know about how full the planes are running.

 

[wp4lf189]

my son who I mentioned in an earlier post was on AA. He had a potential offer to be bumped if needed He didn't get bumped, but it tells you all you need to know about how full the planes are running.

Sure does. Thanks

 

[RNCPA67]

Anyone got any experience with American Airlines recently???

Just flew from Joplin, MO by way of DFW to MCO on 7/27 then returned yesterday 8/2. Flights from DFW to MCO were nearly full. Not at all impressed with how American handled the boarding and deplaning process. Same mass chaos as usual, people crowding in the aisle and reaching over your head to stow bags. When deplaning, they made an announcement that it should be done row by row and to stay seated until it was your turn. No one was following this, people jumped up as soon as the plane stopped moving and started clogging the aisle and grabbing carry-on luggage from the bins, there was no enforcement or help from the flight attendants.
Masks are required and compliance seemed decent. No food or beverage service, they hand you a little "snack bag" when you board that contains a small bottle of water, a little pack of pretzels and a hand sanitizing wipe. I do not think the between flight cleaning was adequate, there were still pretzel pieces in my seat on one flight.....makes me doubt the "deep cleaning and sanitizing" they claim to do between flights.
I read an article recently that graded the airlines with letter grades for their response to the pandemic and handling of safety precautions for passengers. American Airlines received an "F" and Southwest an "A". From my experience last week, the grade for American seems accurate.

 

[Gary2T]

Anyone got any experience with American Airlines recently???

We flew American roundtrip from Harrisburg, PA to Orlando (connections in Charolette) 7/8-7/18. Overall, pleasantly surprised at the mask wearing by crew and fellow passengers. Zero food/drink service on our flights. Three legs of the trip they made an announcement about deplaning front to back. Almost everyone adhered to that and the process went quite smoothly.

7/8: MDT was pretty empty. Flight to CLT was on a regional jet with a 1-aisle-2 configuration. We sat 2+2. I think there were only 1 or 2 empty seats on the pane. Conenction time in CLT was tight. By the time we booked it from E to C or flight was boarding. Didn't really notice how crowded the airport was with the limited time. Flight to MCO was a 737, standard 3-3 arrangement. We booked 3 seats together and 1 across the aisle. DW got the single seat and ended up with both seats next to her occupied. Her middle seat-mate was kind enough to bring a box of Cracker Jacks to munch on, chewing with an open mouth. MCO was fairly empty upon landing around 1:30pm. Walked to the front of the APM train and shared the car with one other person. Luggage was already on the belt by the time we got to baggage claim. People there were mostly spread out. Needing to drag kids and luggage back over to the A side to get our rental was a pain though.

7/18: Got to MCO around 8am. Dropped rental in A side, lugged bags over to B side to check. Both legs home on A321's with 3-3 arrangement. We were again booked to sit 3 together and 1 across the aisle. When checing in for the MCO-CLT leg the day before, DW's aisle seat across from us was showing the other two seats as occupied, but the row behind as compleletly empty. We moved her assignemnt back a row. Once everyone was baorded, the 3 seats across the aisle from the rest of us were all taken, and DW had an entire row to herself in the next row. We had a 2hr45min layover in Charolette. CLT was packed this day. If it wasn't for everyone wearing masks, I would have thought it was a normal busy day there. On the CLT-MDT leg DW had an empty middle seat, with someone else at the window. This was the only leg that an announcement wasn't made about deplaning from front to rear. It turned into the typical scene where everyone stands up and tries to get off at once.

 

[tnolan]

And for those who don't yet know it, the Tri State Quarantine in Fla is over!