Two connections

[Sandi]

I'm looking at schedules and prices for flying from Lansing, MI to Orlando in February. On Delta, some flights are Lansing to Cincinnati to Orlando, but the one in my price range doesn't get us there until 3:00. There are other flights that go Lansing to Cincinnati to (Birmingham or Raleigh-Durham or Atlanta) and then on to Orlando. The ones with two connections are a little less costly and would get us there earlier. The return flight is only one connection.

The only experience I've had with more than one connection is when traveling overseas. They weren't bad experiences.

Is it just asking for trouble to have more connections? I don't really care how early we have to leave and I only minimally care how long it takes to get there. But, every minute at WDW is valuable to us, so getting there two or three hours earlier is a bonus.

Note: I know I could drive to Flint, Grand Rapids, or Detroit and have done that before. But, Michigan roads in February are a gamble. I also know about Allegiant to Sanford, but the prices are at $400 RT for our timeframe.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[bavaria]

I fly every two weeks, and simply won't do two connections. I'd rather drive then connect twice. The length of the day, the chances of something going wrong are too great.

To me, if it's a 2 hour drive or less, or $400 or less, I'll do one connection. (I do understand your dilemma with driving though. How abuot flying into Tampa and driving from there - does that reduce connections/cost?)

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Since Cincinnati and Atlanta are Delta hubs, most likely you will be changing planes there. I highly doubt you would have to change planes in Birmingham or Raleigh-Durham. You'll just stay in your seat while some passengers going to either Birmingham or RDU get off while other passengers going to Orlando get on.

If you can swing it in your budget to do the one connection with no stops, I would do that. If you're looking at saving money and the time factor isn't that big a deal, then go for the flight with the stop.

 

[Ms. Belle]

I also wouldn't do two connections, especially through ATL. I have to take connections whenever I travel and do my best to avoid ATL; there is always some type of delay, weather, a ground stoppage, it's not worth the aggravation anymore. I try to go through Cinci on Delta and DFW on AA.

 

[stage manager]

I found these kinds of flights too when trying to book our October trip from IND. Some of them connect through wierd places like HVL, PNS, or JAX. These are all small airports, and chances are that the RJ you fly in on is the RJ you will fly out on. Making double connections can be a pain, but through these small airports it shouldn't be too horrible. I buy four tickets, so price matters, I will take the inconvenience. I wouldn't double connect through ATL and CVG going down (though that is what I am doing coming home) However, I am in no rush to get home and that saved me $200. Double connections through the smaller airports shouldn't be as bad though.

 

[safetymom]

I fly a lot also and sometimes need to have 2 connections. I haven't had any problems. I prefer non stop or 1 stop. I also haven't had any problems connecting through Atlanta.

BTW, Jackonsville is not that small of an airport. I have flown into there and had no problems.

 

[KLAIT]

Since we live in a very rural area that is only serviced by 1 airline and their airlink, we almost always have to have 2 connectios to get a ticket price below $400.00. Knock on wood, we have not really had any problems...except from our home airport due to weather...also from Michigan.

 

[Sandi]

It is so helpful to hear your experiences. I wasn't aware that ATL is problematic. I'll have to factor that into the equation, too. Thanks!