Would you do connecting flights with children?

[debdreamsofdis]

I have 4 kids (ages 9, 7, 4 and 2) and have been watching the Southwest website for 2 months now watching for any price drop on a flight to MCO leaving PHX July 26 and returning Aug 2. SW has nonstop flights at the perfect times for us, but for 6 people at $368 per person it add up to over $2000 (we do have one free flight to help with the cost)

I was using Kayak.com to search for a better deal and just recently a roundtrip flight from MCO to PHX popped up for $159 per person on Continental, connecting in Houston. Even with luggage fees, it would save us about $700 on flights.

**well, nevermind now, in the few seconds it took me to write this, the fare is now up to $231.

At any rate, back to my original question, is it worth it to pay less for your flight if you have to deplane with 4 young children (2 of which will likely be in car seats) and have a 1 or 2 hour layover before boarding again or just pay the big bucks to fly nonstop. Anyone have any experience that they could share??

 

[ccgirl]

I have 4 kids (ages 9, 7, 4 and 2) and have been watching the Southwest website for 2 months now watching for any price drop on a flight to MCO leaving PHX July 26 and returning Aug 2. SW has nonstop flights at the perfect times for us, but for 6 people at $368 per person it add up to over $2000 (we do have one free flight to help with the cost)

I was using Kayak.com to search for a better deal and just recently a roundtrip flight from MCO to PHX popped up for $159 per person on Continental, connecting in Houston. Even with luggage fees, it would save us about $700 on flights.

**well, nevermind now, in the few seconds it took me to write this, the fare is now up to $231.

At any rate, back to my original question, is it worth it to pay less for your flight if you have to deplane with 4 young children (2 of which will likely be in car seats) and have a 1 or 2 hour layover before boarding again or just pay the big bucks to fly nonstop. Anyone have any experience that they could share??

Personally, I only fly non-stop with the children. It is just too much of a hassle to get off, carry the carry ons and stroller and try to keep the kids occupied during the layover. I would rather spend the extra money and get there as quick as possible. However, if it is a difference of $700 I may just have to consider it.

 

[Cherinva]

If the monitary savings wasn't a lot, I would say to keep the non stop flight...but for that amount of money I say do it. I've done layovers with kids and yes, it's more work, but it wasn't that bad. And there's a lot you can do with that kind of savings.

Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[brockash]

I have 4 kids (ages 9, 7, 4 and 2) and have been watching the Southwest website for 2 months now watching for any price drop on a flight to MCO leaving PHX July 26 and returning Aug 2. SW has nonstop flights at the perfect times for us, but for 6 people at $368 per person it add up to over $2000 (we do have one free flight to help with the cost)

I was using Kayak.com to search for a better deal and just recently a roundtrip flight from MCO to PHX popped up for $159 per person on Continental, connecting in Houston. Even with luggage fees, it would save us about $700 on flights.

**well, nevermind now, in the few seconds it took me to write this, the fare is now up to $231.

At any rate, back to my original question, is it worth it to pay less for your flight if you have to deplane with 4 young children (2 of which will likely be in car seats) and have a 1 or 2 hour layover before boarding again or just pay the big bucks to fly nonstop. Anyone have any experience that they could share??

I fly all the time with kids and connections. There's no way I'd pay $700 more just to have the non-stop. Sometimes I think the connections are even better with kids. Breaks up the trip a little bit and lets them out to walk/run around a little. It's really not a big deal at all. I've been traveling, usually alone with my kiddos since they were babies and almost always have at least one connection, occasionally 2. My biggest worry with connecting flights is our luggage making it, although it hasn't been a problem yet. Your 9 and 7 year old will actually be most likely useful, as they can help you out if need be. I'd make sure to take a stroller (I'd do like a sit n stand if possible,) and gate check it. That way, you can just throw those 2 in the stroller when you get off your first plane and go wherever you need to go. If you have a longer layover (like 2 hrs.) I'd hit the bathrooms as soon as you get off, get something to eat and then hang at the gate until about 20 mins. before your flight time. Do one more bathroom break and then it should be about time to board. If you're going to Disney and using Disney transportation, I wouldn't bring the car seats...just more to lug around. If you are going somewhere that you need the car seats; I'd check them with the luggage.

 

[ccudmore]

We've flown all over the world with 3 young kids and do layovers all the time. Never been an issue.

Don't get off the first plane until everyone else is off. That way you're not stuck in the huge crowd of people getting off and won't worry about losing kids in the shuffle. Bring some card games to play and just keep playing them until it's time to get off. Then you can just tuck the cards in your pocket and get off. Also by being the last off the plane, your time in the terminal is shortened.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've never flown non-stop with kids. Have had layovers the last three trips and the upcoming one. First, your 4 year old shouldn't need a carseat on the plane. Actually, the two year old doesn't NEED one, but might travel better with it.

First, get a wheeled bag(s) to put your carseats in. I found ours at Babies R Us, but something like this... http://www.amazon.com/J-L-Childress-Wheely-Seat-Carrier/dp/B000BNKIMQ

Let the older two carry the backpacks that have all the toys/games/snacks for the flights. One adult is in charge of carseats. The other adult is in charge of your carryon (extra clothes, toiletries, etc). Hopefully the carryone has at least a shoulder strap. This person pushes the stroller (if you use one).

Last but not least, I would NOT check car seats with luggage. Ask what it takes to gate check it. Airlines lose (delay) luggage all the time. Not a big deal if you lose clothes, but not having the car seat for the rental car could costs $$$.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I have 4 kids (ages 9, 7, 4 and 2) and have been watching the Southwest website for 2 months now watching for any price drop on a flight to MCO leaving PHX July 26 and returning Aug 2. SW has nonstop flights at the perfect times for us, but for 6 people at $368 per person it add up to over $2000 (we do have one free flight to help with the cost)
**well, nevermind now, in the few seconds it took me to write this, the fare is now up to $231.

At any rate, back to my original question, is it worth it to pay less for your flight if you have to deplane with 4 young children (2 of which will likely be in car seats) and have a 1 or 2 hour layover before boarding again or just pay the big bucks to fly nonstop. Anyone have any experience that they could share??

Others have posted great information about how to handle stops. Looks like your only practical airline is Continental through Houston, doesn't it?

 

[ksloane]

I have 2 daughters and we've done a fwe connecting flights. They aren't ever my first choice (not even when it's just me), but if it's much savings, then yes, I'll choose it.

When we have connecting flights, though we make sure that our carryons are lighter and fewer so that we have less to cart across an airport and keep up with.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Thanks for all the advice. We usually drive from AZ to Disneyland, so figuring out all this flight business is new to us. Unfortunately, the $150 RT fare is gone. Connecting Continental flights are still cheaper than SW, but I'm still not sure how much the hassle of switching planes is worth. I'd be very worried about missing a connecting flight or them losing our luggage. That would not be the way I'd want to start my vacation . And I'm hoping time is still on my side and SW has a sale sometime soon.

I was thinking my 4 year old might be ok without a carseat, but I didn't realize my 2 year old could fly without one too. We would be staying onsite and using Disney transportation, so if we don't need to bring a seat, we probably won't.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Switching planes really isn't a hassle. In fact, my kids used to love breaking up the flying day and seeing new connecting airports. It's all in how you approach the situation.

 

[Lewisc]

SW doesn't offer assigned seats. An "A" BP won't help if your first flight is delayed and the plane has already boarded before you get to the gate. The plane is held. You'll have to take any available seat. The FA might get a volunteer quick enough so an adult can sit next to the 2 year old but even that's not a given.

edited to add looks like the OP is looking to switch from SW to Continental. Continental offers assigned seats. The issue is less likely.

 

[sam_gordon]

I was thinking my 4 year old might be ok without a carseat, but I didn't realize my 2 year old could fly without one too. We would be staying onsite and using Disney transportation, so if we don't need to bring a seat, we probably won't.

I would bring (and use) a car seat for the 2 year old. I'm not concerned about safety, but thinking the 2yo is used to sitting in the seat when traveling. Otherwise, they may get restless and all over the place.

Another tip... if you get a car seat bag, after you put the car seat in the bag, you can put snacks and toys that you will use on the plane in the bag with it.

Just a thought.

 

[homedad]

fly with kids and connecting flights and have never had problem just paln to keep them busy for longer layovers....

 

[CarrieR]

If you won't need carseats at your destination, then your 4yo should be fine with just the lap belt. How much does your 2yo weigh? I would check out a CARES harness for her -- or else bring a lightweight carseat.

Please do not check your carseats, with luggage or at the gate. They are frequently dropped or thrown by baggage agents. The best case scenario is that you have visible damage -- worst case is invisible damage which doesn't show up until the seat fails to protect your child in a car accident. ETA: Here is a video that illustrates that fact very well. The pile on the ground, to the left of the belt? The one the baggage handler keeps throwing pieces at/onto? Yeah, those are carseats. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzmJr1a-BHU

I would definitely take the connection without any carseats. With just one, I would probably still do it as long as the rest of your party will help you wrangle the "stuff." A lightweight seat like a Scenera can easily be bungeed onto an umbrella stroller, making life much easier.

 

[Audray]

We prefer direct flights for our family (2 adults, 2 year old, 5 year old), and are probably willing to pay up to $150 per ticket more for one. Fortunately, we live near a hub for our preferred airline so there are 3-4 direct flights going to MCO on any given day, and I've never seen a material difference in cost between stopovers and directs. Again, this is due to our location and probably isn't the norm.

In our opinion, compressing the amount of travel time to WDW and limiting stress is the key. Airports are busy and intimidating, sometimes you have a short stopover and have to rush to make the connection. I also think that there is a greater margin for error with the luggage, and a greater opportunity for delays since you are waiting for a plane that is coming from another location.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We prefer direct flights for our family

I think you mean non-stop flights.