WWYD: Fly direct vs. 1 layover at 1/3 the price

Jen&Len · June 2011

We're planning our first family vacation the end of august. To fly direct to our destination (3 hr flight) would cost us $470 per person for the 4 of us (we are buying DD a seat). The flight would be with either Delta/Continental/US Airways.

Southwest has a sale now where it would come out to $160 per person with a 2 hour layover, making the trip somewhere around 6 hours total. Each leg of the trip would be a little under 2 hours.

DS will be just shy of 3 and DD will be around 14 months at the time. Is the huge price difference worth it or will we be totally stressed out with the layover.

velina · June 2011

We aretaking Southwest up on this offer! We think my DD will do better with getting off the plane for a while just to stretch and walk around.

KathrynMD · June 2011

How long is your layover and how does it coincide w/ your kids nap times and how much driving before and after the flights? Is it going to overall lenghten your trip significantly?

I know people always say to go direct, but eh, the nice thing about layovers is you get a chance to stretch your legs and move around. One a short flight like that, I don't the layover vs. no layover is that big a deal.

azcobride · June 2011

I always strive for no layover when possible because layovers can add un-wanted complications (missed connections, lost luggage, etc). However, on our trip last month, it was unavoidable and we had a lay over. It actually worked out well because there were no complications and it gave our LO a chance to run around and play (if you have a layover in Milwaukee, that airport is the BEST for little kids- play areas everywhere and super nice family restrooms).

That is a pretty significant price difference, I'd be tempted to just risk a layover.

Jen&Len · June 2011

KathrynMD:

How long is your layover and how does it coincide w/ your kids nap times and how much driving before and after the flights? Is it going to overall lenghten your trip significantly?

I know people always say to go direct, but eh, the nice thing about layovers is you get a chance to stretch your legs and move around. One a short flight like that, I don't the layover vs. no layover is that big a deal.

It's around a 2 hour layover. I guess the naptime will depend on what time we fly out, but if we fly out in the early morning, it won't. It will extend the trip overall from 3hrs to 5-6 hrs. It's only a 20 minute drive to the airport on both ends.

KathrynMD · June 2011

yeah - I'd do the layover and save the money. That's a nice amount of time to run around and get some food.

EastCoastBride · June 2011

I'm an "avoid layover" person and when you're talking a 2 hour vs 3 hour trip, I guess I don't see the need to extend your trip to stretch your legs.

If money were super tight, I might opt for the layover. But if I could avoid it I would.

CMDR513 · June 2011

I'd do the layover. We had a layover in Chicago both ways from Philly to San Diego. The 1st layover was 2 hours and the 2nd one was supposed to be 45 minutes but ended up being 3 hours due to inclement weather. If we would've had a non-stop flight, our plane would not have made it into Philly that day as many flights were cancelled. DS did well with the layovers- we ended up getting a bite to eat, and he had his portable DVD player with him.

jamie.renee · June 2011

I would do the layover. I have flown several times alone with my kids (most international though) and every time we had to have a layover because there were no direct flights. As long as it isn't a 30 minutes one again (that I will NEVER book again) then it's fine. We go find our gate then find a place to get a snack, use the bathroom, or stretch their legs that is close to our gate. The 30 minute layover was a nightmare. The flight was late leaving the first place so I literally had to run to the other gate with 2 kids and a ton of stuff to catch the last flight to Germany that day. To me 2 hours is a good amount of time for a layover.

yale · June 2011

I'd do the layover. We've done it several times with DS on our lap without major trouble. Just go prepared with snacks/drinks and some new little toys. Use your layover to get the wiggles out.

sourapplemartini · June 2011

Definitely do the layover. We flew with the kids a few weeks ago and the layovers were awesome.

ryry1977 · June 2011

I would go the cheaper route. We flew last time with Cedric and did a lay over and it worked out well. He was able to run around and get some real food.

Mrs.0428 · June 2011

For $1,240 savings...I would take the lay over. If it was only a couple hundred dollars more then I would say it would be easier to fly direct, but $1,240 is a good chunk of change that could be used on something else during your vacation.

Jen&Len · June 2011

Thanks...I think we will go the layover route. That price difference will pretty much pay for our rental house for the week. Plus DH and I are big babywearers so if the kids do get tired or rowdy during the break, we can just throw them on our backs.

CountryatHeart · June 2011

I personally hate layovers and won't ever do one again no matter what the cost. Before DD was born, we took a trip. Our layover was supposed to be 2 hours. When we landed they informed us it would only be 30 minutes, and we had to literally RUN from our gate, to the shuttle, to the other side of the airport, and barely made it onto our plane in time. Then when we got to our destination, DH and I went to get our bags, and we waited...and waited...and waited. No bags- they'd accidently left our luggage on the other plane, and it went on to it's next destination on the other side of the country! We had to wait almost 2 days to get our stuff, huge hassle.

So I would never attempt another layover, ESPECIALLY not with DD!

greenmtbride · June 2011

I would definitely take the cheaper flight. But I'm used to taking 9 hour trips, so 6 hours sounds like a breeze!

And a layover lets them get out of their seats and work off some energy.

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