How do you decide if you want to take a connection or non-stop flight when traveling with kids?!
Choosing a connection or Non-stop flight while traveling with kids depends on so many factors. Every family and child is different. Only you know what you and your child(rent) can handle on a day to day basis. You need to trust your instincts on what will suit you and your family while traveling. But most of all, it all comes down to your budget, your time, and patience!
To battle it out with a connection VS non-stop heres a breakdown!
What is a connection flight?
A connecting flight will take at least two different planes with two different flight numbers to reach your final destination.
Connection Flights Factors:
Connections are normally cheaper.
You may have to hang out at the airport for a few hours during layovers. If you have a credit card, you can take advantage of your perks for premium lounge areas.
You can explore a second destination for free if the layover is long enough. Flying back home from Australia, we picked a long layover in Hawaii. We saved over $3000USD in airfare and had a small glimpse of Honolulu for FREE!
Depending how long the layover is and you don’t want to camp out at the airport, you may have to purchase a hotel. We used our Expedia rewards points to get our hotel so we spend 0$ on it during a 15 hour layover.
For short layovers, you may not have time to grab a snack or food because you’ll be to busy rushing to your next flight!
If you chose to stay at the airport for a short layover, you’ll end up spending just a few more extra dollars on food and maybe entertainment in the airport.
Taking connection flights means you need to take an extra day off for your holiday because most times you won’t be arriving the same day you leave.
On some connection flights, you may have to collect your luggage at baggage claim after the first flight and check it in again for your next flight if the connection is a different airline.
What is a non-stop flight?
Non-stop flights make no stops. It does not visit another city, and takes you from your origin to your destination in one flight.
Non-stop flights Factors:
You’ll get to your destination quicker.
You don’t have to get off the plane to catch another flight.
Non-Stops usually are more costly when purchasing tickets for a whole family.
Non-stops are sometimes worth the extra money if your flying solo with kids. Outweigh the price of a non-stop ticket and a long layover hotel stay. Instead of having to pay for a hotel during a long layover when traveling with young kids, pay a few extra bucks for the non-stop if the price is about the same when comparing.
If you take a non-stop flight, you'll able to get away for a short weekend.
I hope these factors help you choose whether you'll be taking a connection or Non-stop while traveling!
"If you want to fly, give up everything thats weighing you down."
-Buddha
