Nonstop flights are almost always an easier option for travel.
Nonstop flights are the best for travelers. Rare exceptions might be when a connection gets you to a smaller, closer airport (Reagan International Airport vs. Dulles International for Washington DC) or you don’t want to drive to the closest major airport. (For example, if you live south of San Jose, you may not want to drive to San Francisco International Airport.)
And yes, sometimes a flight’s cost is a huge difference.
In the past, however, I’ve often gone with a connection at a better time or with better seats, especially if the connecting airport is one I like. And sometimes, frequent flier miles matter.
Having said all that, it seems lately like the premium on nonstop flights is increasingly worth it, especially this summer.
- One flight versus two is half the chance of something going wrong. And if the delay is on the first flight, you might miss the connection. Summer has plenty of thunderstorms in the US, and if you’re heading to Europe, there’s a weekly strike.
- Planes are full right now. Airlines will always put you on the next available flight if you miss a connection, but the operative word is next available. Summer is always busy, but this year, as Americans either decide they aren’t worried about COVID or they just are tired of staying home, there are a lot of completely sold-out flights.
- There are all kinds of new self-help apps. However, they’re a work in progress, and I have heard customer service lines are longer.
- Airport concessions also still don’t seem to be staffed at a level they were pre-COVID. Personally, there are airports, like Chicago, where I enjoy some of the concession stands. But the lines have been longer than I remember. Sometimes, they’re “choose whether to get food or make your flight” long.
- Even airport lounges, a great way to relax during a long connection, are crowded. For example, United Clubs often have that “No day passes accepted” sign. And American Express Centurion Club has stopped allowing two free guests for members.
Nonstop flights alone are no guarantee of avoiding travel delays.
On a recent trip to New Orleans, my husband used an airline voucher to take a daytime connection and ended up delayed five hours in Dallas. I took a redeye nonstop that landed slightly earlier than scheduled. But then, when I had a trip to Dallas and took a flight at a slightly inconvenient time, a combination of thunderstorms and crew issues meant I got delayed over four hours.
But traveling and expecting on-time flights always rolls the dice. Taking nonstops will at least mean you roll them less often.
READ ALSO:
Travel mistakes: 20 of the worst to avoid – Part 1
Travel mistakes: 20 of the worst to avoid – Part 2
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
