Direct or stopover flight: pros and cons
Do you know which flight is right for you? Find out the pros and cons of direct or layover flight and travel in an unforgettable way.
Direct flight or stopover flight? This is the Hamletic doubt that plagues all travelers.
In this article:
For most globe-trotters the main objective is to book the fastest flight, but this may be an unsuitable approach for long-haul travel. Of course, there are many parameters to consider when making this important decision.
If you are planning to go away, prepare to be overwhelmed by a wide range of flight deals: from the direct flight at flight with stopover o multiple stopovers, from the stop over flight at open jaw flight and so on.
The best bonuses
How do you know which of these flights is right for you?
Let's analyze together the pros and cons of flying direct or with a stopover. Here you will find all the information you need about the travel time, the price and the flight strategy Optimal fit for all your needs.
Is it better to fly direct or with a stopover?
First, if this is your first trip and you are not clear on all the terminologies by which airports name different flights, here is a brief summary for you.
What is a direct flight?
Often, the very name of this flight leads us to think that it is a non-stop journey connecting two airports without making any stops. However, this definition is false.
A direct flight, actually, can provide for technical stopovers for fuel and oil refueling of relatively short duration and with the peculiarity that the flight number remains the same.
In fact, one of the conveniences is precisely to be able to stay without having to proceed with a new boarding and/or a new baggage registration.
What is a stopover flight?
A flight with a stopover may involve one or more stops with a duration which may vary from a few hours to a few days. They are usually recommended for intercontinental or long-duration travel because, sometimes, passengers have to change planes, terminals or airports in order to make the second flight. Lest you forget the whole procedure of baggage claim!
In addition, when a stop exceeds the 24h, then we can talk about stop over.
Flight with stopover: Stopover
To make the most of your stopover, you may decide to visit another city before heading to your destination. So you'll take two vacations for the price of one, taking with you the memory of two unforgettable places.
In fact, you have the opportunity to Stay up to 5 nights without paying any additional amount for stopover, if your plane ticket allows you to do so.
If, on the other hand, you decide to change the starting place of your return home, you can take advantage of the benefits of open jaw.
Open Jaw Stopover
To best explain the meaning of this word, I will try to give you an example: you are in Italy and you want to fly to Hong Kong and then fly back to Italy from Tokyo. Basically you're flying from a point A to a point B, then you go to the new point C for your journey of back to point A.
Often, this is a stopover that can be made only under certain circumstances.
In fact, although some airlines almost always allow it, the main condition of open jaw is that the two cities of arrival/departure are in the same "geographical area award".
The pros and cons of flying direct or with a stopover
Now that you have all the information about flying direct or layover, let's analyze together the right strategy to fully enjoy your air travel.
First, Would you rather save your time or your money? Personally, I would like to answer, "Both."
Yet, the truth is that you are often faced with only one of these choices.
When preparing for a trip, especially if the distance to be traveled is very long, it is important to evaluate not only the price of the ticket, but also the Available vacation days or, more generally, the time available (especially if it is a business trip).
Let's see together how to get the most out of each situation with direct or layover flight.
Pros: direct flight
Direct flight is the ideal solution to end the great hassle of having to stop and transit through other connection points during the journey.
This is a flight quick and fast, which allows you to reach your destination in a short time, in a manner That you can start your sightseeing right away.
Speaking of advantages, two of the main ones are:
- Save time to enjoy your stay.
Time is a precious commodity, especially in this age where life is increasingly hectic. This is especially true for business travelers who must organize and manage their schedules to the best of their ability to ensure that each trip is productive.
This explains why many travelers prefer to make their flight as quickly as possible.
In addition, in many cases it may be almost impossible to find an extra day to schedule a stop on the way to your destination. On the other hand, forcing a stopover can even make the journey much more stressful, because it will be more tiring to fit the trip into your already demanding schedule.
- Enjoy greater security, without the thought of baggage or delay
Of course, the convenience has an equally crucial role.
With the direct flight you you will feel more secure: the probability of arrive at your destination on time is very high, in addition you won't have to worry about carrying your luggage around with the risk of lose them and you will have fewer opportunities to be duped by pickpockets.
Cons: direct flight
Speaking of direct flight, let's remember. is not a nonstop flight. It is likely, therefore, that between departure and arrival on vacation, there is a need to make a brief stop for refueling, crew change, boarding and disembarkation of passengers.
As for disadvantages, two of the main cons of direct flight are:
- The highest cost
Although it is considered a choice economically more expensive than the others, it is among the flights chosen for the most. This is because the traveler's perceived convenience leads airlines to value seats on a direct flight as more expensive than competing seats on layover flights.
- Impatience
Also consider your level of patience. If it is a long trip without considerable breaks with which to distract oneself, sitting for hours with stiff legs, aching backs, and the prospect of other long interminable hours on the plane might seem like a nightmare.
Often a stopover can also be productive, not just a waste of time. It can be imagined as an investment of your hours to derive pleasure from visiting the city in which you are stopping and dining out at a typical place away from home. So with the direct flight you will probably get to your destination right away, a little fatigued.
Pros: flight with stopover
If you are planning a nice trip to the other side of the world, single- or multiple-stop flight is generally more comfortable compared to a direct flight, even if only in small ways such as Stretching their legs.Â
Considering the advantages of flying via layover, two of the pros to consider are:
- Rest during the break
The most obvious advantage of a stopover is the fact that you can interrupt your journey and have the ability to get off the plane for proper leg and back stretching.
Stopping also means having the opportunity to eat an adequate meal, of enjoy the city where the stopover was made to visit it and get another free excursion in preparation for the next leg of your trip. There are, in fact, many destinations on layover flights that provide quick city guides, and it is easy to get an authentic and rewarding experience in a short amount of time.  Also consider that the work, travel planning and organization in general consume much of your energy, especially when it comes to international travel.
And increasingly it is difficult to find a free moment to yourself, whether before you leave, during the trip, or when you return.
Having a nice break in the middle of your trip (both outbound and inbound) is the perfect opportunity to recover energy.
- Preserving your health
Breaking your trip into more manageable blocks is an opportunity to give yourself a break from the effects of flying (jet lag, stress...).
In fact, thanks to the various stops along your route, you will not only You will explore many different destinations around the world, but you will save even the energy that a long, all-out flight would take out of you. Pure stress for the body!
And if you love the city of your stopover, you can even extend your layover:Â by purchasing a flight with a stopover you have the Ability to stay in the link city from a few hours to several days, to visit it at its best. Even the flight with a stopover can give you the satisfaction you seek from your dream trip!
Cons: flight with stopover
If what you are looking for is to reach your destination as soon as possible, this type of flight is not for you.
As for the disadvantages of flying via layover, some cons to consider are:
-Â Â Â Â Â Increased possibility of transit delays:
Even on the best of days, airports are prone to unexpected delays. Whether it is delayed passengers or the irreversible wrath of Mother Nature, there are a huge number of causes that can cause flight delays e even cancellations.
Stopping mid-trip certainly increases the chances of falling victim to these annoying transit delays. And while airlines and airports will do their best to ensure that every passenger arrives at their final destination with short layovers, delays and cancellations are a sure way to start or end a trip the wrong way.
- The risk of missing a flight
Missing a flight is difficult, but it seems even more stressful in the airport environment-from delays to long check-in lines, from waiting in line to pick up luggage to putting it down.
Although the airline tries to provide in every way (Protecting you and transferring you to other flights) to ease the discomfort, the unpleasant feeling remains.
In addition, if you arrive at your destination, after the transfer, more than 3 hours late or after the cancellation of one of the flights, you can also claim the corresponding financial compensation (Between 250 and 600 euros depending on the distance). E Expenses derived from that delay can also be credited.
Therefore, the advice is always to buy flights with only one airline and arrange the stopovers in a forward-looking way to enjoy the flight with stopovers as well.
- Having to check one's luggage
With this type of flight, you have to take care of your baggage alone. This means you have to carry it with you every time you land and rest it again when you fly. On a direct flight, on the other hand, the airport staff checks your luggage.
You should now have all the facts straight so that you can choose the type of flight that is right for you.
What will be your choice? Do you prefer the direct or layover flight? I leave a comment with your opinion
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