To refuse to take indirect flights with a toddler

[dellacucina]

to destinations where direct flights are readily available but generally more expensive?

That's all really!

[dellacucina]

Ha, and these later messages make me feel I am unreasonable!

[southnownorth]

We are going indirect for the first time to the USA this year, it was half the price of direct flights, but my children are 12 and 17.

No way with a todder, infact I never flew for years with young children as my eldest hated flying.

[DippyAvocado]

It depends how much money you've got! I flew indirect to New York via Toronto. It took longer but was half the price. That was the only way I could afford to go at all so the changing flights didn't bother me.

[SpoonBlender]

I've paid 30% more to go direct in the past. Not unreasonable at all, if you can afford it. DH is being a dick. Does he do any toddler-looking-after during the flight, or just keel over asleep and leave it all to you? Because that's what you should do if you end up losing this argument.

[budgiegirl]

Depends how much money you have surely?

^This.

We’ve flown a few times indirect to Florida, with three DC ( youngest was 3 the first time, so not quite a toddler). It saved £1800 and meant that our holiday budget could stretch to long haul. Couldn’t have afforded to fly direct.

[Purpleartichoke]

I feel very strongly that travel should be as convenient as possible. Direct flights save time and every flight change increases the risk of something going wrong with the trip. I don’t have infinite money, but if my budget can possibly acccomodate a direct flight, that is what happens.

[Namenic]

i specifically choose direct flights for 12hr journey because then I don’t have to deal with baby waking up and going through take off (pressure changes) twice. That said, I haven’t really tried doing indirect flights so I guess cannot give true comparison. I also choose night flights as in my experience toddler sleeps better.

[QwertyLou]

YANBU to insist on direct flights. The one time I flew indirect with my son (4) we nearly missed our connection and they lost our bags!

[SnowsInWater]

With small children I would pay what I had to to fly direct if I could afford it - if your DH insists on indirect and it is not a joint decision I would hand over small child as I got off the plane to transfer, go for a coffee/drink/massage and meet him in the queue to board again. With older kids it would be a family decision - does the money saved mean a few more nights away or nicer accommodation. If so I would put it to a vote. Ultimately though I would have the casting vote 😂

[trojanpony]

I have no children at all and will only fly direct

Yanbu
I hate stopovers and transfers

It’s also nothing like business in terms of cost (£300ish for direct vs £1k plus for business is not the same)

[PineapplePower]

We nearly always fly indirect because it’s at least twice as expensive to go direct. With small kids, it’s fine, actually I’ve convinced myself it’s better .

We take them to a play area to let off some steam, change diapers, have something to eat ... some airports truly are crappy so I usually try to pick decent ones for stopovers.

We have taken to 48-hour city breaks as well, this is a enjoyable way to see more and still save some £££ makes stopovers less stressful.

Very good and comprehensive travel insurance is a must though, so flight changes/cancellations/lost luggage/illness won’t cost you a bloody fortune.

[BarbaraofSevillle]

Depends on the price difference and time difference. Changing plans isn't really that much of a hassle and can save hundreds if not thousands of pounds for a bit extra journey time.

Obviously I wouldn't turn a 2 hour journey into an 8 hour journey to save £50 and/or a small percentage of the cost of the flights, but sometimes flying via a hub airport gives you so many more flight choices so can save loads for just a couple of extra hours or so.

If it's a few hundred quid or more, that's definitely worth thinking about doing, unless you are very wealthy.

[livingthegoodlife]

Just do it. I've flown long haul with a 9 month old on my own with a changeover in Dubai. I've also flown long haul with 3 children under 4 (with husband) also changing in Dubai (note: 20 minutes is not long to change flights and go through security with 3 toddlers!).

I love travelling with my kids. We go to a lot of different places.

[haggisaggis]

When my dc were small dh had air miles available every year which enabled us to go to the US on holiday - but was always indirect flights. Usually 3 planes. Just thought of it as an adventure and got on with it.

[Returning2thesceneofthecrime]

YANBU!

Wish I could say that louder!

[MissMooMoo]

We do it all the time to save money.
Recently did it over Christmas as it was about £1200 cheaper than the direct flight.
It also means that we can fly from London city instead of Heathrow or Gatwick and we live very close to city.
Zurich is a great airport for transfers. They have great play areas and viewing decks for children to watch planes land and take off.

[CatnissEverdene]

With toddlers? Not a chance in hell.

I'd rather stay home.

Even as an adult it's stressful with time delays and luggage issues. I'd always pay for direct travel.

[HotInWinter]

Direct where possible, unless it involves schlepping everything down to London, when 2 flights from a regional airport can often be preferable.

[blackteasplease]

Let me guess, when you get to the flights and change over, he will expect you to do all the toddler wrangling? Maybe he'll habe a nice sleep or watch a film while you entertain you child? And all addition packing stress /requirements caused by the cha ge

[blackteasplease]

Sorry, but the change over will fall to you?

[Firesuit]

For me, direct costs 20% more, business hundreds of percent, it's ridiculous to compare them.

Also, knocking hours off a journey is more of a benefit than having a bigger chair.

[FevertreeLight]

I have no children at all and will only fly direct

Then you severely restrict where you go in the world. The majority cannot be accessed directly from any UK airport.

[dellacucina]

blackteasplease more or less! At the endbof our outgoing flight, the woman sitting behind us tapped me on the shoulder and complimented me on how well I handled the flight on my own with a toddler...!