1 stop or no stop

[Oneofthechildlessones]

I am looking at going to the states later in the year and am looking at costs. Obviously it would be nicer if I could get a direct flight but I have seen that if I do at least 1 changeover that it massively changes the cost of the flight.

For example fly to washington £700 or fly to washington via iceland £240 (stop over in airport only 1hr30) I will be flying on my own so no issues with having to placate the children. I will also be fully stocked with a kindle.

So WWYD?

I'd still fly direct if at all possible particularly if you had to stopover on the overnight return flight back to the UK. Its cheap for a reason and cheap does not always mean cheerful.

With no dc in tow, go for the stopover/cheaper option. Definitely.

You'll have a lot more money to spend once you arrive at your destination!

That's a massive price difference! I'd go for it.

One other question: presumably you won't have to change planes and/or airlines? If no, I say do the stopover and save yourself almost £500!

I'd stop, but make sure you can book with the same airline/travel agency (I assume travel agencies would cover you) so that if there is a problem on your first leg your second half will be covered, iyswim. My family and I had a delayed connecting Qantas flight in Australia (to get the last flight out of Brisbane - several other families in the same position) and they held the plane at Brisbane to wait for the incoming flight because it was "their fault" we were in that position. Made the whole thing (slightly) less stressful.

And put a day or two's clothes in hand luggage just in case of disaster. It's a massive saving and definitely worth doing.

Flying out I think it's a lunch time stopover (GMT) and flying back if my maths are correct it's something like 7am (GMT) again for just under 2 hours.