Direct vs stopover flights with kids

[cymmtptysm]

Hello

We are planning a family holiday to Antalya in August. It has to be during summer holidays as three people in the family are teachers, including myself.

There will be three children in total under 3. Two of which are mine. DD2 will be on my lap.

We have two options for travel:

Option A
Direct flight from Gatwick but it'll be a small plane so it'll be uncomfortable, not much leg room.

Option B
Heathrow flight to Istanbul on Turkish airlines. Connecting flight to Antalya 1hr35 mins later. Bigger plane, more comfortable, includes checked baggage but longer total travel time, plus hassle of switching planes.

We've never taken DDs on a plane before, so I really don't know what would be the better option. My SIL who's taken her son abroad says direct flight is better even though it's a small and uncomfortable plane, but DH is promoting a connecting flight as it will be Turkish airlines.

Those with experience travelling with young children, please advise on the better option!

@cymmtptysm On your lap is standard. Or your husband’s!

God knows.

We flew to Dalaman last year just the two of us on EasyJet and he absolutely hated it.

I was pregnant too but we managed.

He reckons Turkish airlines is more comfortable and worth the hassle of an indirect flight.

Is it worth booking an extra seat for DD2? She'll be 10 months.

Well DH seemed obsessed with extra space,
so buying a seat for the baby seemed an obvious way to get some more! But you’ll be perfectly ok with them as a lap infant especially if you can take turns with DH. I’d only view it as a must if you’re flying solo or DC is over 18 months.

@cymmtptysm There are other airlines who fly to Dalaman aren't there?
We usually fly Jet2 and can't fault them.

In any case if you husband needs extra space why doesn't he book an extra legroom seat for himself? DH is very tall and has always done this.

I've heard good things about Turkish Airlines business class, but if you're in economy then one economy flight is very much the same as the next?

but if you're in economy then one economy flight is very much the same as the next?

TBH that was my experience of flying with them. It was just a bog standard 737.

@RampantIvy I think so. I don't remember which other airlines, though.

Has anyone flown with Corendon?

Turkish Airlines have direct flights from Gatwick to Antalya every day. These flights have Business Class as well as Economy. Are they fully booked for the dates you want or too expensive? I have no choice but to use a lot of connecting flights and wouldn't rely on 1hr 35 minutes as a realistic transfer time even for a solo traveller.

Are you sure you want to go to Turkey in August with 3 toddlers! The heat will be unbearable. Is May/October half term not an option?

Which UK airport are you wanting to fly from?

Direct flight and book everyone seats - the person who wants the extra leg room can spill over into the former lap child's space.

Blimey, I thought you were going to Australia or something. It's just a couple of hours, give the kids an ipad and fly direct. Much less hassle than getting everyone packed and moved again for a change and it will be quicker.

Direct but book a seat for your under 2

I regularly fly Turkish when going to see DH in the Middle East. Where there are fewer direct flights. They are good but if it a week in Antalya. It's Easy Jet or Jet 2 all the way!

TA generally fly narrow bodies to IST, last time we went it was a 737-800 out at an A320 neo back. So although you might be have a bit more leg room than one of the budgets it's not going to make a huge amount of difference to your comfort. Even if they put a wide body on it will be configured for short hall. More importantly the new airport is HUGE, not just huge it's vast. If you're changing from international to domestic (not done it) but there's going to be a distance involved. I'd go with the direct budget for sure.