Planning for your international trip can be quite a hassle. The never-ending checklist of first choosing the type of flight, then the airlines and deciding your hotel budget can wear you out. To make your travel planning process easier, here is the comparison between a direct & a via flight.
On top of every checklist for travelling is buying a suitable flight ticket. International flights can be quite tricky. Usually, you have to choose between a direct or a Via flight. A direct flight, also known as non-stop flight makes no stop in between the two destinations. A via flight has 1 or more stops in between. Some of these flights may require you to disembark from the plane when it makes a stop and board another flight to travel to your final destination. Sometimes the number of
To compare better and help you choose, mentioned are the key differences between direct and via flights.
- Duration of the Flight
If your travel plans are time-sensitive, then a connecting flight may not be your cup of tea. Via flights require you to deboard your flight at least once and board a new flight. This can take a lot of time depending on the airport rush and the intermediate destination. Moreover, you may have to wait at the connecting airport for hours or sometimes days for your next flight. Direct flights are time-sensitive and hence best for business travel as well. Since there are no stops and layovers in between, you can save you a substantial amount of time and also save you a day on your international trip.
- Flight Fare
The cost of a flight is often the deciding point for travellers. Here, Via flights have the upper hand since they are cheaper than a direct flight. This is mainly since direct flights save time, which is essential for a time-sensitive trip or business travel. Another thing to keep in mind while looking at the cost of the flights is comparing how much money you are saving when you sign up for the extra hours of flying a multiple-stop flight. Moreover, factor-in the other associated costs of stoppages and layovers, such as visa fees (for international flights), eating at airports, etc.
- Travel Program Benefits
Airmiles or travel loyalty programs have long hands when it comes to international travel. But often their benefits are measured by the cost and the distance or miles covered by your flight. It could be that your direct flight costs a little more than a via flight, but the multiple-stop flight covers a much greater distance. Thus, these flights may give you more miles for the lesser amount of money spent on the ticket. And when travelling, miles is a valuable currency that must be factored in when choosing between the two types of flights.
- Level of Convenience
With a non-stop flight, you have the advantage of having just one flight number, which makes it less confusing than a Via flight that has two or more flight numbers to manage throughout your travel. However, a direct flight can prove to be highly tedious and boring for some. A multiple-stop flight allows you to disembark from the plane after a few hours which some travellers may actually prefer. Your choice will largely depend on your travel preference, your age, and your luggage, etc. For instance, senior citizens might prefer to take a direct flight rather than picking a multiple-stop flight and walk at airports.
Choosing Between the Two
Both the options have their own pros and cons. While some work in favour of multiple-stop flights, few other points mentioned above make direct flights the obvious choice. To ensure you choose the best ticket, it is best to look for all the option and select the right one. For instance, a Delhi to New York or London to Mumbai flights time table will give you all the options of flight that also show the stops, number of hours of layover, miles you can earn, and the ticket’s cost. Choose one that offers you maximum benefits according to your travelling preference.