Why I’ll Sometimes Connect Even Though There’s a Nonstop Fight

This might sound counterintuitive, but sometimes, I’ll purposely book a flight with a connection instead of a much shorter or more convenient nonstop flight. As crazy as this sounds, there are a few logical reasons for doing so, some of which you may not normally think of.

Let’s explore my connecting flight strategy and how I use it to save money and be more productive.

1. Cost Savings

There’s a premium for flying nonstop. Airlines know there is demand for quicker flights, especially between business hubs.

Take, for example, a John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) flight. It will almost always be easier to find a flight between those 2 airports without any stops than a flight with a layover. American Airlines charges upwards of $1,200 in first class between those 2 points on its famed A321T aircraft, but charges $500 or so if connecting through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) or Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).

There are times when the cost of a nonstop flight is marginally different from that of a connecting flight, in which case it might be worth spending just a bit more for the convenience of getting to your destination quicker.

One of the annoying things about choosing a connecting flight and saving money is that longer layovers are often cheaper than shorter ones. If there’s a long layover and you don’t need all that time, it may not necessarily be worth the savings. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of the schedule to see if it fits your needs.

2. Getting Work Done

Sometimes, flights are long, and you can’t get as much work done because of them. While a flight from the East Coast to the West Coast of the U.S. can be around 5 to 6 hours, I can’t make or receive phone calls during those hours, and I need to rely on sometimes spotty inflight Wi-Fi.

With time zone differences and a long flight, you could be almost out of pocket for most of a day. Sometimes, I purposely plan a layover so I know I’ll have time to return phone calls and have a stable internet connection. By having a connection, whether long or short, I can reset, make any necessary calls, and check emails.

3. Breaking up the Journey

Just because there’s a nonstop flight doesn’t mean it’s the best option, especially on long-haul flights.

Take, for example, LAX to Sydney Airport (SYD). That’s a 15-hour flight, which is grueling no matter which class of service you’re in. That flight can seem to go on forever and be uncomfortable, especially if you’re in economy class. By connecting in Honolulu at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), you can break up the journey into 2 segments and get some time to stretch and walk around before boarding another plane to Australia.

Of course, you’ll get to your destination much quicker if you take the nonstop. But if comfort is a priority, the connection might be worth it.

4. Lounges Along the Way

If I break up the journey and stop along the way, I might do it because of a particular airport lounge, such as the American Express Centurion Lounge (accessible with The Platinum Card^® from American Express) or Chase Sapphire Lounge (accessible with Chase Sapphire Reserve^®)

Whether it’s worth stopping for a lounge is up to you, but if you’re going to stop, you might plot your connecting city with an airport with good lounge offerings, such as DFW or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). If there are multiple lounges to choose from, I’ll go lounge hopping and visit multiple spots on a single visit to make the most of my time in the airport.

Better airport lounges offer full buffets or made-to-order food, a staffed bar, fast Wi-Fi, and a place to shower or nap. These are must-haves, especially when breaking up a long journey.

5. Avoiding Red-Eye Flights

Depending on the length of the flight, I may break up the journey into an overnight stay. This is more than just a layover; it allows me to get a full night of sleep in a hotel bed.

When I’m flying from Hawaii to the East Coast, there are no nonstop options during the daytime that aren’t a red-eye. I try to avoid red-eye flights at all costs. I can’t sleep on planes, and with time zone changes, I’m almost always still screwed up when I land. In the case of Hawaii flights, I prefer to take a daytime flight to the West Coast, such as LAX (of which there are plenty), and then continue the next day on a daytime flight to the East Coast.

This allows me to sleep in a hotel, have a regular meal on the ground, and begin adjusting to the jet lag in stages, rather than all at once. For Hawaii flights, I love taking a departure out of HNL in the early afternoon, which lands around 9 p.m. Pacific Time in Los Angeles, and then doing a late afternoon departure from LAX, putting me back at my home airport of IAD around 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Sure, this adds more time onto my journey, but it allows me to get a restful night of sleep and not worry about taking an overnight flight.

6. Good Food Along the Way

If I know I’ll be hungry, I might stop for some good eats! If you’ve flown through LAX, you know the nearby In-N-Out Burger joint with stunning runway views and planes landing. If I’m connecting, LAX is one of my favorite airports because I can get a good burger and some free entertainment!

I know plenty of travelers who will connect for a good restaurant (whether in the airport or not), and it’s sometimes worth making that extra stop if I’m craving a particular meal.

Disadvantages to Connecting

While connecting has some positive aspects, there are some significant downsides. If a flight experiences a mechanical delay or there is weather, I could miss my onward connection. That could force me to spend the night at the airport, or be put on a later connecting flight, which will put me at my final destination far later than I would have planned.

If I’m checking a bag, there’s always a risk that it will not reach my connecting flight. Nonstop flights tend to have fewer lost bags, so they may be the way to go when checking luggage.

Final Thoughts

While it may seem against sensible advice, sometimes, depending on the circumstances, I’ll purposely connect rather than take a nonstop flight. It might be to save money, or I might have plans to work, eat, or rest in a connecting airport or city.