Changed Flight...WWYD?

aloisk57

FI and I booked our HM flight to Paris a few weeks ago.  We got a direct flight that left Detroit at 6pm and arrived in Paris ast 8am.  We wanted to get in early so we could have at least a half day there the first day.

Recently I got an email from Delta saying that our flight changed...by THREE hours!!  It now leaves at 9pm and gets in at 11am.  So once we get off, go through customs, get our luggage, get on the train, and find the hotel it will probably be around 3pm...totally wasted day.

We can switch flights to one that arrives earlier, but it won't be direct.  My fear with a connection is that we will miss our second flight and then have NO days in Paris.  I found one flight with a 5 hour connection and it gets in at 6am to Paris.  I'm not worried about a long day of flying because we can sleep a lot on the plane.

WWYD?  Keep the direct flight and maybe try to haggle them for some first class tickets?  Or go with the 5 hour layover and get there super early like we wanted? 

dazyabbey

We just got back from Europe 3 weeks ago and it was a long day the first day. We ended up landing around 10am and getting to our hotel about 1pm. I think this was perfect because we were able to check in and rest a little bit before getting started. But I think the direct flight would be worth losing a couple hours in Paris. How long are you going to be in Paris total? Also even if you are planning on sleeping on the plane that doesn't always work out very well. That was my plan but with all the people moving around and the stewardess' constantly doing drinks and food we weren't really able to sleep that much.
If I were you I would just keep the original flight and come in a bit later. I think you won't miss as much as you think. You will still have time to visit the sights and see some things and then you could always do a night river cruise or something and see a lot more. A lot of the go in tourist sites close around 6 or 7 but there is still a ton of stuff to do the rest of the night. So you won't realize you are missing that much and with a crazy night flight you will be able to go back to your room that night and get a good nights sleep!

Summer2011Bride

I would probably keep the flight just because I also worry about missing a connecting flight. if that happened, I feel like you'd be in even more of a hassle, plus I would rather just get on the plane once and get there without having to change plans.

Many people do non-direct flights though and some destinations require that, so it can be done. I guess I'd try to decide if I wanted convenience more or getting to my destination earlier more (with the chance that you might miss a connecting flight. With a 5 hour layover, that probably won't happen though).

HobokensFury

Honestly in the grand scheme of things 3 hours is no big deal.

Jells2dot0

I would say your chances of getting first class seats on a flight to Paris is ZERO. I often buy up to first class when I travel overseas and unless you shell out the big bucks, those seats will be reserved for their most frequent flyers. I think a 5 hour layover is plenty of time to make a connecting flight, but keep in mind that weather can always cancel flights at any given time, whether you fly direct or not. Depending on when you are traveling and through what city would be a huge factor in helping me determine what I would do in your situation. It's not a total lost cause if you fly direct- you can always have a lovely dinner in town.

daria24

I would keep the direct flight. I can never sleep on planes so our red eye to Paris was brutal. We landed at 8am and were so exhaustedwe tried to go sight seeing and ended up falling asleep in the middle of a museum. At least if your red eye leaves late at night, you have a better chance of sleeping. Also a direct flight means one less flight to be delayed, have engine problems, be oversold, one less flight to lose your luggage, etc.

jemmini6

I'd much rather arrive 3 hours later on a direct flight than to have a 5 hour layover.  Have you slept on planes before?  If you are able to do it, kuddos to you, but I'm a terrible plane sleeper, so the less time the better for me.

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_changed-flightwwyd?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:37946b2e-bbd4-439b-9ad7-190c7a0291a9Post:638b35c0-d4cb-4456-8936-0861be0e278f">Re: Changed Flight...WWYD?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'd much rather arrive 3 hours later on a direct flight than to have a 5 hour layover.  Have you slept on planes before?  If you are able to do it, kuddos to you, but I'm a terrible plane sleeper, so the less time the better for me.
Posted by jemmini6[/QUOTE]

This.  Especially when you are squished in coach seats.

kaitlinfender

You too, huh? Delta just changed our flight by 3 hours as well. 

We're only traveling from North Carolina to Nova Scotia -- so, it's not as long as your flight -- but we're annoyed because now we'll have to get up early the day after the wedding, rather than having a late morning to get ourselves together. It's not really a big deal, but we made our plans with the time in mind, of course.

I'd love to know if you call them about it -- I've been debating about doing the same.

Sue-n-Kevin

Aloisk57, the wonders of being a "hub city" for Delta, right?

I'm always always about direct flights. I fly a lot for my job, and thankfully the company understands we all want direct flights, which may cost a bit more than connecting, but in the end they have happier employees,LOL. Every connection means just another chance to have THAT flight's time changed, or worse, delays due to weather at the origination city for that flight, or weather in between. You are better off getting on a flight and getting to your destination at a known time than trying to connect and worrying about your luggage making it, etc.

We are going to be going to Maine next month, our return flight (to get the cheapest fare) left to return to Detroit at 7:30 am. Really awful, so we are going to stay a night at a hotel near the airport.......then I get an email about the flight time changing to 6 AM!!!!! I kid you not.........ugh, we'll be getting up at 4 am to drive to the airport, return our rental, then get on a flight at 5 am. Who flies at such unGodly hours? LMAO.

JoanE2012

I would definitely take the direct flight in a heartbeat over a connecting flight.  With connecting flights, if it's a short connection, you worry you're going to miss your flight.  With a long one, you have too much time to kill.  You don't want a 5 hour layover when you probably have jet lag.....it's awful!  And on any connecting flight, there's always increased chance for lost bags.  3pm is not bad.....at least you'll be able to check in to your room right away and freshen up.

Leenie10

Hi, me too. We just  learned today that JetBlue changed our flights.  On the trip out it was made one  hour earlier, but for the return they bumped it back by a day! WTH? Uh, no not gonna shorten my honeymoon...We have to figure out what we can do. Hopefully get other flights...

MrsGandthebeag

Like pp said, definitely keep the direct flight.  You'll be tired and 3 hours is not going to matter.  Most hotels won't let you check in until 3pm anyway.  

hz80408

How long will you be in Paris?

What are the times for the 5-hr layover?  It seems you'd have to leave a lot earlier to have a 5hr layover and get to Paris at 6am.

Depending on how long you'll be there, I'd probably do the 3hr layover.

Eliz77

We were set to leave Newark at 3pm eastern time, arrive in CA six hours later, 50 minute layover and then head to Maui from the gate right across from where we unloaded plane number one.  Sounded perfect in planning, right? Thunderstorms ruined that-we arrived in LA 11 minutes before plane 2 took off BUT from the gate plane two departed from, so we watched as our plane to Maui rolled away. Insead of flying to Maui and getting in at their time 9pm Sunday night, we stayed in LA, left Monday AM and arrived in Maui at noon. We also had to start our HM at 3pm by the time we were all checked in, 15 hours later than I had envisioned.

So, yes, a wasted 15 hours of HM time for us, but could be worse! Flights after hours were delayed 5+ hours! I was just thrilled we finally got there and that our bags did, too!

My advice: stick with the direct flight. You'll most likely be too tired and busy settling in to realize you wasted half a day. 

alithebride

thre is NO WAY IN HELL i'd choose a stop over a non-stop.  3 hours is no big deal.
i dont believe it will take you 4 hours to deplane, go through customs and immigration and get to your hotel. probably less than 2.

LDubHawksFan

Keep your direct flight!  Typically when I've traveled half way across the world, the first day is almost a waste anyway because your body wants to be sleeping.  If you get settled at 3 pm, that will give you a chance to rest a bit before walking around the city and finding dinner.  It actually sounds perfect!  And a direct flight sounds awesome!!

SharEtoBe

I'd say keep the direct flight and get in a little later. Check in, wind down a little and relax (maybe take a nap but a short one or it'll be hard to get past the jet lag.) Then take a stroll and find a bistro with a great view of the Eiffel Tower. It's breathtaking all lit up at night!