Direct flight vs Indirect flight from Toronto to Hong Kong

[rdx]

In general, direct flight is $200-300 more than indirect flight, and for indirect, there is a minimum of 3 hours wait (in reality, it is shorter as it takes time to get off board and on board).

Which one would you take? Pay more and go direct ? Or save money and wait a couple hours?

I personally would go indirect and save money, but my wife insists to go direct as she said it is too much trouble to have connecting flight as we are travelling with a toddler.

[DiceMan]

Direct/indirect from where? If it's, say, Toronto-Vancouver-HK, I'd prefer the indirect as I get to stretch my legs a bit in the airport. I even find just the Vancouver to HK leg is tough.

[gretzky99]

In general, direct flight is $200-300 more than indirect flight, and for indirect, there is a minimum of 3 hours wait (in reality, it is shorter as it takes time to get off board and on board).

Which one would you take? Pay more and go direct ? Or save money and wait a couple hours?

I personally would go indirect and save money, but my wife insists to go indirect as she said it is too much trouble to have connecting flight as we are travelling with a toddler.

I agree with your wife (I assume you did a typo and you meant to say wife wants DIRECT flight) especially since you have a toddler with you.
But even if I didn't have a toddler with me, I'd pay the extra cash to save me the trouble of boarding another flight plus I'd get to HK quicker with a direct flight.
Getting off and on another flight is a hassle.

[rdx]

I agree with your wife (I assume you did a typo and you meant to say wife wants DIRECT flight) especially since you have a toddler with you.
But even if I didn't have a toddler with me, I'd pay the extra cash to save me the trouble of boarding another flight plus I'd get to HK quicker with a direct flight.
Getting off and on another flight is a hassle.

Yes, I meant my wife insists on DIRECT flight. :)

But, we are talking about 3-4 hours more traveling time for $600+ savings for the family of 3.......

[rdx]

Direct/indirect from where? If it's, say, Toronto-Vancouver-HK, I'd prefer the indirect as I get to stretch my legs a bit in the airport. I even find just the Vancouver to HK leg is tough.

I meant from Toronto to HK. Subject line has been fixed :)

[woodstock827]

Generally I'd pay extra just to avoid us airlines. I don't think the difference is that big between AC and CX.

[D582]

The routing of the flight would matter to me

If it's YYZ-YVR-HKG on AC, then I would have no problem with doing that over the AC or CX non-stops if it was cheaper or I was trying to maximise Aeroplan miles.

However if it was YYZ-USA CITY-HKG on a US-based airline, I would not do it as there is extra hassle connecting in the US and the US carriers' on-board product is just not up to par with AC or CX.

[rdx]

Generally I'd pay extra just to avoid us airlines. I don't think the difference is that big between AC and CX.

Regular CX price ($1,500) vs US airline (under $1,000) would be $500 per person. So, for a family of 4, it could be $2k difference per trip !

There is an AC promotion right now, thus is about $180/person. So, it is an easier decision for me this time.

By the way, I notice something interesting. I was playing around with the online price check. I thought it would be a cheaper to travel from West Coast (e.g. LA) to HK. But, found out the price for the same day same airline is actually a bit cheaper to travel from Toronto.:-0

E.g. Delta $950 from Toronto but $1,060 from LA

[rfdrfd]

Another factor to consider: safety


I remember hearing or reading from airplane experts, that the most dangerous part of any flight is the TAKE OFF and LANDING.

In the air, if something happens, given enough time and room (eg. you aren't close to the ground to hit it), the airplane can regain control. Glide to a "safe" landing or what have you. If the plane can't recover, then it doesn't matter anyways, the ending is the same.

So, the more landings and take offs you experience = more risk you take

[AcidBomber]

Regular CX price ($1,500) vs US airline (under $1,000) would be $500 per person. So, for a family of 4, it could be $2k difference per trip !

There is an AC promotion right now, thus is about $180/person. So, it is an easier decision for me this time.

By the way, I notice something interesting. I was playing around with the online price check. I thought it would be a cheaper to travel from West Coast (e.g. LA) to HK. But, found out the price for the same day same airline is actually a bit cheaper to travel from Toronto.:-0

E.g. Delta $950 from Toronto but $1,060 from LA

since you have a toddler, i would pay the extra $180 and fly direct.
i flew back from HKG via Chicago on United, and man it was boring... their 747s do not have personal tv, and no plugs to charge your laptop...
Continental's 777s were much better.

i would do it again to save $300 as i dont mind the wait; but only on Continental or another airline with newer planes...

[rdx]

since you have a toddler, i would pay the extra $180 and fly direct.
i flew back from HKG via Chicago on United, and man it was boring... their 747s do not have personal tv, and no plugs to charge your laptop...
Continental's 777s were much better.

i would do it again to save $300 as i dont mind the wait; but only on Continental or another airline with newer planes...

Yes, that's what we are doing, paying $180 x 3 people for this trip. Luckily, AC tickets are on sale. Otherwise, it could be more. BTW, I really don't mind paying extra for Cathay flight. However, not sure how compatible the AC international flight is as comparing to Cathay (I used to take Continental before I have a kid). Can someone who has tried both commenting on it?

Yes, Continental is not bad. Definitely worths 3 hours wait time for $300 savings PER PERSON. Like I said, it is not even 3 hours if you deduct the time for landing, re-boarding, have a meal at fast food store, etc. Especially when you are travelling 2-3 weeks, 3 hours one way less does not really matter. Usually we can't do much on the day we travel anyway.

[tombyman]

Yes, that's what we are doing, paying $180 x 3 people for this trip. Luckily, AC tickets are on sale. Otherwise, it could be more. BTW, I really don't mind paying extra for Cathay flight. However, not sure how compatible the AC international flight is as comparing to Cathay (I used to take Continental before I have a kid). Can someone who has tried both commenting on it?

Yes, Continental is not bad. Definitely worths 3 hours wait time for $300 savings PER PERSON. Like I said, it is not even 3 hours if you deduct the time for landing, re-boarding, have a meal at fast food store, etc. Especially when you are travelling 2-3 weeks, 3 hours one way less does not really matter. Usually we can't do much on the day we travel anyway.

Keep in mind that you have to go through US customs in Toronto if you are taking continental and stopping via one of their hubs in the US and on the flight back you have to go through US customs/immigration and then get your luggage and check them back in. For me, that's quite a hassle esp with a toddler.

I have travelled twice to Asia with my daughter, once when she was 5 months, second time was when she was 1.5 and we've always have one stop over either HK or Japan as there is no direct flight going to our final destination, and I can say that the flight to HK wasn't so bad. The stewardesses at CX were really great and they even offered to help me with carrying the baby etc, and they have a baby package onboard with diapers, creams etc. and you can request baby food (jarred only i think) as well (make sure to call beforehand for this request). Also, their inflight entertainment is really good with lots of kid friendly shows such as mickey mouse clubhouse etc. Second time I took the AC flight with JAL connecting. The AC stewardess weren't as friendly and helpful and even asked me if I gave my baby any meds before the flight and said that I should have as she was crying during one part of the trip! They don't have any diapers etc. But they might have jarred baby food if you request them ahead of time if I remember correctly. Also, there's advertisements before each movie for their inflight entertainment, w/c isn't a biggie but it really irritated me. Lastly, JAL was great, the stewardesses were very friendly and they have a special baby meal too (not jarred food). They have strawed cups for my daughter and even gave her a cute baby bib. The planes were as new though and entertainment wasn't as good as it was a short flight. We will be travelling this year again and I did see that the Continental and United flights were really cheap but I have heard negative reviews about them esp. about flights getting delayed in between, and missing your connection, etc so it might not be worth it. I booked EvaAir instead w/ a stop in Taipei instead of getting CX and AC w/c is cheaper because of their promo that time so hopefully i made the right decision.

[hOrnizuka]

i guess i'm in the minority. i usually travel alone and i always pick aisle seat and for that reason i like UA's 777 than AC's 77W (777?). UA's seating is 2-5-2 and AC's seating is 3-3-3. If i pick aisle on UA, only 1 person will go through me if he or she want's to go washroom but on AC, 2 ppl will have to go through me. =)

[rdx]

Just found out AC starts a bigger Asia ticket sale today, but we bought the ticket yesterday...........:(

[bst]

You can cancel and refund your ticket for free within 24 hour period on aircanada.com. Do it now!

[rdx]

You can cancel and refund your ticket for free within 24 hour period on aircanada.com. Do it now!

Really ? My wife booked it through an agent, not sure if that makes a difference. Anyway, I have asked her to call the agent now.

Thanks.

[rdx]

Really ? My wife booked it through an agent, not sure if that makes a difference. Anyway, I have asked her to call the agent now.

Thanks.

Just talked to the agent and she advised that the ticket booking goes by day. It was booked yesterday and it was locked last night end of day. Any change/cancellation will cause $200 :(

[setell]

Just talked to the agent and she advised that the ticket booking goes by day. It was booked yesterday and it was locked last night end of day. Any change/cancellation will cause $200 :(

Was it a travel agent? I've cancelled many flights with AC during their 24hr time frame and didn't pay any penalty but they were booked on their site and not with a travel agent.

[mrperfect]

I think it all depends on what you want.
Personally it was very exciting for me and I enjoyed a lot when taking a indirect flight - it took me almost 4 days of several different aircrafts, but I loved all the stop overs, and trying out lots of food/juices/chocolates etc. :D

[bst]

Just talked to the agent and she advised that the ticket booking goes by day. It was booked yesterday and it was locked last night end of day. Any change/cancellation will cause $200 :(

Oh, you booked your ticket through a travel agent? Then you are out of luck. The 24 hour policy applies only to tickets booked directly with Air Canada. Travel agents set their own rules. If prices are not that much different between aircanada.com and travel agent, I would prefer to book directly with the airlines. Any changes to travel plan can be dealt with airlines directly, skipping the middleman. More often, TA charges additional change fees on top of what airlines charges. If you call Air Canada reservation and they find out your ticket is booked through a travel agent, they will just cut your call right off.

[GoogleFish]

Keep in mind that you have to go through US customs in Toronto if you are taking continental and stopping via one of their hubs in the US and on the flight back you have to go through US customs/immigration and then get your luggage and check them back in. on.

On the way to Asia, are they able to check your bag straight through since you clear customs in Toronto? Just wondering as there is only a 90 minute layover in layover city (Chicago) which seems tight if you have to claim bags and recheck in.

[AcidBomber]

On the way to Asia, are they able to check your bag straight through since you clear customs in Toronto? Just wondering as there is only a 90 minute layover in layover city (Chicago) which seems tight if you have to claim bags and recheck in.

Yes.
I cleared US Customs at Pearson, and my checked baggage went straight to Asia.

However on the way back, you have to claim your baggage in Chicago, then check it again down the hall... not much of a hassle, but something worth noting.

[tombyman]

On the way to Asia, are they able to check your bag straight through since you clear customs in Toronto? Just wondering as there is only a 90 minute layover in layover city (Chicago) which seems tight if you have to claim bags and recheck in.

On the way to Asia, bag are checked through as it has been cleared in Pearson, but on the way back, you have to claim and check in again in Chicago.

[GoogleFish]

Yes.
I cleared US Customs at Pearson, and my checked baggage went straight to Asia.

However on the way back, you have to claim your baggage in Chicago, then check it again down the hall... not much of a hassle, but something worth noting.

Thanks. 90 minutes stopover on the way to Asia seemed impossible to make the connection if you need to claim and re-check bags in Chicago. On the way back to Toronto doesn't seem as much of an issue because if you miss the connection, I'm sure they can get you the next flight from Chicago to Toronto.

$300 savings on Continental, even if you include the big Air Canada "sale" going on now, plus more points I believe since AC does not give you miles for codeshare flights.

[Mint]

I've taken both direct and indirect flights to Asia (HK, Japan and Korea). I think for $200/person, I would go for indirect since it's only me and my wife and we both don't mind the stop over as it's nice to have a break. From all the indirects we've done, they've never been that bad where we have hated flying. We did do a 2stopover flight back from Japan last year and it was pretty tiring. Since you have a kid with you, I would probably go direct as it's just makes things so much less complicated. Especially if the stop over is in the US which as others have mentioned, means there that extra step of customs/immigration which adds to the total in/out time.