Direct is non-stop, right? Wrong!
A lot of people who travel by plane are still unaware or get confused with the terms ‘direct’ and ‘nonstop’. They tend to think that both are exactly the same - like Tweedledum and Tweedledee. This confusion is common, as, at times, the aviation industry seems to have its own language, and many of the terms used by airlines are regularly misunderstood - such as the difference between a direct and nonstop flight. Booking the right flight therefore could mean shaving hours off of your journey, dollars off or your bottom line and can hugely influence the comfort level of your journey.
While a direct flight might sound like a nonstop flight, it’s not. A direct flight is from one airport to another, but includes stops in one or more cities along the way. The flight number or aircraft and your boarding pass remain the same, however, until the final destination is reached. You may be able to stay onboard during the stop or, if local regulations call for it, made to disembark with all your hand luggage, only to re-board again, re-stow your luggage, and re-take your assigned seat.
The term “direct” became popular in the early days of commercial air travel, when propeller aircraft had to hop-scotch around the country, or even a region, in order to travel from point A to point B. They were marketed as “direct" services in that they flew between major destinations, stopping along the way for fuel or passengers, but required no plane changes or separate tickets.
When airlines began adding faster, longer flying jet aircraft to their fleets in the late 1950s, the term “non-stop” became vogue. A nonstop flight does as its name suggests: flies from one airport to another without any stops along the way. These flights have a single flight number and are often the most sought-after for business travellers who value their time. They're always the fastest to arrive at their final destination. With no stopovers, no matter how short, they won't be affected by unexpected airport delays after takeoff.
A connecting flight means it will take at least two different planes with two different flight numbers to reach your final destination. Connecting flights are almost always less expensive than nonstop flights, but they are not always the best option for travellers who place a premium on time. Why? First, you'll have to haul hand luggage on and off the plane multiple times in each direction. Connections often mean landing in one terminal, then having to take a train or a long walk to another terminal. When you take off and land, you double your chances of encountering delays due to weather or air traffic control. Connecting flights can also take significantly longer than direct or nonstop flights due to long layovers. For these reasons, connecting flights are always the least desirable in terms of convenience, but the most desirable in terms of price. Plus, increasingly lavish airports and lounges mean that a little layover time isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
In reality, the type of flight – whether direct or with several stops – is really a matter of preference. Some people prefer the extra stops for a bit of a breather, especially during overseas travel, while others like to get to their final destination as soon as possible.
Ilzaf Keefahs
|
|
|
|
