Courtesy of FamilyDestinationGuide.com
FamilyDestinationGuide.com conducted a survey of 3,000 families and asked them a hypothetical question: How far would you be prepared to drive to your chosen destination rather than fly for one hour?
The results showed that given the current uncertainties at airports, travelers flying out of Virginia airports would choose to drive for six hours and 43 minutes rather than take a one-hour flight. More than half, according to the survey, would be willing to pay a premium for flight tickets to avoid airport chaos. Of those who said they would be prepared to pay more, the average traveler would pay 32% more than the standard ticket price. Given that the average fare is around $397, the average traveler would pay $127 to get where he or she wants to go to get there on time.
The evidence is clear: Caught in travel limbo, travelers will go to great lengths to avoid airports, which are suffering from weather disruptions to computer problems to crew shortages. Americans are caught in traffic limbo.
For the second time in a month, thousands of flights were delayed or canceled across the US last week, and travelers have been warned to expect more problems. Even a breakdown at a smaller regional airport can have a domino effect across the country.
The survey also found that almost half (48%) of travelers say they have put off air travel until the current disruptions have been sorted. And when it comes to planning further ahead, 74% said they are more likely to drive this summer, rather than fly to a typical vacation destination.
Finally, respondents who have recently been affected by the travel disruptions were asked to rate their frustration on a scale of 1-10. The average respondent rated theirs at a solid 8 out of 10.
“The current flight disruptions will likely continue through the rest of the year, so it might be wise to consider planning your trip by car instead of air. While flying might be faster in theory, the freedom and flexibility of hitting the open road in a car can allow for a more personal and memorable travel experience” said Rose Ackermann, FamilyDestinationGuide.com’s Editor-in-Chief
.