Florida is a fantastic family vacation destination. From the gorgeous beaches to the iconic theme parks, Florida is often the best option for families looking to make memories. However, given the sunshine state’s popularity, traveling there can be a bit of a headache.
One typical trip for many families to take is flying from New York to Florida. While flying is a fairly straightforward way of getting to Florida, there are several elements to consider when planning your family’s journey.
The primary concern is flight length. Traveling by plane with a family is challenging, and the length of the flight can make all the difference.
On average, a flight from New York to Florida should take between two and a half and three hours. Read on for a complete guide on determining the length of a flight from New York to Florida.
Average Length of Flight from New York to Florida
Although most flights from New York to Florida take about two and a half hours, various factors can impact travel time.
The main determining factor for flight time is the speed of the commercial airplane you are flying on. At cruising altitude, a commercial aircraft will probably be going anywhere from 550 to 600 miles per hour. With New York and Florida being about 1,100 miles apart, this averages out to a travel time of just over two hours.
That being said, anyone who has flown on a commercial airplane knows that the plane usually doesn’t fly at a consistent speed for the entire flight duration. Weather, wind direction, altitude, and weight will all impact a plane’s speed.
As the airplane rises in altitude, the decreased air pressure will allow the plane to pick up speed. If the plane is traveling in the same direction as the wind is blowing, it will also be able to go faster than if it was flying against the wind.
Bad weather or turbulence can also slow a plane down and delay your arrival. In addition, if an airplane is carrying a large amount of weight it may move a little slower than usual.
Outside of obstacles to achieving its optimal speed, an airplane will change speed for takeoffs and landings. At takeoff, the plane only goes about 160 to 180 miles per hour. At landing, a plane usually comes in at around 130 to 160 miles per hour.
Keeping all of these speed-related factors in mind, you can expect most flights from New York to Florida to take closer to three hours than two hours.
Other Travel Time Variables
The speed of the airplane is not the only time element to consider when planning a trip by plane. You should also be factoring in the time your family will spend traveling to the airport, checking bags, and going through security.
Many travel advisors recommend arriving at the airport two hours early for a domestic flight. Your family may want to arrive earlier than that if you are flying during a peak travel season, such as the winter holidays.
Once you board your flight, you can expect to wait a period before taking off. It can take a long time for all of the passengers and flight crew to be ready, and there may be a few planes ahead of you on the runway.
Likewise, once you land in Florida you will have to stay seated on the plane for an additional period while the airplane parks at the gate and the crew prepare for the dismount.
Including these time variables, your family’s total travel time for a plane trip from New York to Florida could end up being well over five hours.
Flight Length By City
The length of a flight from New York to Florida will vary slightly depending on the destination city. After all, Florida is a relatively large state.
Length of Flight from New York to Miami
A flight from New York to Miami usually takes around two and a half hours. When you factor in wait times on the tarmac, the total flight time is closer to three hours.
Length of Flight from New York to Orlando
The flight from New York to Orlando is usually a little shorter than the flight from New York to Miami since Orlando is further north. A typical flight from New York to Orlando should take slightly over two hours. Wait times on the tarmac may make the travel time slightly longer.
Length of Flight from New York to Fort Lauderdale
Similar to Miami, a flight from New York to Fort Lauderdale takes about two and a half hours. Time spent on departure and arrivals will push it up to a three-hour travel time.
Length of Flight from New York to Tampa
A flight from New York to Tampa takes around two hours and 25 minutes. Even when factoring in wait times at the gate, a normal flight from New York to Tampa should take less than three hours total. For this reason, if you are interested in finding the shortest flight possible, Tampa may be a good city to consider.
Indirect Flights
An indirect flight will take longer than a direct flight. While a flight with a layover is inconvenient, it is sometimes cheaper and a useful option when no direct flights are available.
A layover can involve a long wait at the airport and can add several hours to your travel time. However, some common layover airports, like Atlanta, are quite well-favored by travelers, making it a pleasant experience for your family.
Alternative Travel Options
If flying isn’t your preferred travel option, it is helpful to look at the travel times for other modes of transportation.
Train
You can take the Amtrak train from New York to Florida. This trip could take close to 24 hours, factoring in all the time needed to make stops along the way.
Bus
A bus ride usually costs less than a flight, but it will take much longer. Most bus rides from New York to Florida will take around 20 hours.
Car
Driving your car from New York to Florida will be quicker than a train or bus, but it will still be quite the voyage. A car ride from New York to Florida takes under 20 hours, although bad traffic could make it longer.
Final Thoughts
Flying with your family can be a challenge, but when it comes to flying from New York to Florida, the short travel time and flexible options can make it a positive and manageable experience.
More about our TFVG Author
A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.
Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
