‘Skiplagging’ airfare hack under fire again; here’s what it is
This travel loophole — in which a flier uses a layover as the final destination to cut costs when booking tickets — has become the ire of airlines who have attempted, and failed, to challenge the practice in court over the years.
Fliers have been skiplagging ever since booking tickets on the internet shifted power toward the consumer. It’s been called “point beyond ticketing” or “hidden city booking,” and articles promoting how to beat high airfares have been published periodically for well over a decade.
How to skiplag
The skiplag travel hack is simple. It starts when you book a flight. Say that you’re traveling from JFK to SFO and the price for a direct flight is more expensive than a flight in which SFO is merely a layover. Skiplagging means that you book the flight with SFO as the layover and, upon arriving in San Francisco, you leave the airport.
But there are some important ramifications: If you choose to skiplag, don’t check a bag; the airline will send it to the final destination airport on your itinerary, which is not your actual destination. This also means it’s wise to check in early, and arrive to the gate with plenty of time, so you can secure a spot in the overhead bin for your luggage.
The reason a flight with a layover is sometimes cheaper than a direct flight (even though it requires more resources and time) is based on how airlines predict (and price according to) traveler behavior.
David Gillen, director of the transportation school at the Sauder School of Business in British Columbia, explained to Vice in 2015 that airlines price routes based on how travelers are likely to connect with another flight. “The airline will charge lower fares for passengers traveling on two legs because it gets money from both legs. This is what Skiplagged is exploiting,” he said, referring to a travel booking site that had recently been sued by United Airlines, called Skiplagged.
Is skiplagging illegal?
Skiplagging is not illegal, but airlines have actively fought it and discourage customers from engaging in it. Most…
