March 23, 2026, 5:58 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Why is a connecting flight cheaper than a direct route? This is exactly where some travelers try to save money by intentionally missing flights. But what initially seems like a clever trick can quickly have unpleasant consequences.
Airfare doesn’t follow simple logic. Often, flights with a layover are significantly cheaper than direct flights on the same route. Factors such as demand, competition, and strategic pricing play a role, but the exact mechanisms often remain opaque. Travelers should not attempt to book a connecting flight instead of a regular flight to reach their destination.
Why Connecting Flights Are Often Cheaper
Laura Frommberg from the portal “aerotelegraph.com” knows why individual direct flights are sometimes hundreds of euros more expensive than the same route as part of a connecting flight. “This is especially true on routes where an airline is unrivaled on the direct connection,” she says.
She’s not surprised that travelers try to take advantage of this: “It’s human nature to want to benefit from it. It almost has a playful aspect.”
The principle is simple: Instead of a direct flight from A to B, a cheaper connection from A via B to C is booked—but only the segment to B is used. The onward flight is intentionally missed. Other variations are possible, such as deliberately booking round-trip flights to use only part of them.
In the U.S., this practice already has a name: Skiplagging.
Airlines Are Increasingly Strict
What sounds like a clever money-saving tip to passengers is viewed critically by airlines. “Airlines are increasingly cracking down on this,” warns Frommberg. In the U.S., there have already been cases where passengers were banned from flying.
Many airlines exclude in their terms of carriage the intentional forfeiture of segments. Violators may face additional charges or risk not being transported at all.
Legal Situation: Beware of Planned Deception
Legally, there is a distinction between whether the non-use of flight segments was planned from the start or arose later. Those who deliberately violate fare rules are on shaky ground. “I wouldn’t make it a money-saving trick,” says Matthias Böse, a lawyer specializing in passenger rights.
It’s different if travel plans change after booking. Last fall, the Federal Court of Justice clarified that airlines (in this case, Lufthansa) cannot demand additional payments in such cases (Case No.: X ZR 110/24).
This applies, for example, if a train is canceled and the outbound flight is missed or an appointment is canceled at short notice. In such situations, passengers may let segments lapse—but they must be able to prove it if necessary.
According to Böse, the decision affects not only Lufthansa: “The clarified legal situation applies to all flights subject to German general terms and conditions law.”
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Unclear Wording and Practical Risks
How airlines specifically handle such cases often remains unclear. Lufthansa only refers to its terms of carriage and does not provide detailed information.
It states that no additional charges will be incurred for deviations from the booked “ticket sequence”—such as due to illness or other reasons arising after booking. However, passengers must report and prove the reasons immediately.
Attorney Böse considers the wording “other reasons” to be open to interpretation. “Other reasons” allows for various arguments, but he advises against deliberately circumventing rules.
In practice, he often encounters cases where travelers unintentionally violate conditions—for example, because they miss an outbound flight and are then not allowed on the return flight.
Chances of Reimbursement
In such situations, affected individuals may have a good chance of reclaiming money. “I consider it unlawful,” says Böse regarding denied transportation or additional charges. The Federal Court of Justice has essentially confirmed this view.
One thing is certain: Those who deliberately play tricks with flight tickets take a risk. However, those who unintentionally deviate from their travel plans can rely on a strengthened legal position.
With material from dpa