Jazmin Li
When booking a round trip, you usually fly out of and back into the same airport. However, it is possible to book a trip where you fly into one airport and return from another. This is known as an open-jaw itinerary, and it can be done through most airlines and online travel agencies. This option can be harder to find on some websites, but it is generally available under Multi-city, Multiple Destinations, Advanced Search, or More Search Options. It is also possible to book two one-way tickets, but this can be more expensive than booking an open-jaw itinerary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of flight itinerary | Open-jaw |
| Flight pattern | Departs from city A, lands in city B, departs from city C, lands in city A |
| Booking options | Multi-city, Advanced Search, More Search Options |
| Booking recommendations | Book directly with the airline or through a travel agent |
| Booking considerations | May be more expensive than a round-trip flight, may require paying extra for one-way car rental |
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What You'll Learn
- Open-jaw flights allow for different arrival and departure airports
- Search for multi-city options on airline and travel websites
- Booking multiple one-way tickets may be more expensive
- Use a travel agent for this type of itinerary
- Internal one-way flights in the US are often half the cost of a round trip
Open-jaw flights allow for different arrival and departure airports
Open-jaw flights are a type of airline ticket that allows travellers to fly into one airport and return from another. This is different from a typical round-trip flight, where the departure and arrival airports are the same. With an open-jaw ticket, you can explore multiple cities or countries without having to return to your original departure point.
There are three main types of open-jaw flights: destination open-jaw, origin open-jaw, and double open-jaw. A destination open-jaw flight involves flying into one city and returning from another within the same trip. For example, you might depart from London to New York but return from Philadelphia to London. This type of open-jaw flight is useful when you want to explore multiple destinations without backtracking to your original departure city.
An origin open-jaw flight is when you fly from one city to another but return to a different place. For example, flying from London to New York and then returning from New York to Manchester. This type of open-jaw allows you to start and end your trip in different cities, which can be convenient if you want to explore multiple regions or countries.
The double open-jaw is a combination of the destination and origin open-jaw. For instance, you could fly from London to New York and then on your return trip, fly from Boston to Manchester. This type of open-jaw flight offers even more flexibility and is perfect for travellers wanting to explore a wider range of destinations.
Booking an open-jaw flight is relatively straightforward. Most airline websites or travel booking platforms will offer a 'multi-city' or 'multiple destinations' option. Simply select this option and then choose your desired arrival and departure airports for each leg of your journey. Keep in mind that open-jaw flights are typically priced as round-trip tickets and can often be more cost-effective than purchasing separate one-way flights. Additionally, some routing restrictions may apply, such as the open-jaw segments being shorter than the flown segments.
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Search for multi-city options on airline and travel websites
When looking for multi-city options, it's best to look at both airline and travel websites. Airline websites will offer you the option to book multi-city flights, and travel websites will help you compare prices across multiple airlines and travel agents.
Airline Websites
Most airline and travel sites should offer multi-city options. Look for wording like "multi-city", which should be an option along with "one-way" and "round trip".
For example, if you're looking to book a multi-city flight on Skyscanner, you can do so by clicking on "multi-city" instead of "round trip" or "one-way". You can enter up to six legs of your journey, selecting your departure airport, destination, and dates from the drop-down menus. You can also choose the number of passengers and cabin class.
Travel Websites
Travel websites like KAYAK and Skyscanner offer powerful multi-city search engines that can help you find the best deals.
KAYAK, for example, searches over 1,200 sources for the best deal and features several powerful filtering options, including how your preferred payment method will affect the price.
Similarly, Skyscanner has excellent global coverage and can help you find the best-priced multi-city flights. However, it's always a good idea to check Skyscanner's results alongside other search engines to ensure the very best deals.
Other Tips
Sometimes, searching for multiple one-way flights is cheaper than a multi-city flight. It's a good idea to search for one-way flights and use the flexible dates calendar to find the optimal dates to fly. Once you've found those dates, try searching for the entire itinerary in a multi-city search facility to see if you can save even more.
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Booking multiple one-way tickets may be more expensive
When booking a flight, the lowest price and maximum flexibility are often the most important factors. While booking multiple one-way tickets can offer flexibility, it may also be more expensive than booking a single round-trip ticket.
Firstly, it is important to note that airline pricing is complicated and can vary depending on various factors. These factors include the specific itinerary, demand for the dates you want to fly, and the type of cabin. For example, premium cabins often have higher one-way ticket prices relative to round-trip tickets. Additionally, business travellers who typically book one-way tickets due to rigid date and time requirements are generally less sensitive to price, leading to higher one-way ticket prices.
In some cases, booking multiple one-way tickets can be more expensive than a round-trip ticket for the same route. This is because some airlines, such as Delta, offer lower redemption rates for round-trip award flights compared to two one-way flights. Additionally, when paying in cash for flights between the U.S. and Europe, it is generally cheaper to book a round-trip ticket.
However, there are instances where booking multiple one-way tickets can be more advantageous. For example, when paying with miles, the price of two one-way tickets is often the same as a round-trip ticket. In this case, booking multiple one-way tickets can provide added flexibility if there is a chance of changing your return plans. Additionally, if you are combining different modes of transportation, such as flying into one city and travelling elsewhere by other means, booking multiple one-way tickets may be more convenient and cost-effective.
Overall, when considering whether to book multiple one-way tickets or a single round-trip ticket, it is essential to compare the costs and consider the specific circumstances of your trip. While one-way tickets can offer flexibility, they may also come at a higher price in certain situations. Therefore, it is recommended to research and evaluate the options available before making a booking decision.
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Use a travel agent for this type of itinerary
While it is possible to book a multi-city trip or an open-jaw ticket yourself, you may want to use a travel agent for this type of itinerary. Travel agents can be particularly helpful if you are struggling to find the information you need to book your trip or if the airline website does not offer what you want.
For example, if you are visiting your girlfriend in Colorado and want to fly into Colorado Springs airport but depart from Denver International, you may find that the airline website does not offer this as an option. In this case, a travel agent may be able to create a custom itinerary that suits your needs. They can also handle the booking process, saving you time and effort.
Additionally, travel agents can provide valuable expertise and advice. They may be able to suggest alternative routes or options that you may not have considered or that are not easily found through online searches. For instance, they can recommend specific airlines that offer better prices for internal one-way flights within a particular country or region. This can be especially useful if you are travelling to multiple destinations or if your plans are complex and require a high level of customization.
Another advantage of using a travel agent is that they can act as a single point of contact for all your travel needs. Instead of dealing with multiple airlines, accommodation providers, and transport companies, you can communicate your requirements to the travel agent, who will then coordinate with the relevant suppliers on your behalf. This can simplify the booking process and provide you with peace of mind, knowing that your trip is in the hands of a knowledgeable and experienced professional.
However, it is worth noting that using a travel agent may come with additional costs. Travel agents typically charge fees for their services, which can vary depending on the agent and the complexity of your itinerary. Therefore, it is essential to consider the benefits of using a travel agent against any potential extra costs. Nevertheless, for complex or highly customized trips, the expertise, convenience, and peace of mind that a travel agent provides can often outweigh the additional expenses involved.
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Internal one-way flights in the US are often half the cost of a round trip
When booking a flight, the lowest price and maximum flexibility are often the top priorities. While some travellers may prefer to pay in cash, others may opt to redeem their airline miles or fly in a premium cabin. In such cases, booking one-way flights can offer the advantage of maintaining half the cost of a round-trip ticket while providing flexibility in payment options. This strategy is particularly useful when travelling within the US, as internal one-way flights are often priced at half the cost of a round trip.
However, it's important to note that this trend may not hold true for smaller, regional airports. Additionally, when it comes to international flights, booking two one-way tickets can sometimes be significantly more expensive than purchasing a round-trip ticket. This is because airlines assume that one-way fares are often purchased by business travellers or those with time constraints, and they surge their prices accordingly.
For example, consider a flight from Washington-Dulles to Frankfurt, Germany, on United Airlines. Booking two one-way tickets for this route would cost a total of $3,110, while booking the same flights as a round-trip ticket would only cost $1,783, resulting in substantial savings. Similarly, a round-trip award flight from New York to Paris with Delta SkyMiles costs 50,000 SkyMiles and $85 in taxes and fees. In comparison, booking the same flights as two one-way awards would cost 74,000 SkyMiles and approximately $220 in taxes and fees.
On the other hand, there are instances where booking two one-way flights with different airlines can be more cost-effective than a round-trip ticket with a single airline. This approach allows travellers to take advantage of the competition among low-cost carriers, particularly in domestic markets. By strategically combining one-way flights on low-cost airlines with points and miles redemptions on other flights, travellers can significantly reduce the overall cost of their trip.
To make an informed decision, it is recommended to price out both options – round-trip and one-way flights – before booking. Additionally, travellers should be cautious about frequently booking round-trip flights and flying only one way, as this practice could be flagged by the airline.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. This type of trip is known as an open-jaw or multiple destination itinerary.
You can book an open-jaw ticket directly through an airline or via a travel agent. On an airline's website, look for options like Multi-city, Advanced Search, or More Search Options.
Booking a series of one-way flights may be more expensive than booking a round-trip ticket, but this is not always the case for international flights.
Yes, you may have to pay extra for a one-way car rental fee. Be sure to read your contract carefully.
Jet Blue and Southwest offer good prices for internal one-way flights in the US.
