Ruth Haines
When booking a round trip, you usually fly out from the same airport that you landed in on your way to the destination. However, it is possible to book a round trip and land or depart from different airports. This type of itinerary is called an open-jaw flight, where you can depart from City A, land in City B, and then depart from City C, and land back in City A. Some airlines offer multi-city flight options, which allow you to add multiple legs to your trip. Booking an open-jaw or multi-city flight can sometimes be cheaper than booking separate one-way tickets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the trip | Multi-city flight, open-jaw flight |
| Number of destinations | Multiple |
| Number of tickets | One multi-city ticket or multiple one-way tickets |
| Cost | Can be cheaper than booking separate one-way tickets, especially for long-haul flights |
| Airlines offering multi-city flights | United Airlines, Kayak |
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What You'll Learn
- Multi-city flights can be booked on some airline websites
- Open-jaw flights let you depart and return from different airports
- Double open-jaw flights involve multiple cities on a round trip ticket
- Booking several one-way flights may be more expensive than a round-trip
- Multi-city flights can be cheaper than booking separate one-way tickets
Multi-city flights can be booked on some airline websites
Yes, multi-city flights can be booked directly on some airline websites. These are also known as multi-stop or multi-destination flights. This option should be available on most airlines and travel sites, along with the standard one-way and round-trip options.
When booking a multi-city trip, you can often find cheaper multi-city itineraries than single return flights. This is because multi-stop flights can combine flights, buses, and trains, and can include itineraries from different, sometimes non-cooperating, airlines.
There are also third-party websites that can help you find the best multi-city flight deals. These include KAYAK, Skyscanner, Momondo, Kiwi.com, Google Flights, and Jetradar. KAYAK, for example, has a powerful multi-city flight search engine that scans hundreds of travel agents and airlines with a single search. Skyscanner is similar and is considered one of the world's most comprehensive multi-city flight searches. Momondo is another popular flight comparison site that searches hundreds of unique sites to find the cheapest multi-city flights. Kiwi.com also has a multi-city flight search engine called Nomad, which finds the best and cheapest multi-destination routes.
It is important to compare the prices of multi-city flights on multiple search engines, as there can be drastic price differences due to the different data sources scanned. FlightsFinder.com is one such site that compares multiple flight aggregators to ensure you get the best multi-stop flight deals.
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Open-jaw flights let you depart and return from different airports
Open-jaw tickets are a flexible and relatively inexpensive way of flying as they are priced as a round-trip ticket, and are usually cheaper than purchasing two one-way flights. They are booked as round-trip tickets, but they don't follow the typical pattern of a round trip. This allows for more flexibility in your travel without the added expense.
For example, a traveller might fly from London to Bangkok, travel around Thailand by public transport, and fly back home to London from Phuket. Another example would be flying from New York City to London, travelling around Europe, and returning from Vilnius. Open-jaw flights are especially useful for itineraries that cover a lot of ground, saving precious vacation time by avoiding backtracking to the arrival airport.
When booking, you can select the "Multi-city" option on most airfare websites. This allows you to fly from a different airport on the second line of the flight plan. You can also book two one-way tickets, although this can be more expensive in some situations.
Open-jaw flights are offered by many airlines, including EasyJet, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, American Airlines, United, Alaska Airlines, Delta, South African Airways, Emirates, Air China, and many others.
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Double open-jaw flights involve multiple cities on a round trip ticket
Yes, it is possible to complete a round trip from different airports. This type of ticket is known as an "open-jaw ticket", which is a flexible and relatively inexpensive way of flying. Open-jaw tickets are priced as a round-trip ticket and are usually less expensive than purchasing two one-way flights between the destinations visited.
Open-jaw flights allow you to visit multiple destinations on one trip without the need to backtrack. There are a few different types of open-jaw flights. The most common is a destination open-jaw flight, where the outbound flight lands at one airport while the return flight departs from another airport in the same city. This is different from a round-trip flight because the traveller will not arrive and leave from the same airport. For example, a traveller might fly from London to Bangkok, travel around Thailand, and fly back home to London from Phuket.
Another type of open-jaw flight is an origin open-jaw, where you fly to and from one destination, but your final destination is different from your origin. For example, flying from JFK to Munich and then flying back from Athens to Boston. A double open-jaw is a kind of roundback flight itinerary where the passenger’s origin and destination differ in both directions. For example, flying from London to New York, but on the return trip flying from Boston to Manchester.
When booking an open-jaw flight, it is important to consider the cost of transportation to and from the airport, as well as any routing restrictions that may apply. It is also wise to include nearby airports and cities in your search to find the best deal. Open-jaw flights can be a great way to save time and money, especially when travelling during the peak summer season.
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Booking several one-way flights may be more expensive than a round-trip
When planning a trip that involves flying into and out of different airports, it's important to consider the most cost-effective way to book your travel. While it may seem intuitive to book multiple one-way flights for each leg of your journey, this may not always be the most economical option. In fact, booking several one-way flights can sometimes be considerably more expensive than booking a round-trip flight.
There are a few reasons why this may be the case. Firstly, airlines often offer discounted rates for round-trip bookings as it guarantees them business for multiple legs of your journey. Additionally, when you book a round-trip flight, you are often locked into flying with the same airline for both your outbound and return journeys, which can lead to further discounts or loyalty program benefits.
Another factor to consider is the availability of "open-jaw" or "multi-city" itineraries offered by many airlines and online travel agencies. These types of itineraries allow you to depart and return from different airports or even include multiple stopovers in different cities. Booking an open-jaw or multi-city itinerary can often be cheaper than booking multiple one-way flights, especially for long-haul flights.
However, it's important to note that finding and comparing prices for multi-city flights can sometimes be more challenging than booking a standard round-trip flight. Most fare-compare sites do not allow multi-city searches, so you may need to put in extra effort to search multiple airlines' and online travel agencies' websites to find the best prices. Additionally, some low-cost carriers may offer competitive rates for one-way flights, so it's always a good idea to shop around and compare prices before booking.
In conclusion, while it may be more convenient to book multiple one-way flights for a trip involving different airports, it is often more cost-effective to explore alternative options. By considering round-trip, open-jaw, or multi-city itineraries, you may be able to find significant savings and streamline your booking process. However, don't forget to shop around and compare prices across different airlines and travel agencies to ensure you're getting the best deal for your specific journey.
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Multi-city flights can be cheaper than booking separate one-way tickets
When planning a trip, one of the most important considerations is the cost of flights. A common question that arises is whether it is more cost-effective to book a multi-city ticket or separate one-way tickets for each leg of the journey. While there may be advantages to both options depending on the specific itinerary and traveller preferences, it is generally observed that booking a multi-city ticket can often be cheaper than purchasing separate one-way tickets.
In a price comparison example provided by Skyscanner, a solo traveller booking multiple flights for a 16-day trip from Chicago to Quito, Quito to Lima, and then returning to Chicago saved $140 when compared to booking separate one-way tickets for each leg of the journey. Similarly, for a family of four with two adults and two children, booking multiple flights for the same itinerary resulted in savings of $184. These examples demonstrate that booking multi-city flights can indeed be more economical than purchasing separate one-way tickets.
Another advantage of booking a multi-city ticket is the convenience of having all your flights under one booking. This means that if your first flight is delayed and you arrive late for your second flight, the airline is more likely to accommodate you and ensure you make your connection. In contrast, if you book separate one-way tickets and your first flight is delayed, causing you to miss your second flight, the airline may consider you a "no-show" and provide no accommodation or compensation. Additionally, booking a multi-city ticket can sometimes be cheaper than a single ticket with a layover. For example, booking separate flights from Toronto to Nashville with a layover in DC can be significantly more expensive than booking a multi-city trip with the same origin and destination.
However, it is important to consider other factors besides cost when deciding between multi-city tickets and separate one-way tickets. For example, booking separate one-way tickets may offer more flexibility in terms of choosing different carriers for each leg of your journey, allowing you to experience different airlines and potentially have a more comfortable journey. Additionally, booking separate one-way tickets can simplify baggage policies, especially if you plan to travel with carry-on luggage only. By booking separate tickets, you may not need to collect and re-check your bags at each layover, making your travel experience more seamless.
In conclusion, while there are valid arguments for both options, booking multi-city flights can often be cheaper than purchasing separate one-way tickets. Travellers can benefit from significant cost savings, especially on lengthy or complex itineraries involving multiple destinations. However, it is always advisable to conduct a thorough search and compare prices for both options before booking to make an informed decision based on your specific needs and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
A multi-city flight is a type of itinerary that involves flying to multiple destinations, often with a stopover in each city.
Yes, you can. This type of itinerary is called an "open-jaw" flight.
You can book an open-jaw flight by going to an airline's or online travel agency's website and clicking on the link that says "Multi-city", "Advanced Search", or "More Search Options".
It depends. Multi-city flights can be cheaper, especially for long-haul flights. However, for short-haul travel, it might be more affordable to book individual one-way tickets.
United Airlines offers multi-city flight options, allowing you to book an itinerary with up to six different legs for your trip. Kayak also offers multi-city flight bookings.
