![]() ![]() Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via Imagn Content Services, LLC Airlines claim they could lose millions of dollars annually to skiplagging. “It is, in a way, a form of airline shoplifting,” he added. “The fact of the matter is that skiplagging only exists as a result of airline’s own pricing schemes,” said Dan Gellert, chief operating officer at, a third party site Parsons’ family acknowledged it had used to book flights for years.Īirlines aren’t taking these tactics lightly since they risk to lose - potentially - millions of dollars annually, Harteveldt said. Take the Wednesday leading into Thanksgiving in November: A trip on American from Gainesville to Charlotte would cost $315.īut a flight from Gainesville to New York with a layover in Charlotte comes to just $237 (someone skiplagging would skip the Charlotte-to-New York leg). Logan Parsons, 17, has been banned from traveling on American Airlines over accusations of skiplagging to save money. In many ways, though, the schemes are actually a product of fluid pricing models now used by major airlines, which are driven heavily by demand-based algorithms.įor instance, a quick check of Google Flights shows why someone in Parsons’ shoes might be swayed to book such an itinerary in the first place. American’s policies, for one, prohibit booking a trip “without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares.”ĭelta Air Lines, United Airlines and numerous other US carriers have similar policies in place for skiplagging and similarly crafty booking methods.Įach carrier deferred to its written policies when The Post asked about its plans to combat the tactic. Skiplagging isn’t illegal, but it is banned by most major airlines. “And they may - silently - monitor your future bookings.” “The fact of the matter is that skiplagging only exists as a result of airline’s own pricing schemes,” said a source. ![]() “They may flag your name in their reservation system,” Harteveldt said. (Ultimately, security rules require a correct name and date of birth.) Such technology, he explained, can help airlines catch even those passengers who try to remain conspicuous by leaving some personal information - like their frequent flyer number - off their reservation. “The airlines have been developing software programs and algorithms for several years to identify customers who may be using a hidden-city fare,” Harteveldt said. Between 20, major US carriers such as United invested nearly $30 billion in information technology infrastructure - which will be used, in part, to identify skiplaggers. Those investments are aimed, first and foremost, at improving airline operations and passenger-facing elements like customer support and booking channels.īut the smarter technology also aids airlines in identifying customers who repeatedly no-show on flights - a telltale sign of skiplaggers, who book a flight to one destination but disembark during the layover to skirt the higher price of a nonstop flight to that city. In fact, between 20, major US carriers invested nearly $30 billion in information technology infrastructure, according to Airlines for America, a trade group for the largest US carriers. US airlines are cracking down on skiplagging - investing in technology and staffing to bust and ban travelers attempting to save money by doing it. “It’s enough of a problem that the airlines have invested staff and technology resources to combat the use of hidden-city fares,” said Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group. The alleged scheme landed Logan Parsons, 17, with a three-year ban on the airline, his family told Insider.Īnd other flyers who attempt the tactic could face similar consequences, industry experts warn. Spirit to ground 7 planes over engine issueĪirlines are cracking down on a travel hack that can save customers money, while carrying ‘substantial’ risk for those who try it.Įarlier this month, a North Carolina teen who booked on a flight from Florida to New York learned the consequences of hidden-city booking, or “ skiplagging,” when American Airlines agents caught him apparently planning to disembark during his layover in Charlotte. I took a 25-hour flight and my legs turned into ‘chunky little hoofs’ Aussie traveller reveals how she upgraded to business class for $17Īmerica’s Top 10 favorite airports and the weather you can expect ![]()
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