Skiplagging: A Flight-Saving Strategy That Alerts Airlines
Understanding skiplagging and its controversy
Traveling on a budget is a common goal for many people, and one lesser-known strategy for achieving this is skiplagging, also known as “hidden city flights.” This tactic involves booking flights with layovers but intentionally skipping the final leg of the journey. Often, flights to certain destinations with layovers are cheaper than direct flights, making this method an attractive option for cost-conscious travelers.
The emergence of skiplagging
The concept of skiplagging was popularized by Aktarer Zaman, the founder of Skiplagged, a platform created in 2013 to identify these money-saving opportunities. Zaman stumbled upon this strategy while searching for flights from New York and noticed that flights with layovers in other cities were significantly cheaper than direct flights. This pricing discrepancy is due to airlines basing their fares on market demand rather than distance traveled.
Considering the risks of skiplagging
While skiplagging may seem like a clever way to save money, it does come with risks. Airlines closely monitor this practice and may penalize passengers who use it frequently. Additionally, checked baggage poses a challenge as it will likely end up at the final destination on the ticket, not where the passenger decides to disembark. Skiplagged advises caution when using this strategy and recommends avoiding overuse with the same airline to minimize the risk of penalties.
