Online Reports Warning of Recent Retaliation from Airlines for Using Skiplagging / Skiplagged

Skiplagging, also known as "hidden city ticketing," is a travel strategy where passengers book flights with a layover at their intended destination, then disembark at the layover point instead of continuing to the final destination on the ticket. This method can sometimes result in lower fares, but it comes with significant risks as it violates most airlines' contracts of carriage. While skiplagging itself is not illegal, airlines have been increasingly retaliating against passengers who engage in this practice.

Specific Examples of Airline Actions Against Passengers

Airlines have employed various measures to deter skiplagging, including:

Ticket Cancellation and Denial of Boarding: A notable incident involved a 17-year-old who was banned from American Airlines for three years after attempting to use a skiplagged ticket. His ticket was canceled, and he was denied boarding. In another case, a passenger was denied boarding after an airline agent flagged their itinerary as suspicious, resulting in the ticket being voided and a three-year travel ban.
Financial Penalties and Account Bans: Passengers caught skiplagging have faced substantial financial penalties. For instance, a United passenger was charged thousands of dollars for skiplagging 38 times, and an American Airlines passenger was charged $2,500 for skiplagging 52 times. Another passenger was banned from American Airlines' frequent flyer program and lost 50,000 loyalty points, with the option to reinstate them by paying nearly $10,000.
Legal Repercussions: Airlines have pursued legal action against both passengers and companies facilitating skiplagging. American Airlines filed a lawsuit against Skiplagged Inc., seeking damages for lost revenue and accusing the website of deception and violating airline policies. In October 2024, a federal jury awarded American Airlines $9.4 million in damages for copyright infringement and revenue loss caused by Skiplagged. United Airlines also sued Skiplagged in 2014, though the case was dismissed on procedural grounds. Lufthansa successfully sued a passenger in 2018 for skiplagging.
Closure of Loyalty Accounts: Delta reportedly closed multiple loyalty accounts in December 2024 for passengers caught skiplagging. These passengers were also banned from earning or redeeming miles for a year.
Cancellation of Return Flights: Airlines have canceled the return legs of round-trip tickets for passengers suspected of skiplagging. Delta has broadened its ban policy to include passengers who skip their return flights.

Legal Perspectives and Policy Updates

Most airlines have updated their Contracts of Carriage (COC) to explicitly prohibit skiplagging. Consequences now include:

Ticket cancellation (including return legs).
Confiscation of unused flight coupons.
Loyalty account closures.
Legal action for damages.

Airlines are also leveraging sophisticated data analytics to monitor passenger booking patterns and identify skiplaggers. This includes analyzing flight histories and booking trends to detect and prevent skiplagging.

Public Sentiment

Public sentiment on skiplagging and airline retaliation is mixed. Many view skiplagging as a clever way to save money on airfare, comparing it to buying a sandwich and only eating half. However, others see it as unethical or risky. Social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit reflect these divided opinions, with some users criticizing airlines for their harsh retaliation and accusing them of exploiting opaque pricing models. News outlets have reported on the growing backlash, with some articles questioning the fairness of airline pricing models that incentivize skiplagging.

Airlines Most Actively Pursuing Retaliation

Several major airlines are particularly active in pursuing retaliation against skiplaggers:

American Airlines: Known for its strict stance, American Airlines has canceled tickets, banned passengers, and taken legal action against Skiplagged. They have been awarded substantial damages in court for revenue loss caused by skiplagging.
United Airlines: United has a history of legal action against Skiplagged and has policies in place to punish passengers who skiplag. They have charged passengers thousands of dollars for repeated instances of skiplagging.
Delta Air Lines: Delta has focused on loyalty account closures and fare adjustments for detected skiplagging. They have also broadened their ban policy to include passengers who skip their return flights.
Lufthansa: Lufthansa has sued passengers for damages resulting from skiplagging and is appealing a dismissed case from 2018.
Southwest Airlines: While primarily operating a point-to-point network, Southwest has also sued Skiplagged for displaying their fares, although they are less vulnerable to skiplagging due to their network structure.

Recommendations for Passengers

For passengers considering skiplagging, the following guidance is recommended: