Airline Retaliation Against Skiplagging: A Comprehensive Overview

Skiplagging, also known as "hidden city ticketing," is a travel strategy where passengers book a flight with a layover in their intended destination and intentionally skip the final leg of the journey. This practice is often used to exploit fare differences between direct and connecting flights, allowing travelers to potentially save money. However, airlines strongly discourage skiplagging, viewing it as a violation of their contract of carriage and a practice that can lead to operational disruptions and revenue loss. Recent reports indicate that airlines are intensifying their efforts to combat skiplagging and are implementing various measures to deter and penalize passengers who engage in this practice.

Understanding Skiplagging and Its Appeal

The allure of skiplagging lies in the often-complex pricing structures of airline tickets. In many cases, a flight from city A to city C with a layover in city B can be cheaper than a direct flight from city A to city B. This discrepancy arises due to various factors, including market demand, competition on specific routes, and the hub-and-spoke model employed by many airlines. Travelers who are aware of these pricing anomalies can take advantage of them by booking a flight to city C but disembarking in city B, their actual desired destination.

For example, a direct flight from New York to Chicago might cost $300, while a flight from New York to Los Angeles with a layover in Chicago might cost only $200. A traveler whose destination is Chicago could book the latter flight and simply not board the connecting flight to Los Angeles, effectively saving $100.

Airlines' Perspective on Skiplagging

From an airline's perspective, skiplagging is problematic for several reasons:

Revenue Loss: Airlines carefully manage their inventory and pricing to maximize revenue. When passengers book a flight but do not complete the entire journey, it can disrupt the airline's revenue management system and potentially lead to empty seats on the final leg, resulting in lost revenue.
Operational Disruptions: Skiplagging can cause operational inefficiencies. For instance, if a passenger does not show up for the final leg of their journey, the airline may delay the flight while searching for the missing passenger, assuming they are simply late. This can lead to delays for other passengers and potentially disrupt connecting flights.
Contractual Violations: Airlines argue that skiplagging violates the contract of carriage, which passengers implicitly agree to when they purchase a ticket. This contract typically stipulates that passengers must complete the entire itinerary as booked.
Inventory Management: Skiplagging can distort an airline's ability to accurately forecast demand and manage its inventory. If a significant number of passengers are engaging in skiplagging, it can make it difficult for the airline to determine the true demand for specific routes and adjust its schedules and pricing accordingly.

Recent Airline Actions Against Skiplagging

Airlines are becoming increasingly vigilant in their efforts to detect and deter skiplagging. Recent reports highlight a range of actions being taken, including:

Cancellation of Tickets: Airlines may cancel the remaining portion of a passenger's itinerary if they suspect skiplagging. This means that if a passenger skips the second leg of an outbound flight, their return flight may be canceled.
Frequent Flyer Account Suspension or Termination: Airlines may suspend or terminate the frequent flyer accounts of passengers who are found to be engaging in skiplagging. This can result in the loss of accumulated miles and elite status benefits.
Bans and Blacklists: In some cases, airlines have banned passengers from future flights or added them to internal blacklists for engaging in skiplagging. For example, American Airlines reportedly removed a 17-year-old from a flight and banned him for three years for attempting to use a skiplagged ticket.
Additional Fees and Fines: Some airlines are implementing fees or fines for passengers who do not complete their entire itinerary. These fees can be substantial and may be charged retroactively.
Legal Action: Airlines have pursued legal action against both passengers and websites that promote skiplagging. Notable examples include:
- American Airlines vs. Skiplagged: American Airlines has been actively pursuing a lawsuit against Skiplagged, a website that helps travelers find hidden city fares. The airline claims that Skiplagged's promotion of this practice violates airline policies, infringes on trademarks, and risks voiding customers' tickets. American Airlines initially sought $94.4 million in damages but was awarded $9.4 million in copyright damages.
- United Airlines and Orbitz vs. Skiplagged (2014): United Airlines and Orbitz sued Skiplagged in 2014, alleging that the website was promoting "strictly prohibited" travel and engaging in unfair competition. The case was ultimately settled.
- Southwest Airlines vs. Skiplagged (2021): Southwest Airlines filed a similar lawsuit against Skiplagged in 2021, but the case was dismissed.
Increased Monitoring and Scrutiny: Airlines are employing advanced technology and data analytics to monitor passenger behavior and detect patterns that may indicate skiplagging. Passengers using skiplagged itineraries may face increased scrutiny during check-in, boarding, or when earning frequent flyer miles.
Policy Changes: Many airlines have updated their terms of service to explicitly prohibit skiplagging and outline the potential consequences for attempting it. These policies are often included in the contract of carriage that passengers agree to when purchasing a ticket.

Specific Airlines and Their Stances

While most major airlines have policies against skiplagging, some have been more vocal and active in enforcing these policies. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Lufthansa are among the carriers that have taken a particularly strong stance against this practice.

American Airlines, in particular, has been at the forefront of the legal battle against Skiplagged, demonstrating its commitment to combating hidden city ticketing. United Airlines has also been involved in legal action and has publicly stated its opposition to skiplagging. Lufthansa, a major European carrier, has also been known to take action against passengers who engage in this practice.

Risks and Considerations for Travelers

While skiplagging may offer potential cost savings, it is essential for travelers to understand the risks involved:

Ticket Cancellation: As mentioned earlier, airlines may cancel the remaining portion of your itinerary if they detect skiplagging. This could leave you stranded without a return flight.
Loss of Frequent Flyer Benefits: If you are a member of an airline's loyalty program, engaging in skiplagging could jeopardize your accumulated miles and elite status.
Bans and Blacklists: Being banned from an airline or added to a blacklist could significantly limit your future travel options, especially if you frequently fly with a particular carrier or alliance.
Financial Penalties: You may be charged additional fees or fines, potentially negating any savings you achieved through skiplagging.
Legal Action: While less common, there is a possibility of facing legal action from an airline, particularly if you are a frequent skiplagger or if you are involved in promoting this practice.
Checked Baggage Issues: If you check bags, they will be tagged to your final destination, not your intended layover city. This could create significant logistical challenges if you plan to disembark at the layover point.
Ethical Considerations: Some travelers may have ethical concerns about skiplagging, as it involves intentionally violating the terms of a contract with the airline.

Minimizing the Risks of Skiplagging

If you choose to engage in skiplagging despite the risks, there are some steps you can take to minimize the chances of facing negative consequences:

Avoid Using Frequent Flyer Accounts: Do not link your frequent flyer account to a skiplagged itinerary. This will make it more difficult for the airline to track your travel patterns and identify you as a skiplagger.
Do Not Check Bags: Only travel with carry-on luggage to avoid the issue of your bags being sent to the final destination.
Book One-Way Tickets: Booking one-way tickets instead of round-trip itineraries can help prevent the airline from canceling your return flight if they detect skiplagging on the outbound leg.
Be Discreet: Avoid drawing attention to yourself during check-in or boarding. Do not discuss your travel plans with airline staff or other passengers.
Use Skiplagging Sparingly: Do not make a habit of skiplagging, especially with the same airline. Frequent use increases the likelihood of detection.
Be Prepared for Consequences: Understand that even if you take precautions, there is still a risk of facing consequences. Be prepared to deal with potential issues, such as ticket cancellations or fees.

Alternatives to Skiplagging

If you are looking for ways to save money on airfare without resorting to skiplagging, consider these alternatives:

Be Flexible with Travel Dates and Times: Flying during off-peak seasons or at less popular times can often result in lower fares.
Consider Nearby Airports: Sometimes, flying into or out of a smaller airport near your destination can be cheaper than using a major hub.
Use Flight Comparison Websites: Websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak can help you compare prices across multiple airlines and find the best deals.
Sign Up for Fare Alerts: Many travel websites offer fare alerts that notify you when prices drop for your desired route.
Consider Budget Airlines: Budget airlines often offer lower base fares, although they may charge extra for amenities like checked bags and seat selection.
Book in Advance: Generally, booking your flights well in advance can help you secure lower fares.
Travel During the Off-Season: If your travel dates are flexible, consider traveling during the off-season when demand is lower and prices tend to be more affordable.

The Future of Skiplagging

The ongoing legal battles and increased enforcement efforts by airlines suggest that skiplagging will likely become more difficult and risky in the future. Airlines are investing in technology and strategies to detect and deter this practice, and they are becoming more aggressive in pursuing legal action against those who promote it. As a result, travelers who engage in skiplagging may face more severe consequences, including higher fines, longer bans, and potentially even criminal charges in extreme cases.

The outcome of the American Airlines lawsuit against Skiplagged could have significant implications for the future of hidden city ticketing. If American Airlines prevails, it could set a precedent that allows other airlines to take similar legal action against websites and individuals who promote skiplagging. This could lead to a significant decrease in the availability of information about hidden city fares and make it more difficult for travelers to find and book these types of tickets.

Conclusion

Skiplagging is a complex issue with both potential benefits and significant risks for travelers. While it can offer a way to save money on airfare, it also violates airline policies and can lead to a range of negative consequences, including ticket cancellations, loss of frequent flyer benefits, bans, fines, and even legal action. Airlines are actively working to combat skiplagging through increased monitoring, policy changes, and legal action against websites that promote this practice.

Travelers considering skiplagging should carefully weigh the potential savings against the risks involved. It is essential to understand the airline's terms and conditions, be aware of the potential consequences, and take steps to minimize the chances of detection if you choose to engage in this practice. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to skiplag is a personal one, but it should be made with a full understanding of the potential ramifications.