Skiplagging: The travel hack that's ruffling airline feathers
Tourists have always looked for ways to save on airline tickets. Now they have found a new method—skiplagging. What does this controversial method involve?
Ticket prices in cities that are popular with tourists can be very high. However, travellers have found a way to save money by using a method known as "skiplagging".
"Skiplagging" - How does it work?
The intriguing trend involves booking flights with a stopover in a city that is actually the real destination of the trip. This way, you can avoid more expensive direct connections. An example could be a flight from New York to Chicago, where the traveller books a ticket to Denver with a stopover in Chicago. Upon reaching Chicago, they leave the airport without using the rest of the journey.
Time Out reports that in recent months, the number of people using "skiplagging" has increased significantly. Although the method is generally legal, it raises quite a bit of controversy in the aviation industry.
Airlines opposed to the new trend
Airlines claim that "skiplagging" violates agreements with passengers. For example, British Airways and United Airlines have stated that they may impose penalties on passengers who do not show up for the second flight. Interestingly, in 2016, Lufthansa sued a customer who opted out of the last leg of their flight, but the court sided with the passenger.
A potential issue may be checked baggage, which is typically delivered only after completing the entire journey, forcing travellers to carry only hand luggage. Travellers need to be aware of the risks.
