This is one of the most misleading and dishonest practices in the U.S. airline industry, and it hurts customers every day. It’s time we did something about it.
“Direct” flights have been around for more than two decades, and by now frequent travelers know that they are not the same as nonstop flights. But because the Department of Transportation never provided a legal definition, airlines have bent the concept to the point where many “direct” flights are no different from connecting flights. As a result, the advertised benefits of “seamless travel” for passengers have all but vanished.
Initially, a “direct” flight was supposed to consist of more than one leg operated by the same plane. Later, plane changes were introduced, but the second leg was supposed to leave from a gate close to the arrival gate of the first leg. Then the gates no longer mattered, but the “continuation” was supposed to wait until the previous flight got in. Now that’s out the window, too.
As I wrote in 2008, the champions of those fake “direct” flights are Delta Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. Most of their international flights — dozens of them — have a domestic tag with the same number. “We do it for competitive reasons,” said Delta spokeswoman Susan Elliott. “We try pairing up higher-demand connection markets.”
Here are some of the main disadvantages of “direct” flights:
-
Missing the second part of your flight — during weather delays and other disruptions, the second leg of a “direct” flight often leaves before the first leg has landed, just like any connecting flight;
-
Losing upgrades — if an upgrade is available on your first leg, but not on the second, under normal circumstances you would be able to confirm the first and waitlist the second. However, when you are booked on a “direct” flight, both legs must be available at the same time. The problem is that often, by the time an upgrade on the second leg opens up, the first is no longer available;
-
Losing frequent-flier miles — some airlines give you credit for a nonstop flight, which is often shorter, instead of awarding you the actual miles flown.
Please use the comments section below to share examples of fake “direct” flights that have inconvenienced you or someone you know. I’ll do my best to bring them to the attention of the Department of Transportation and urge it to review and limit this practice.
Tags: 'Direct' Flights, airlines, Travel
