Skipping a connecting flight is generally not illegal, but it can have consequences. Airlines have rules that require passengers to follow the entire itinerary they've booked. If you skip a connecting flight, your remaining flights might be canceled, and you might not be eligible for a refund.

Technically, you can physically "skip" a layover flight—a practice often called "Hidden City Ticketing"—but it carries significant risks and usually violates the airline's Contract of Carriage. If you book a flight from City A to City C with a layover in City B (your actual destination) and exit the airport at City B, the airline's system will automatically cancel all remaining segments of your itinerary, including your return flight. You also cannot check luggage, as it will be tagged through to the final destination (City C). In 2026, airlines use sophisticated algorithms to track "skiplaggers," and repeated offenses can lead to your frequent flyer account being frozen, your miles being confiscated, or even being banned from the airline entirely. While not illegal in a criminal sense, it is a breach of contract. The only safe way to skip a flight is if it is the absolute final leg of a one-way trip and you have no checked bags, though the airline may still send you a bill for the "fare difference" if they detect the pattern.