Can you hop off a connecting flight?

Skiplagging, also known as hidden city ticketing, is when a customer books a connecting flight, but actually gets off at the layover airport rather than their final destination.



"Hopping off" a connecting flight—a practice known as "Skiplagging" or "Hidden City Ticketing"—is a controversial travel hack that is legal but strictly prohibited by the "Contract of Carriage" of almost all major airlines. This occurs when you book a flight from Point A to Point C with a layover in Point B, but you exit the airport at Point B (your actual destination) because it was cheaper than a direct flight. While you won't be arrested, the consequences can be severe: the airline will immediately cancel the remainder of your itinerary, including any return flights. Furthermore, you cannot check a bag, as it will be sent to the final destination on your ticket. In 2026, airlines use advanced algorithms to track this behavior; repeat offenders risk losing their frequent flyer miles, having their elite status revoked, or being permanently banned from the airline. Unless it is an emergency or you have booked a one-way trip with carry-on only and no intentions of flying that airline again soon, it is a highly risky strategy.

People Also Ask

Skipping the first leg of a connecting flight is usually a bad idea. Whenever a passenger doesn't show up for the first leg of a connecting flight, the airline cancels all the other upcoming flights on the same ticket for that passenger. This also applies to any other leg of the flight that isn't the last one.

MORE DETAILS

You can do it. For flights with a series of itineraries such as return flights and connecting flights, special treatment (change only once or cancel without charge (refund) even if the flight itself is not delayed or canceled) is possible.

MORE DETAILS

The practice goes by a few different names, including skiplagging or hidden-city flying. Passengers disembark at their layover city, leaving an empty seat on their next flight, and save money in the process. But airlines are cracking down on the practice, claiming it breaches their rules and costs them revenue.

MORE DETAILS

While not illegal, intentionally skipping segments on an itinerary does almost always violates airlines' contracts of carriage.

MORE DETAILS

Is skiplagging illegal? No, but it's against most airlines' contracts of carriage or the rules people must follow to fly with the airline. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines both put skiplagging first on their lists of prohibited booking practices.

MORE DETAILS

If legs are missed, airlines can cancel the whole journey, including any future returns. This is something that travelers often forget about. They may change plans on the spur of the moment, choosing a scenic road trip or rail journey, but plan to use their pre-booked return for the trip home.

MORE DETAILS

“Hidden city ticketing,” or booking a flight with the intention of getting off at the layover city rather than the final destination, is perfectly legal, but there are some factors to consider before making it a habit.

MORE DETAILS

No. According the fare rules of almost all airlines, they will cancel all subsequent legs if you miss the first one. You can do so, but you would have to call the airline to let them know or else they will cancel the entire flight.

MORE DETAILS

Throwaway ticketing is purchasing a ticket with the intent to use only a portion of the included travel. This situation may arise when a passenger wants to travel only one way, but where the discounted round-trip excursion fare is cheaper than a one-way ticket.

MORE DETAILS

She continued: “While a one-off occurrence could go unnoticed, any travelers that are repeat offenders run the risk of being flagged in the airline's system and potentially banned from flying with the airline in the future.”

MORE DETAILS

While skiplagging isn't illegal, American Airlines filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month against Skiplagged.com, accusing the company of unauthorized and deceptive ticketing practices and tricking customers into believing they've gained access to a secret loophole.

MORE DETAILS

It's not against the law. But it is a violation of the contract of carriage you entered into when you bought your ticket. Many people do this. It's called “Hidden City Ticketing” and it's a practice that should be used lightly because the airline will just ban you in the future if you do this too much.

MORE DETAILS

Airlines typically require that both legs of the journey be cancelled together in order to receive a refund or credit for future travel. However, if your plans have changed and you no longer need to take the return portion of your flight, some airlines may allow you to change it for a fee.

MORE DETAILS

But skiplagging is controversial, and many airlines frown upon it — so much that it can be punishable by miles or status cancellations and even a lifetime ban from the airline.

MORE DETAILS

Limit interaction with the airline's employees
He said passengers planning to use hidden city tickets should avoid in-person check-in and use online or mobile check-in instead. To avoid arousing suspicion when skiplagging, fly under the radar and avoid speaking to airline staff unless necessary.

MORE DETAILS

But truth be told, we're the exception to the rule. While there are many pilot and flight attendant couples, and many flight attendants married or committed to other flight attendants, and many pilots with the same connections with other pilots, several factors have made those connections less likely.

MORE DETAILS