How can I search for flights from city A to city B only via city C?

How can I search for flights from city A to city B only via city C? - Diverse couple having breakfast in cafe while exploring map

I want to find the cheapest flight options between two cities but I'm not able to transit through some countries and I know at least a couple of airlines have an option through a particular third city.

But I don't know which, if any, flight search engines can search one specific but non-direct route.

Is there a way to do this?

(I'm looking for a general method but if you need an example, I'd be going from Beijing to Mexico via Vancouver. I specifically cannot go via any US airport.)



Best Answer

When you search a route on google flights there is a dropdown labeled "connecting airports". This shows all the connecting airports google has found and lets you select/deselect them. There is also a link next to the airport name that lets you select only that airport if you wish.

Unfortunately it doesn't tell you which country each airport is in, so you have to look that up for yourself if you are trying to avoid the US.

I went through the list ticking any that didn't sound like they were in the US and it seems to reveal the route you suggest along with a number of options via Europe.




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How do you find a flight with a layover in a certain city?

  • Search hubs from your home airport. ...
  • Search hubs from your destination airport. ...
  • Search routes between your stopover-worthy cities. ...
  • Enter your route into the Google Flights multi-city tool. ...
  • Check the dates for each leg separately. ...
  • Plug the cheap dates into your multi-city itinerary. ...
  • Book your ticket.


  • What is a multi-city ticket?

    A multi-city flight is an advanced airline ticket which allows you to travel across the world using multiple stops: greatly increasing the value of your trip by booking extra legs with stopovers in several different cities!

    Can I fly to one city and return from another?

    Yes. If you depart from one airport but return to another, or fly to one airport and return from another, this is called an open-jaw flight.

    How do I arrange my connecting flights?

    Tips for making a connecting flight
  • Know the minimum connection time required at your airport. ...
  • Fly on a single ticket when you need to connect flights. ...
  • Stick to one airline or alliance on a connection. ...
  • Avoid two-ticket trips when connecting flights. ...
  • Pad your schedule. ...
  • Avoid the last connection.




  • Hidden City Ticketing: What is it? Is it safe? How do you use it?




    More answers regarding how can I search for flights from city A to city B only via city C?

    Answer 2

    You can do this by using ita Matrix.

    After filling in the "Departing from" and "Destination" fields, you can click on "Advanced controls".

    Advanced controls

    Then you can fill in the three letter airport-codes separated with commas for the outbound and return flights:

    advances routes (in this example we would go through Amsterdam or Paris for the outbound flight and Doha or Basel for the inbound flight.)

    You can btw. also exclude airports by writing ~SFO for example.

    Sadly, you can't book through ita flight matrix, but this Website has you covered: Gingertravelguru

    Have fun searching for flights.

    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Samson Katt, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio, Samson Katt