Unprotected layover without changing airlines
I am booking a flight on Delta from RDU to LHR. I can save 50% of the ticket cost by building my own RDU - LHR itinerary out of two round-trip itineraries, one from RDU to JFK and one from JFK to LHR. This entails some risk, and I would need to build in some buffer time to account for randomness (especially at JFK, and especially at customs on the return).
Since these flights are all on the same airline, I could mitigate this risk if Delta would work with me to create a protected layover, by binding the two itineraries into a single round-trip itinerary after I have booked them. Do airlines typically, and does Delta in particular, allow for this?
Related questions have been answered with regard to unprotected layovers and changing airlines, I could not find any answers on unprotected layovers while staying on the same airline.
For the dates I'm interested in:
- RDU - LHR (via JFK): $1400
- RDU - JFK: $150
- JFK - LHR: $550
Best Answer
The answer is this: yes, Delta will build this for you, at that higher fare. There must be more competition on the RDU-JFK and JFK-LHR routes than on the RDU-LHR route, so the fares are skewed.
Also, it's possible that the RDU-LHR route has higher fares because of connection risks at JFK - in part, you're paying a risk premium.
You can certainly ask, but there's a reason Delta in this case charges what it charges for RDU-...-LHR.
If you want a lower fare, check out alternatives. For example, Air Canada can fly you RDU-YYZ-LHR/LGW and has more reason than Delta to provide you with a low fare.
Pictures about "Unprotected layover without changing airlines"
Do I need to go through security for a connecting flight?
Yes, a security check is mandatory when you take a connecting flight. This is because there is a time lag between getting off one aeroplane and getting on-board another to reach your destination.Can I stay at my layover?
Yes, you can leave the airport during domestic layovers. For instance, if you're a US citizen and have a layover within the country, it is legal and safe to leave the airport. Be aware that you'll probably be getting two boarding passes if the domestic layover is more than an hour.Can I miss my first flight and get on my connecting flight?
When you miss that first flight, whether or not you cancel or no-show, the entire ticket becomes void. This rule also applies to connecting flights.What is the difference between layover and stopover?
The main difference between a stopover and layover is length of time. Stopover rules vary by airline, but are essentially longer layovers \u2014 at least 24 hours in length. Layovers, meanwhile, are connections less than a day in length depending on if you're flying domestically or internationally.DON'T LET THIS RUIN YOUR TRIP! | *Tips for short connecting flights*
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