What's the difference between a direct and a non-stop flight?
In a comment to one of my question, a user mentioned that there is a difference between a direct and a non-stop flight. So what is this difference?
Best Answer
Here you go: Wikipedia to the rescue!
A direct flight in the aviation industry is any flight between two points by an airline with no change in flight numbers, which may include a stop over at an intermediate point. The stop over may either be to get new passengers (or allow some to disembark) or a mere technical stop over (i.e. for refuelling purposes only). These are often confused with non-stop flights, which are direct flights involving no intermediate stops.
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Is direct flight and non-stop flight same?
To avoid any future confusion, listen up. Nonstop flights take you from one airport to another without stopping. Board the plane, buckle your seatbelt, and the next time you touch ground you have reached your destination. Direct flights, however, don't offer the same convenience.Are direct flights non-stop?
A direct flight is from one airport to another, but includes stops in one or more cities along the way. The flight number or aircraft and your boarding pass remain the same, however, until the final destination is reached.Are non-stop flights better?
For most people, nonstop flights offer a kind of convenience that is unmatched. A nonstop flight means less time in the sky (usually), less time at airports, and less overall time during the day that you have to devote to the travel experience.what. (Bo Burnham FULL SHOW HD)
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Answer 2
Another source, from Matrix: (click the ? for their Glossary)
Flight/Direct flight = One or more legs, on the same airline, in which each leg has the same flight number
Non-stop flight = A flight with only one leg
Answer 3
A non-stop flight has no "other" stops, besides the point of destination.
A direct flight is sometimes known as a "continuing flight." That is, it will leave point A, stop at point B, and continue to point C. In a direct flight to point C, there is no danger of being left behind at point B (unless you get off the plane). Because if the plane arrives late at point B, it will also LEAVE late. But since you're on the plane, you'll get to point C.
This is in contrast to a "connecting flight," where you ride plane X from point A to point B, change to plane Y at point B, and fly from there to point C. Because if plane X arrives later at point B than plane Y departs, you will be "stranded" at point B.
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