Why do some airlines charge more for break journeys

score:8

Accepted answer

That is the price. Anything less than 24 hours is not a "stopover" (there are sometimes different definitions but for an international itinerary, 24 hours is the normal definition). A stop of under 24 hours is just a connection (or sometimes this is called a "layover"). Adding a stop of more than 24 hours often results in either a stopover fee or a complete repricing to a higher priced fare or set of fares.

Of course, this is deliberate. The reason the price is more is that the market will tolerate it (many people want to spend a couple of days in a major city) and the airline's duty is to make as much money as possible for its owners.

There are ways to find good deals with stopovers included. Other questions have been asked about multicity itineraries, it may be worth looking at those questions.

Upvote:1

  • Airlines charge more if they think the market will bear it, especially if they suspect customer may abuse this pricing to check luggage on a hidden city ticket.
  • They may be required to collect additional taxes, if local government regulations count it as two flights rather than a transfer.
  • The airline may assess the situation and decide they have additional costs (extra check-in) and liabilities and raise prices because of that.
  • The fare may not be available for both dates you choose.

Upvote:3

I have no proof, but this is what I always have been told:
They do charge more because the market has proven that people are willing to pay those prices.

The companies that do not charge extra, Icelandair among them, go by the idea that more people will travel with them if they can stay a day or couple of days in their hub country.
The other companies do not see additional travelers or not enough to offset the extra income from those that pay the higher fees.

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