A portion of an air journey between two consecutive takeoff and landing locations constitutes a distinct unit of travel. For instance, a trip from New York to London with a layover in Dublin would comprise two such units: New York to Dublin, and Dublin to London.
Understanding these individual travel components is essential for accurate pricing, itinerary planning, and frequent flyer program mileage calculations. Historically, the concept evolved with the growth of hub-and-spoke airline networks, enabling more complex routing and pricing strategies. This granular approach to air travel allows for more flexible fare structures and facilitates the creation of multifaceted itineraries tailored to passenger needs.