The practice of reserving individual flight segments for a multi-leg journey, rather than a single itinerary through one airline or a codeshare agreement, offers travelers potential advantages. For example, a traveler might fly from New York to London on one airline, then London to Rome on a different carrier. This approach contrasts with booking a single ticket for the entire New York to Rome trip.
Reserving individual segments can sometimes yield lower fares by allowing access to a wider range of airlines and pricing options. It also provides greater flexibility in choosing specific flight times, airlines, and cabin classes to tailor the journey to individual preferences. Historically, the rise of online travel agencies and metasearch engines has simplified this process, enabling travelers to easily compare and combine flights from different carriers. However, this approach can introduce complexities related to baggage transfer, potential missed connections, and varied airline policies.
