American Airlines has banned a 17-year-old North Carolina teenager from flying with them for three years after he was caught trying to use a popular cost-saving travel hack known as skiplagging. The teen’s father claims his son was detained and interrogated at a Florida airport, even though he had not violated any policies or broken any contracts.
This incident sheds light on the practice of skiplagging, which is against the travel policies of most major airlines.
Teen Detained for Skiplagging:
Father Speaks Out
Hunter Parsons, the father of the 17-year-old, revealed that his son was stopped by a gate agent before boarding a flight from Gainesville, Florida, to New York City due to suspicions of skiplagging. Skiplagging involves intending to travel only to the connecting city rather than the final destination stated on the boarding pass, in an effort to save money.
The teenager’s ticket was canceled, and he was subsequently banned from flying with American Airlines for three years, despite not having done anything wrong according to his father.
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Controversy Surrounding Skiplagging:
Violation of Airline Policies
Skiplagging, also known as hidden city ticketing or point beyond ticketing, is widely considered a violation of travel policies by major airlines. It involves booking a ticket with a layover as the final destination, thereby bypassing the final leg of the flight. While skiplagging can be a cost-saving strategy, airlines explicitly prohibit such practices.
American Airlines, like several other major carriers, strictly forbids purchasing a ticket without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares.
Family’s Use of Skiplagged:
Intended Cost Savings
The teen’s father confirmed that their family has been using a website called Skip Lagged for several years to find hidden-city ticketing trips and save money on flights. However, he emphasized that if his son had succeeded, it would have been their first instance of actually skipping the final leg of a flight.
The revoked ticket cost $150, and the family had to purchase a $400 direct flight to ensure the teen’s travel to Charlotte, North Carolina.
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American Airlines’ Response:
Addressing the Situation
American Airlines stated that the customer was questioned only at the ticket counter regarding their travel plans during the check-in process. The airline reiterated its policy of prohibiting the purchase of tickets without the intention of flying all flights to obtain lower fares.
A spokesperson from American Airlines also mentioned that their Customer Relations team had been in contact with the family to address their concerns.
Conclusion:
The case of the North Carolina teen being banned from American Airlines for attempting to skiplag highlights the ongoing debate surrounding hidden-city ticketing practices. While travelers may seek to save money through such methods, it remains important to adhere to airline policies and regulations.
Airlines like American Airlines strictly enforce their policies against skiplagging to maintain fare integrity and ensure consistent service to all passengers.
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