Open-Jaw Flight – Definition and Meaning
An open-jaw flight is a type of airline ticket where a traveler flies from one city to another but returns from a different city, or travels between two cities by land or other transport without a connecting flight.
In simple terms, the traveler “opens the jaw” of the trip by creating a gap between arrival and departure points.
Open-jaw flights are a smart option for travelers planning multi-city itineraries or overland adventures.
Types of Open-Jaw Flights
- Destination Open-Jaw:
Example: Fly from New York to Paris, return from Rome to New York. - Origin Open-Jaw:
Example: Fly from Chicago to London, return from London to Los Angeles. - Double Open-Jaw:
Example: Fly from Miami to Madrid, and return from Barcelona to San Francisco.
Travelers are responsible for moving between the two cities on their own — often by train, bus, or car rental.
Why Choose an Open-Jaw Flight?
- Itinerary Flexibility: Visit multiple destinations without backtracking.
- Time Savings: Spend more time exploring and less time traveling back to the starting city.
- Cost Efficiency: Can be cheaper than booking two one-way flights, especially on multi-city trips.
Open-jaw flights are popular for European tours, Southeast Asia backpacking, and cross-country USA trips.
Things to Consider
- Ground Transport: Plan and budget for travel between the two cities.
- Ticket Booking: Use the “multi-city” search option when booking.
- Baggage Policies: Confirm baggage allowances, especially if using different airlines.
FAQ
Use the “multi-city” booking feature on airline or travel booking websites, specifying different arrival and departure cities.
Not necessarily — open-jaw flights can often be cheaper than separate one-way tickets, especially when booked with the same airline alliance.