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American Airlines has taken legal action against Skiplagged, a travel website that has gained notoriety for its unconventional approach to finding cheaper flights using a practice known as “hidden-city” ticketing.
The lawsuit was officially filed in a federal court located in Texas. At the heart of the lawsuit lies the accusation that Skiplagged is involved in activities that are both unauthorized and deceptive in nature.
The central claim made by American Airlines is that Skiplagged entices travelers with the promise of cost savings that they often fail to deliver.
By exploiting the concept of hidden-city ticketing, where passengers book a flight with a connecting stop that is their actual intended destination, the website is alleged to be employing tactics that violate airline industry norms and regulations. This practice, while not inherently illegal, raises concerns due to its potential to disrupt airline revenue and seating arrangements.
American Airlines contends that Skiplagged’s offerings actually result in customers paying more than they would if they booked their flights through official channels. The lawsuit carries a serious threat: the possibility that American Airlines might invalidate all tickets purchased through Skiplagged, thereby disrupting travel plans for those who have utilized the service.
In addition to seeking to invalidate these tickets, American Airlines is also pursuing legal remedies. This includes demanding damages, a detailed account of the sales made by Skiplagged involving American Airlines flights, and a court order for a permanent injunction against Skiplagged’s alleged deceptive practices.
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Cost-Saving Method: Leaving Flights at Layovers in ‘Skiplagging
The concept of “skiplagging” itself involves purchasing a ticket with a final destination that includes a layover at the desired city. Travelers then leave the flight at the layover instead of taking the entire journey.
While this technique may result in cost savings, it comes with potential complications. Luggage that has been checked in might continue to the original final destination, leading to inconveniences for passengers. Additionally, subsequent flights on the same booking might be canceled if a leg of the journey is skipped.
This lawsuit is not the first legal action Skiplagged has encountered. United Airlines and travel agency Orbitz previously filed lawsuits against the company in 2014, accusing it of interfering with their operations and promoting “prohibited forms of travel.” While Skiplagged founder Aktarer Zaman settled with Orbitz, the lawsuit filed by United Airlines was dismissed by a Chicago judge in 2015.
In essence, the lawsuit by American Airlines against Skiplagged highlights the ongoing tension between innovative approaches to flight booking and established airline industry practices, particularly when those practices are perceived to undermine the airlines’ revenue and operations.
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Source: The Guardian
