I was looking to make a regular open jaw booking, xxx-ATH-yyy. The route does not have connections to make this on the same day, so first connecting results is a layover in ATH of around 12-16 hours. It can't be booked via the one-way search on aegean.com but is easily found when doing a multi-city booking (it is also shown on google-flights and others). It prices out as a oneway-ticket (according to matrix) and for a some dates I found 'S' availability on both segments, which really lowers the price.
When going forward in the booking, it fails at the seat selection step, saying "your selected flights could not be found" and it sends me straight back to a new search.
If I try on other dates with 'S', booking fails the same way. If I try on dates where only 'K' is available the booking succeeds.
Now the final twist. If I turn the OJ backwards, ie yyy-ATH-xxx, and try the same dates as first there is 'S' on both legs and the booking succeeds.
The distance between the jaws are much shorter than the flown distance. There are two differences I can see between the failed and the succeding booking;
• xxx-ATH-yyy has a 16:45 layover and the yyy-ATH-xxx has a shorter layover of 13:40
• yyy-ATH is 15% longer than xxx-ATH
But this does not explain why a 'K' ticket can be booked on the same xxx-ATH-yyy where 'S' fails. I cannot find anything obvious that explains this, only far fetched ideas like S and K has different fare rules and in S somehow the slightly shorter segment is not allowed as first leg due to sidetrip rules?!
Anyone that has an idea why this happens?
The fare rules according to matrix:
Fare rules & restrictions
Aegean (A3) SNFLXLC
General notes
3RD LEVEL ECONOMY RESTRICTED FARES S
FOR ONE WAY FARES
Category 4: Flight restrictions
THE FARE COMPONENT MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY A3 FLIGHT OPERATED BY A3
ANY A3 FLIGHT OPERATED BY OA
BUT NOT ON NONSTOP/DIRECT FLIGHTS.
Category 5: Advanced reservation/ticketing restrictions
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS.
WAITLIST NOT PERMITTED.
NOTE -
DUE TO AUTOMATED TICKETING DEADLINE CONTROL
DIFFERENCE COULD EXIST BETWEEN THE FARE RULE
LAST TICKETING DATE AND THE SYSTEM GENERATED
TICKETING DEADLINE MESSAGE
THE MORE RESTRICTIVE TICKETING DEADLINE APPLIES.
---
FOR ALL ECONOMY FARES
RBD FOR GREEK DOMESTIC SECTOR SHOULD BE THE SAME
AS ON INTERNATIONAL SECTOR
---
Category 8: Stopover restrictions
2 STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT - 1 IN EACH
DIRECTION IN GREECE AT EUR 50.00 EACH.
Category 9: Transfer restrictions
4 TRANSFERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT - 2 IN EACH
DIRECTION
FARE BREAK AND EMBEDDED SURFACE SECTORS NOT PERMITTED ON
THE FARE COMPONENT.
Category 10: Combinability
CIRCLE TRIPS NOT PERMITTED.
END-ON-END NOT PERMITTED. SIDE TRIPS NOT PERMITTED
APPLICABLE ADD-ON CONSTRUCTION IS ADDRESSED IN
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - CATEGORY 23.
OPEN JAWS
FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS
-TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS.
MILEAGE OF THE OPEN SEGMENT MUST BE EQUAL/LESS THAN
MILEAGE OF THE LONGEST FLOWN FARE COMPONENT.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY FARE OF THE SAME FARE TYPE
FOR CARRIER A3/OA IN ANY RULE AND TARIFF.
ROUND TRIPS
FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS
-TO FORM ROUND TRIPS.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE NOT WITH ANY FARE FOR CARRIER A3/OA IN
ANY RULE IN TARIFF
IPREURD - WITHIN EUROPE-DOMESTIC.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED ABOVE COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY FARE
FOR CARRIER A3/OA IN ANY RULE AND TARIFF.
Category 15: Sales restrictions
TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON A3 OR OA.
NOTE -
FULL AND SEQUENTIAL USE OF FLIGHT COUPONS -
THIS FARE IS ONLY VALID WHEN FLIGHT COUPONS ARE
USED IN THE SAME ORDER AS SHOWN ON THE TICKET.
Category 15: Sales restrictions
TICKETS MAY NOT BE SOLD IN EGYPT/IRAN,ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF.
TICKETS MAY ONLY BE SOLD IN AREA 1/AREA 2/AREA 3.
SALE IS RESTRICTED TO SPECIFIC AGENTS.
OR - TICKETS MAY NOT BE SOLD IN EGYPT/IRAN,ISLAMIC
REPUBLIC OF.
TICKETS MAY ONLY BE SOLD IN AREA 1/AREA 2/AREA 3.
Category 16: Penalties
CANCELLATIONS
ANY TIME
CHARGE EUR 60.00.
WAIVED FOR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER.
NOTE -
DEATH CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.
---
CHARGE APPLIES PER FARE COMPONENT PER ADULT/CHILD.
CHILD DISCOUNT DOES NOT APPLY.
---
FOR PARTIALLY USED FARE COMPONENET THE UNUSED
SECTOR IS NON REFUNDABLE
---
AFTER DEPARTURE VOID IS NOT PERMITTED WHEN FLIGHT
SEGMENTS REMAINED ACTIVE IN PNR
---
FULL REFUND PERMITTED BEFORE
DEPARTURE
IN CASE OF REJECTION OF VISA.
COMPETENT AUTHORITY STANDARD FORM FOR NOTIFYING A
AND MOTIVATING REFUSAL
AND COPY OF PASSPORT FIRST PAGE REQUIRED
CHANGES
BEFORE DEPARTURE
CHANGES PERMITTED.
NOTE -
BEFORE DEPARTURE REBOOKING IS FREE OF CHARGE
THE NEW TICKETS FARE AMOUNT MUST BE EQUAL TO OR
HIGHER THAN THE ORIGINAL TICKETS FARE AMOUNT.
---
IN CASE OF UPGRADE THE FARE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
BOTH FARES SHOULD BE COLLECTED
---
IN CASE OF UPGRADE/REISSUE THE NON-REFUNDABLE
AMOUNT REMAINS NON-REFUNDABLE.
---
REBOOKING/REISSUE/UPGRADING MUST BE
MADE IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHANGE OF RESERVATION.
VOID TICKET IS NOT PERMITTED FOR GDS SALES.
AFTER DEPARTURE
CHARGE EUR 80.00.
NOTE -
THE NEW TICKETS FARE AMOUNT MUST BE EQUAL TO OR
HIGHER THAN THE ORIGINAL TICKETS FARE AMOUNT.
COLLECT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOTH FARES PLUS
THE REBOOKING FEE
---
IN CASE OF UPGRADE THE FARE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
BOTH FARES SHOULD BE COLLECTED
---
IN CASE OF UPGRADE/REISSUE THE NON-REFUNDABLE
AMOUNT REMAINS NON-REFUNDABLE.
---
CHARGE APPLIES PER FARE COMPONENT PER ADULT/CHILD.
CHILD DISCOUNT DOES NOT APPLY.
INFANT FREE OF CHARGE.
---
REBOOKING/REISSUE/UPGRADING MUST BE
MADE IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHANGE OF RESERVATION.
VOID TICKET IS NOT PERMITTED FOR GDS SALES.
Category 16: Penalties
NOTE -
1.
A/NEW REBOOKING POLICY FOR LIGHT/SAVER/BUSINESS
BASIC.
DIFFERENT REBOOKING FEES WILL APPLY DEPENDING ON
THE DAY OF THE CHANGE REQUEST VERSUS THE ORIGINAL
DEPARTURE DATE AS FOLLOWS.
AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF 10.00 EUR ON THE CURRENT
REBOOKING FEE AMOUNTS WILL APPLY WHEN THE REQUEST
IS MADE WITHIN 7DAYS/168HOURS PRIOR THE ORIGINAL
TRAVEL DATE.
FOR INDIA - LIGHT/COMFORT/BUSINESS BASIC.
DIFFERENT REBOOKING FEES WILL APPLY DEPENDING ON
THE DAY OF THE CHANGE REQUEST VERSUS THE ORIGINAL
DEPARTURE DATE AS FOLLOWS.
AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF 40.00/60.00 EUR ON THE
CURRENT REBOOKING FEE AMOUNTS WILL APPLY WHEN
THE REQUEST IS MADE WITHIN 7DAYS/168HOURS PRIOR
THE ORIGINAL TRAVEL DATE.
B/CHANGES/REISSUE PROCEDURE APPLIES AS FOLLOWS
-LIGHT CHANGE WITH LIGHT
-FLEX CHANGE WITH
FLEX/FAMILY/COMFORTFLEX/COMFORT/COMFORTPLUS/BUSINE
SS
-FAMILY CHANGE WITH FAMILY/FLEX/COMFORTFLEX/
COMFORT/COMFORTPLUS/BUSINESS
-FOR INDIA - FAMILY CHANGE WITH
FAMILY /COMFORT/COMFORTFLEX/COMFORTPLUS/BUSINESS
-SAVER CHANGE WITH
SAVER/COMFORTFLEX/COMFORTPLUS/BUSINESS
-COMFORTFLEX CHANGE WITH
SAVER/COMFORTFLEX/COMFORTPLUS/BUSINESS
-COMFORT CHANGE WITH COMFORT/COMFORTPLUS/
FAMILY/FLEX/COMFORTFLEX/BUSINESS
-COMFORTPLUS CHANGE WITH
COMFORTPLUS/SAVER/COMFORTFLEX/BUSINESS
-BUSINESS BASIC CHANGE WITH BUSINESS BASIC
-BUSINESS CHANGE WITH BUSINESS
--DOWNGRADE IS NOT ALLOWED FROM BUSINESS CABIN TO
ECONOMY
2.REROUTING WITH CHANGE IN COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
PERMITTED BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
REROUTING FROM DOMESTIC TO INTERNATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL TO DOMESTIC IS NOT PERMITTED
3.FOR P-U-T-S- TYPE FARES VOID TICKET IS NOT
PERMITTED FOR GDS SALES
4. FOR NON REFUNDABLE FARES NO REFUND IS PERMITTED
WAIVED FOR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER
NOTE-DEATH CERTIFICATE REQUIRED
CANCELLATION BOOKINGS ARE NOT REQUIRED.
5. A. IN CASE THE PASSENGER IS REJECTED FOR
TRAVEL DUE TO INCOMPLETE/FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
REFUND IS NOT ALLOWED / CHANGES ARE NOT PERMITTED
B.IN CASE THE PASSENGER IS REJECTED FOR TRAVEL
DUE TO INCOMPLETE/FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS VOID
TICKET IS NOT PERMITTED
6.AFTER DEPARTURE VOID TICKET IS NOT PERMITTED
WHEN FLIGHT SEGMENTS REMAINED ACTIVE IN PNR
7.FOR NON REFUNDABLE FARES YQ/YR WILL NOT BE
REFUNDED.
8.CHILD AND INFANT INFORMATION -DATE OF
BIRTH AND INDICATOR CHD OR INF -SHOULD BE ALWAYS
ADDED IN PNR WITH AN SSR CHLD/INFANT
9.FOR REISSUE AND REFUND CASES WITHIN THR WHEN
ORIGINAL
TICKET HAS ORIGIN OR DESTINATION THR THE RULES
FOR CHANGES APPLY PER TICKET AND NOT PER FARE
COMPONENT.
IN CASE OF FARE COMBINATION THE HIGHEST FEE OF
ALL CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS SHOULD APPLY
Category 17: HIP exceptions
THE HIGHER INTERMEDIATE POINT RULE DOES NOT APPLY FOR
CONNECTIONS.
NOTE -
ANY MILEAGE/SURCHARGE AND EXCESS MILEAGE MUST BE
IGNORED.
---
DIFFERENTIAL DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS FARE AND
THIS FARE SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR DIFFERENTIAL
PROCESSING.
AND - THE HIGHER INTERMEDIATE POINT RULE DOES NOT APPLY
FOR STOPOVERS.
NOTE -
ANY MILEAGE/SURCHARGE AND EXCESS MILEAGE MUST BE
IGNORED.
---
DIFFERENTIAL DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS FARE AND
THIS FARE SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR DIFFERENTIAL
PROCESSING.
Category 18: Endorsements
THE ORIGINAL AND THE REISSUED TICKET MUST BE ANNOTATED -
VALID ON A3 FLIGHTS ONLY - IN THE ENDORSEMENT BOX.
Category 19: Discounts
ACCOMPANIED CHILD 2-11 - CHARGE 100 PERCENT OF THE FARE.
TICKET DESIGNATOR - CH AND PERCENT OF DISCOUNT
OR - UNACCOMPANIED CHILD 5-11 - CHARGE 100 PERCENT OF THE
FARE.
TICKET DESIGNATOR - CH AND PERCENT OF DISCOUNT
OR - INFANT 1-2 WITH A SEAT - CHARGE 100 PERCENT OF THE
FARE.
TICKET DESIGNATOR - IN AND PERCENT OF DISCOUNT
OR - 1ST INFANT UNDER 2 WITHOUT A SEAT - CHARGE 10 PERCENT
OF THE FARE.
TICKET DESIGNATOR - IN AND PERCENT OF DISCOUNT.
Category 23: Miscellaneous Fare Tags
THIS FARE MUST NOT BE USED AS THE HIGH OR THE LOW FARE
WHEN CALCULATING A DIFFERENTIAL. THIS FARE MUST NOT BE
USED AS THE THROUGH FARE WHEN PRICING A FARE COMPONENT
WITH A DIFFERENTIAL.
Category 31: Voluntary changes
IN THE EVENT OF CHANGES TO TICKETED FLIGHTS
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF FARE COMPONENT - APPLIES WITHIN TKT
VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN BY
THOSE OF A3 INTERNATIONAL FARES
NO CHARGE FOR REISSUE OR SUM OF FEES OF ALL CHANGED
FARE COMPONENTS - DISCOUNTS APPLY - NO FEE FOR INFANTS
W/O SEAT AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT TODAY
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. CHANGE IS BEFORE ORIGINAL SCHEDULED FLIGHT
2. A3/OA FARE TYPE ERT/BR/ERS/ER/ES/ET ARE USED
3. NEW TKT HAS EQUAL OR HIGHER VALUE THAN PREVIOUS
TKT
4. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO DEPARTURE
OF JOURNEY
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX- HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
OR -
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF FARE COMPONENT - APPLIES WITHIN TKT
VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN BY
THOSE OF A3 INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE EUR 80.00 FOR REISSUE OR SUM OF FEES OF ALL
CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS - DISCOUNTS APPLY - NO FEE FOR
INFANTS W/O SEAT AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT TODAY
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. CHANGE IS AFTER ORIGINAL SCHEDULED FLIGHT
2. A3/OA FARE TYPE ERT/BR/ERS/ER/ES/ET ARE USED
3. NEW TKT HAS EQUAL OR HIGHER VALUE THAN PREVIOUS
TKT
4. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO DEPARTURE
OF JOURNEY
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX- HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
OR -
AFTER DEPARTURE OF FARE COMPONENT - APPLIES WITHIN TKT
VALIDITY
NO CHARGE FOR REISSUE OR SUM OF FEES OF ALL CHANGED
FARE COMPONENTS - DISCOUNTS APPLY - NO FEE FOR INFANTS
W/O SEAT AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
2. CHANGE IS BEFORE ORIGINAL SCHEDULED FLIGHT
3. A3/OA SAME FARE TYPE IS USED
4. NEW TKT HAS EQUAL OR HIGHER VALUE THAN PREVIOUS
TKT
5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX- HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
OR -
AFTER DEPARTURE OF FARE COMPONENT - APPLIES WITHIN TKT
VALIDITY
CHARGE EUR 80.00 FOR REISSUE OR SUM OF FEES OF ALL
CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS - DISCOUNTS APPLY - NO FEE FOR
INFANTS W/O SEAT AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
2. CHANGE IS AFTER ORIGINAL SCHEDULED FLIGHT
3. A3/OA SAME FARE TYPE IS USED
4. NEW TKT HAS EQUAL OR HIGHER VALUE THAN PREVIOUS
TKT
5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX- HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
OR -
ANYTIME
CHANGES EXCEPT RBD NOT PERMITTED TO THE JOURNEY -
CHARGE SUM OF FEES OF ALL CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS
ENDORSEMENT BOX- HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
Category 33: Voluntary cancellations
APPLIES FOR FARE COMPONENTS THAT ARE FULLY FLOWN. REFUND
MUST BE REQUESTED AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY.
NO CHARGE. IF ALL PENALTIES IN PRICING UNIT ARE PER FARE
COMPONENT COLLECT EACH. IF MIX OF PER FARE COMPONENT AND
PER PRICING UNIT CALCULATE EACH AS PER PRICING UNIT AND
COLLECT HIGHEST. NO CHARGE FOR INFANT WITHOUT SEAT.
FORM OF REFUND - ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT. ONLY VALIDATING
CARRIER MAY REFUND TICKET.
REPRICE FLOWN PORTION USING FARES IN EFFECT ON TICKET
ISSUANCE DATE. FOR FULLY FLOWN FARE COMPONENTS FARE BREAK
POINTS MAY NOT BE CHANGED. FOR PARTIALLY FLOWN FARE
COMPONENTS ONLY DESTINATION FARE BREAK POINTS MAY BE
CHANGED. REPRICE USING NORMAL/SPECIAL ONE WAY/ROUND TRIP
FARES/ANY RULE/FARE CLASS/SAME RBD. PUBLIC FARES ARE USED
IF TICKETED FARE IS IN PUBLIC TARIFF. QUALIFIED PRIVATE
FARES OR PUBLIC FARES ARE USED IF TICKETED FARE IS IN
PRIVATE TARIFF. NEW FARE FOR FULLY FLOWN FARE COMPONENTS
MUST BE EQUAL TO OR HIGHER THAN TICKETED FARE.
OR -
REFUND MUST BE REQUESTED BEFORE DEPARTURE OF FARE
COMPONENT. REFUND REQUEST REQUIRED BEFORE ORIGINALLY
SCHEDULED FLIGHT OF FIRST UNUSED TICKET COUPON.
CHARGE EUR 60.00 PER FARE COMPONENT. IF ALL PENALTIES IN
PRICING UNIT ARE PER FARE COMPONENT COLLECT EACH. IF MIX
OF PER FARE COMPONENT AND PER PRICING UNIT CALCULATE EACH
AS PER PRICING UNIT AND COLLECT HIGHEST. NO CHARGE FOR
INFANT WITHOUT SEAT.
REFUND REQUEST MUST BE LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER TICKET
ISSUANCE. FORM OF REFUND - ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT. ONLY
VALIDATING CARRIER MAY REFUND TICKET.
OR -
REFUND MUST BE REQUESTED BEFORE DEPARTURE OF FARE
COMPONENT. REFUND REQUEST REQUIRED ANYTIME AFTER
ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FLIGHT OF FIRST UNUSED TICKET
COUPON.
CHARGE EUR 60.00 PER FARE COMPONENT. IF ALL PENALTIES IN
PRICING UNIT ARE PER FARE COMPONENT COLLECT EACH. IF MIX
OF PER FARE COMPONENT AND PER PRICING UNIT CALCULATE EACH
AS PER PRICING UNIT AND COLLECT HIGHEST. NO CHARGE FOR
INFANT WITHOUT SEAT.
FORM OF REFUND - ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT. ONLY VALIDATING
CARRIER MAY REFUND TICKET.
OR -
APPLIES FOR FARE COMPONENTS THAT ARE PARTIALLY FLOWN. FARE
IS NONREFUNDABLE AFTER DEPARTURE OF FARE COMPONENT.
IF MIX OF PER FARE COMPONENT AND PER PRICING UNIT
CALCULATE EACH AS PER PRICING UNIT AND COLLECT HIGHEST.
REPRICE USING FARE FAMILY -FLX/SAME RBD.
Category 50: Application
OW/RT ECONOMY CLASS FARES WITHIN EUROPE
APPLICATION
CLASS OF SERVICE
THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE.
TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION
FARES GOVERNED BY THIS RULE CAN BE USED TO CREATE
ONE-WAY/ROUND-TRIP/OPEN-JAW JOURNEYS.
FARES ONLY APPLY IF PURCHASED BEFORE DEPARTURE.
-----------------------------------------------
FOR P-U-T-S- TYPE FARES VOID TICKET IS NOT
PERMITTED FOR GDS SALES
EXCEPT FOR S- TYPE FARE ON PSO ROUTE RHO-KZS
-----------------------------------------------