Random routing
Apr 25, 2021, 2:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northumberland, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 441
Random routing
I’ve just searched for a return flight NCL to LHR in June and aside from the direct ones, the BA app offered me one with 2 connections. Intrigued I clicked on it to find they were suggesting routing me via Southampton and Glasgow, leaving at 0645 arriving in London at 1645.
I suppose having not flown for so long, that day out might appeal to some FTers 😆
I suppose having not flown for so long, that day out might appeal to some FTers 😆
Apr 25, 2021, 2:32 am
#2
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Scotland & London
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Mucci des Salons Ouvrants
Posts: 3,020
Same for me - I was looking at a LHR-EDI itinerary and was offered LHR-GLA-DUB-EDI!! I declined 
aks120
aks120
Apr 25, 2021, 6:55 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It's just an algorithm which constructs all possible "legal" routings for a given fare and then offers them in the order selected by the passenger. The same as published fares between two completely obscure locations in the world where there may be no tickets sold in a given year.
Apr 25, 2021, 7:17 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,229
Apr 25, 2021, 7:21 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: British Airways GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond & Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,609
I’ve just searched for a return flight NCL to LHR in June and aside from the direct ones, the BA app offered me one with 2 connections. Intrigued I clicked on it to find they were suggesting routing me via Southampton and Glasgow, leaving at 0645 arriving in London at 1645.
I suppose having not flown for so long, that day out might appeal to some FTers 😆
I suppose having not flown for so long, that day out might appeal to some FTers 😆
Apr 25, 2021, 7:34 am
#8
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Scotland & London
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Mucci des Salons Ouvrants
Posts: 3,020
Apr 25, 2021, 7:38 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
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Posts: 17,899
Apr 25, 2021, 7:56 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,260
For more routing weirdness, check out sone of the American award ticket options. Why yes, there is saver award availability on that date for JFK to Miami if you are willing to connect through both Chicago and DFW in the process.
Apr 25, 2021, 10:03 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 494
LHR-HEL-MAN has shown up in the past as an alternative to a direct LHR-MAN, though, as in other examples quoted, rather more expensive.
I suppose the best trick would be to book a direct flight that was subsequently cancelled, and be offered the roundabout route as a no-cost alternative, with compensation for arrival more than three hours later than the original booking.
I suppose the best trick would be to book a direct flight that was subsequently cancelled, and be offered the roundabout route as a no-cost alternative, with compensation for arrival more than three hours later than the original booking.
Apr 25, 2021, 10:58 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,260
I’ve also had an OTA offer to send me from London to Munch by way of Tunisia and feel like they deserve bonus points for including an entirely different continent in the routing.
Apr 25, 2021, 1:15 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: North Sentinel Island
Programs: UA Gold, BONVOY TIT
Posts: 777
AA offers weird connections in non-hubs too. I needed some segments and flew ORD-DFW via MCI on way and STL on the other.
Apr 25, 2021, 5:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: AY Platinum, UA Premier Platinum, OneWorld Emerald, VA Platinum
Posts: 558
I tried to book QF MEL-LST (296 miles, 40 min flight) on points last week
and was offered a route MEL-BNE-SYD-LST (1891 miles) on QF,JQ codeshare
and was offered a route MEL-BNE-SYD-LST (1891 miles) on QF,JQ codeshare