Last edit by: hillrider
Here are some more hidden features of the ITA software.
The extensions to the itasoftware routing language are accessed by postpending commands after a '/'. There's a wide set of commands available, but there's no description of them available on the ITA web site. Unfortunately, each command applies only to one part of the trip, so they must usually be entered in each box.
EXCLUDE SPECIFIC AIRLINES
Command is "-airlines XX ..."
Ex: prohibit jetBlue or Delta
from: BOS ::/ -airlines B6 DL
to: LAX ::/ -airlines B6 DL
LIMIT TO SPECIFIC AIRLINES
Command is "airlines XX ..."
Ex: consider only jetBlue or Delta
from: BOS ::/ airlines B6 DL
to: LAX ::/ airlines B6 DL
LIMIT TO A SINGLE ALLIANCE
Command is "alliance star-alliance|oneworld|skyteam"
Ex: oneworld carriers only
from: BOS ::/ alliance oneworld
to: LAX ::/ alliance oneworld
EXCLUDE CODESHARES
Command is "-codeshare"
Ex: prohibit jetBlue or Delta
from: BOS ::/ -codeshare
to: LAX ::/ -codeshare
LIMIT DURATION OF ITINERARY, IN MINUTES
Command is "maxdur XXX"
Ex: no more than 5hrs for each part of trip
from: BOS ::/ maxdur 300
to: LAX ::/ maxdur 300
EXCLUDE OVERNIGHT STOPS, AIRPORT CHANGES, REDEYES, PROPELLER PLANES, TRAINS, HELICOPTERS, ANY KIND OF SURFACE TRAVEL
Commands are "-overnight", "-change", "-redeye", "-prop", "-train", "-helicopter", "-surface"
Ex: no overnight stops, no airport changes, no redeyes, no propeller planes
from: BOS ::/ -overnight, -change, -redeye, -prop
to: LAX ::/ -overnight, -change, -redeye, -prop
SET MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM TIME FOR CONNECTIONS, IN MINUTES
Commands are "minconnect XX", "maxconnect XX"
Ex: no less than one hour, no more than two hour connections
from: BOS ::/ minconnect 60, maxconnect 120
to: LAX ::/ minconnect 60, maxconnect 120
EXTRA CONNECTION TIME
Command is "padconnect XX"
Ex: require at least 20 minutes more than airline specified minimum connection time
from: BOS ::/ padconnect 20
to: LAX ::/ padconnect 20
PUTTING LOTS OF THINGS TOGETHER
Separate with commas.
Ex:
from: BOS :: UA UA / f bc=l|bc=y, -redeye, -prop
to: LAX :: UA+ / f ua.bos+lax.yup, padconnect 20, -overnight
The extensions to the itasoftware routing language are accessed by postpending commands after a '/'. There's a wide set of commands available, but there's no description of them available on the ITA web site. Unfortunately, each command applies only to one part of the trip, so they must usually be entered in each box.
EXCLUDE SPECIFIC AIRLINES
Command is "-airlines XX ..."
Ex: prohibit jetBlue or Delta
from: BOS ::/ -airlines B6 DL
to: LAX ::/ -airlines B6 DL
LIMIT TO SPECIFIC AIRLINES
Command is "airlines XX ..."
Ex: consider only jetBlue or Delta
from: BOS ::/ airlines B6 DL
to: LAX ::/ airlines B6 DL
LIMIT TO A SINGLE ALLIANCE
Command is "alliance star-alliance|oneworld|skyteam"
Ex: oneworld carriers only
from: BOS ::/ alliance oneworld
to: LAX ::/ alliance oneworld
EXCLUDE CODESHARES
Command is "-codeshare"
Ex: prohibit jetBlue or Delta
from: BOS ::/ -codeshare
to: LAX ::/ -codeshare
LIMIT DURATION OF ITINERARY, IN MINUTES
Command is "maxdur XXX"
Ex: no more than 5hrs for each part of trip
from: BOS ::/ maxdur 300
to: LAX ::/ maxdur 300
EXCLUDE OVERNIGHT STOPS, AIRPORT CHANGES, REDEYES, PROPELLER PLANES, TRAINS, HELICOPTERS, ANY KIND OF SURFACE TRAVEL
Commands are "-overnight", "-change", "-redeye", "-prop", "-train", "-helicopter", "-surface"
Ex: no overnight stops, no airport changes, no redeyes, no propeller planes
from: BOS ::/ -overnight, -change, -redeye, -prop
to: LAX ::/ -overnight, -change, -redeye, -prop
SET MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM TIME FOR CONNECTIONS, IN MINUTES
Commands are "minconnect XX", "maxconnect XX"
Ex: no less than one hour, no more than two hour connections
from: BOS ::/ minconnect 60, maxconnect 120
to: LAX ::/ minconnect 60, maxconnect 120
EXTRA CONNECTION TIME
Command is "padconnect XX"
Ex: require at least 20 minutes more than airline specified minimum connection time
from: BOS ::/ padconnect 20
to: LAX ::/ padconnect 20
PUTTING LOTS OF THINGS TOGETHER
Separate with commas.
Ex:
from: BOS :: UA UA / f bc=l|bc=y, -redeye, -prop
to: LAX :: UA+ / f ua.bos+lax.yup, padconnect 20, -overnight
TIP: More hidden features of ITA
#541
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,378
Agreed. I am however having an issue with positioning for CAI. It's not the easiest in relation to times of positioning flights versus the flight needed to book so I may have to go back to the drawing board....
#542
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW London
Programs: BAEC Silver; Hilton Diamond;a miscellany of other hotel non-statuses
Posts: 3,406
As Globaliser says, it shouldn't and probably won't make a difference but once you have a full set of cities you can try putting SYD in as the destination for a simple return and use the advanced routing codes box to indicate the route you want for the return, starting with WEL.
In the example you give, HKG in the outbound route, WEL SYD HKG in the inbound.
In the example you give, HKG in the outbound route, WEL SYD HKG in the inbound.
Last edited by EsherFlyer; Mar 21, 18 at 8:39 am
#543
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW London
Programs: BAEC Silver; Hilton Diamond;a miscellany of other hotel non-statuses
Posts: 3,406
It was in response to a suggestion of a cheap J fare to Oz during December which involved a positioning flight to begin in CAI and then ending in WLG, via SYD where a long stopover was allowed. So the ticket really needed to end in WLG to enable the cheaper fare. If I used the multi city and made the second flight SYD-WLG, the price shot up, whereas if the assumption was a flight where the SYD stopover was the MCT, the price was extremely good.
Or were you looking for something else?
Last edited by EsherFlyer; Mar 21, 18 at 8:39 am
#544
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,378
If this is CAI-DXB-SYD//SYD-WEL-SYD-DXB-CAI then I'm getting the Ł1500 or so price using [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] in the multi-city search.
Or were you looking for something else?
Or were you looking for something else?
#545
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 870
Suppressing code shares from results
Hello, is there an easy way of suppressing code shares from flight results? For example, on a multicity itinerary, I would like to see display of only UA flights and suppressing AC metal listed as UA codeshares. Thanks
#546
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: AA (current EXP, occasional PLT, 0MM); UA; DL
Posts: 6,163
Write UA+ in the routing box and Nocodeshares in the extensions box.
#548
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW London
Programs: BAEC Silver; Hilton Diamond;a miscellany of other hotel non-statuses
Posts: 3,406
"O:UA" in the routing spec gives a similar effect, ensuring you are on UA metal although it could be marketed by some other airline at a better price. Useful if you are aiming for a service experience rather than FFP benefits of marketing airline.
You might also be able to use something like ~UA8000-UA9000 to exclude a block of flights for a specific partner. Not sure I've ever tried that though...
You might also be able to use something like ~UA8000-UA9000 to exclude a block of flights for a specific partner. Not sure I've ever tried that though...
Last edited by EsherFlyer; Mar 30, 18 at 12:55 am
#549
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
Good Day, I am relatively new to ITA Matrix but I am feeling very comfortable as I have been playing around with it for days and reading your posts. I have found several flights but I am unable to to book them. It looks like this does happen at times based on prior posts but now I am stuck on how to change my search to find a 'real' flight. Neither Priceline,Delta or BookwithMatrix can find this. What do I next? 
Itinerary details
Boston (BOS) to Rome (FCO) — Tue, Aug 14
Alitalia 615
Dep: 9:50 pm Arr: 11:50 am
8h 0m Airbus A330
Business (I)
Wed, Aug 15
Venice (VCE) to Boston (BOS) — Sun, Sep 2
Air France 1127
Dep: 10:00 am Arr: 11:50 am
1h 50m Airbus A318
Economy (Y)
Layover in CDG
22h 30m
Paris (CDG) to Boston (BOS) — Mon, Sep 3
Delta 119
Dep: 10:20 am Arr: 12:20 pm
8h 0m Boeing 767
Premium economy (W)
Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) $2,007.81
Total cost for 3 passengers $6,023.43
How to buy this ticket
Tickets cannot be purchased directly from ITA Software.
Provide this information to a travel agent to help them match the fares found.
Make sure to provide the exact booking and fare codes shown.Fare for 2 adults, 1 youthFare 1: Carrier AZ IH1XU6D2 BOS to ROM (rules)Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code ICovers BOS-FCO (Business)$873.00Fare 2: Carrier DL XKGX26C3 VCE to BOS (rules)Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code Y, WCovers VCE-CDG (Economy), CDG-BOS (Premium economy)$357.00AZ YR surcharge (YR)$628.00US International Departure Tax (US)$36.60US September 11th Security Fee (AY)$5.60US Passenger Facility Charge (XF)$4.50France Passenger Service Charge International (QX)$34.80France Airport Tax Domestic And International (FR)$9.50United States Immigration User Fee (XY)$7.00United States Customs User Fee (YC)$5.65United States APHIS Passenger Fee Passengers (XA)$3.96Italy Security Bag Charge (EX)$1.50Italy Passenger Service Charge Departure (MJ)$1.00Italy Council City Tax (HB)$7.90Italy Security Charge (VT)$5.30Italy Embarkation Tax (IT)$13.50AF YQ surcharge (YQ)$13.00Subtotal per passenger$2,007.81Number of passengersx3Subtotal For 2 adults, 1 youth$6,023.43
BOS AZ ROM M 873.00IH1XU6D2 /-VCE AF X/E/PAR DL BOS M 357.00XKGX26C3 NUC 1230.00 END ROE 1.00 XT 5.65YC 7.00XY 3.96XA 36.60US 5.60AY 1.50EX 7.90HB 13.50IT 1.00MJ 5.30VT 9.50FR 34.80QX 13.00YQ 628.00YR 4.50XF BOS4.50Total Airfare & Taxes$6,023.43
[QUOTE]

Itinerary details
Boston (BOS) to Rome (FCO) — Tue, Aug 14
Alitalia 615
Dep: 9:50 pm Arr: 11:50 am
8h 0m Airbus A330
Business (I)
Wed, Aug 15
Venice (VCE) to Boston (BOS) — Sun, Sep 2
Air France 1127
Dep: 10:00 am Arr: 11:50 am
1h 50m Airbus A318
Economy (Y)
Layover in CDG
22h 30m
Paris (CDG) to Boston (BOS) — Mon, Sep 3
Delta 119
Dep: 10:20 am Arr: 12:20 pm
8h 0m Boeing 767
Premium economy (W)
Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) $2,007.81
Total cost for 3 passengers $6,023.43
How to buy this ticket
Tickets cannot be purchased directly from ITA Software.
Provide this information to a travel agent to help them match the fares found.
Make sure to provide the exact booking and fare codes shown.Fare for 2 adults, 1 youthFare 1: Carrier AZ IH1XU6D2 BOS to ROM (rules)Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code ICovers BOS-FCO (Business)$873.00Fare 2: Carrier DL XKGX26C3 VCE to BOS (rules)Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code Y, WCovers VCE-CDG (Economy), CDG-BOS (Premium economy)$357.00AZ YR surcharge (YR)$628.00US International Departure Tax (US)$36.60US September 11th Security Fee (AY)$5.60US Passenger Facility Charge (XF)$4.50France Passenger Service Charge International (QX)$34.80France Airport Tax Domestic And International (FR)$9.50United States Immigration User Fee (XY)$7.00United States Customs User Fee (YC)$5.65United States APHIS Passenger Fee Passengers (XA)$3.96Italy Security Bag Charge (EX)$1.50Italy Passenger Service Charge Departure (MJ)$1.00Italy Council City Tax (HB)$7.90Italy Security Charge (VT)$5.30Italy Embarkation Tax (IT)$13.50AF YQ surcharge (YQ)$13.00Subtotal per passenger$2,007.81Number of passengersx3Subtotal For 2 adults, 1 youth$6,023.43
- This ticket is non-refundable.
- Changes to this ticket will incur a penalty fee.
BOS AZ ROM M 873.00IH1XU6D2 /-VCE AF X/E/PAR DL BOS M 357.00XKGX26C3 NUC 1230.00 END ROE 1.00 XT 5.65YC 7.00XY 3.96XA 36.60US 5.60AY 1.50EX 7.90HB 13.50IT 1.00MJ 5.30VT 9.50FR 34.80QX 13.00YQ 628.00YR 4.50XF BOS4.50Total Airfare & Taxes$6,023.43
- Email this itinerary
- Print this page
[QUOTE]
#551
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: AA (current EXP, occasional PLT, 0MM); UA; DL
Posts: 6,163
Mixing different cabins is tricky in online bookings, and you have each flight in a different cabin. You can try AZ, AF, Expedia, etc. Otherwise some brick+mortar TA for some extra charge (bring the ITA printout to tthem).
#553
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,176
Good Day, I am relatively new to ITA Matrix but I am feeling very comfortable as I have been playing around with it for days and reading your posts. I have found several flights but I am unable to to book them. It looks like this does happen at times based on prior posts but now I am stuck on how to change my search to find a 'real' flight. Neither Priceline,Delta or BookwithMatrix can find this. What do I next? 

#554
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,006
Good Day, I am relatively new to ITA Matrix but I am feeling very comfortable as I have been playing around with it for days and reading your posts. I have found several flights but I am unable to to book them. It looks like this does happen at times based on prior posts but now I am stuck on how to change my search to find a 'real' flight. Neither Priceline,Delta or BookwithMatrix can find this. What do I next? 

I have had bad experiences booking multi fare itineraries directly with AZ so suggest it not be chosen as the ticketing agent.
#555
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ
Posts: 4,294