Jun 29, 2017, 2:01 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
'Direct' flights are not the same as non-stop flights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_flight
"A direct flight in the aviation industry is any flight between two points by an airline with no change in flight numbers, which may include a stop over at an intermediate point."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_flight
"A direct flight in the aviation industry is any flight between two points by an airline with no change in flight numbers, which may include a stop over at an intermediate point."
Direct flight -- a flight booked as a flight between two airports BUT will involve a scheduled connection (landing/departure) at another airport. The same plane may or may not be used for each segment of the flight. {On UA, generally does not involve the same aircraft and may use a different type of airplane}
Why done
- So that the direct flight shows as a competitive option vs non-stops in third party online booking sites.
- Conservation of flight numbers, due to shortage of 4-digit flight numbers, this allows for more flights without using more flight numbers
With the change from credit being based on fare and not flight miles, there is no difference in earning method from direct flight vs non-stop
On PQFs, each segment counts as 1 PQF -- this is a change from how PQS was done
There can be seat assignment issues on direct flights especially if aircraft type is different.
Upgrades will not clear on direct flights in advance unless upgrade space is available on both flights. Gate upgrades will process based on the individual flights.
Related thread
Direct Flight Seat Selection Bug?
Selecting Seats/Upgrade Issues on Second Leg of "Direct" Flight Itinerary
Solution for seat assignment missing on direct flight
Upgrade Individual Flights on direct flight
Direct flights -- Why? What about Mileage Credit?
Nov 8, 2014, 8:08 pm
#77
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IIRC, this is not correct - PMUA did the full mileage between each of the points, even on the same flight number. Unless that changed close to the merger, but at least was the way for most of the time. I am pretty sure that this was one of the policy differences between Pre-merger CO and UA, and that particular one happened to go to the way CO did it. Given the computer systems crediting mileage are the CO ones, could easily be a decision based on it was the one which requires no action.
Nov 8, 2014, 8:21 pm
#78
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Nov 8, 2014, 8:26 pm
#79
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IIRC, this is not correct - PMUA did the full mileage between each of the points, even on the same flight number. Unless that changed close to the merger, but at least was the way for most of the time. I am pretty sure that this was one of the policy differences between Pre-merger CO and UA, and that particular one happened to go to the way CO did it. Given the computer systems crediting mileage are the CO ones, could easily be a decision based on it was the one which requires no action.
See thread from Old UA forum about just this subject.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...er-merged.html
Last edited by Baze; Nov 8, 2014 at 8:33 pm Reason: Added link from old UA forum about this
Nov 8, 2014, 10:53 pm
#80
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Segment method used 2010-2012 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...l-mileage.html
Feb 24, 2015, 9:53 am
#81
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DSM-MIA direct... Huh?
This summer (June-Aug) I see UA is doing a daily direct DSM-MIA... I can't find any info online about this new routing. What's going on? Is UA making MIA a focus city or something?
Feb 24, 2015, 10:14 am
#85
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Feb 24, 2015, 10:15 am
#86
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Usually. I can only think of three times in the past decade or so I didn't have to: two United Express "direct" flights with stops at SHD and BLF, and one LAX-(ORD)-DCA flight where we used the same plane, same gate, etc., and they let pax who were going onward stay onboard if they wanted.
"Direct" flights often involve a change in gauge/plane, and even when on the same type of plane, a change of gate. And you can of course misconnect when your same-flight-numbered flight gets in later than the connection when it's operated by a different plane as is often the case...
"Direct" flights often involve a change in gauge/plane, and even when on the same type of plane, a change of gate. And you can of course misconnect when your same-flight-numbered flight gets in later than the connection when it's operated by a different plane as is often the case...
Feb 24, 2015, 10:47 am
#87
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And i highly recommend avoiding them. You only get mileage from AAA-CCC instead of AAA-BBB and BBB-CCC. Soon to be irrelevant for RDMs but a factor on PQMs.
Feb 24, 2015, 12:39 pm
#88
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Not only that, but I find a lot of these "direct" flights have connections that are way too tight for comfort (often close to MCT at ORD). The fact that it's "direct" doesn't mean anything in IrrOps either…they're not holding the next plane if the first one is late.
Feb 24, 2015, 2:03 pm
#89
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Of note, these "direct" flights often involve change of aircraft and crew.
Thanks to FT for teaching me this work-around.
Feb 24, 2015, 2:05 pm
#90
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Book as multicity routing. I recently did this and price was the same, got credit for 2 segments instead of 1 (segment flyer) and, best of all, cleared upgrade on both segments. Before I tried the muticity booking my "direct" 2 flight upgrades never cleared.
Of note, these "direct" flights often involve change of aircraft and crew.
Thanks to FT for teaching me this work-around.
Of note, these "direct" flights often involve change of aircraft and crew.
Thanks to FT for teaching me this work-around.