THEThe cost of a flight increases when you have no other choice, such as for a trip to Sicily and Sardinia: the prices of airline tickets are thus experiencing “unacceptable, 70%” peaks this summer. This was confirmed by the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, announcing measures. A little late, the consumer associations protest. But there are also those who, while waiting, gets by and does “skiplagging”. To the supreme displeasure and likely repercussions of the airlines.
Record plane tickets: a flight to Sardinia as an intercontinental
The reasons for the increases in recent days are anomalous given the price of fuel has plummeted. But the planes are full, crammed: demand is much higher than supply and this puts great pressure on fares. In addition, airlines have been claiming for days that the kerosene used today was purchased last year when the price had skyrocketed.
In fact, the president of the National Consumers Union, Massimiliano Dona recounts a borderline situation: flights lead the top ten in holiday price hikes occupying the first 3 places of the cyclical increases and the first two of the trend ones. In the month of June alone they grew by +17.8% compared to May and on a trend basis by +28.9% compared to June 2022.
Hidden baggage charges
An issue that also concerns i hidden price increases, effectively imposed on travellers, for hold luggage but also for hand luggage. A survey by Altroconsumo shows that, even in the case of so-called low-cost flights, the price can rise up to 545%, between trolley in the cabin, suitcase in the hold and choice of seat.
The algorithm-blocking standard to cap prices
The games are made, of course, given that most families have already booked their holidays: a speech on the subject still arrives out of time. But better late than never: the only way forward at the moment seems to be one algorithm-blocking rule. This is a legislative intervention that curbs the “auction” dynamics that lead the price to skyrocket.
What raises the price of a semi-full flight is that the last seats go to those who offer the most. It is a punfair commercial practice which may soon be blocked on all domestic flights.
Those who buy a plane ticket today to go to Sardinia in August must take into account an expense that can reach almost 1,000 euros for a round trip if you embark from Naples. The cost of an intercontinental flight.
Skiplagging, the “hidden city” technique to save on airline tickets
In the summer of record flights, and the problem isn’t just Italian, a technique is taking hold that must be described as audacious at the very least. That is to say the skipping: the “hidden city” technique, i.e the latest ploy of travelers to save money on the plane, is frequented above all by young people traveling light, with hand luggage only.
In summary, a flight is booked from city A, with a technical stopover in city B and final arrival in city C. But, once you arrive at B, you get off the plane, thus escaping the inflated price of the direct flight.
How much are the airlines speculating
Everyone can look for this type of fare on their own but there is also a site, Skiplaggedwhich helps find cheap airline tickets with the “Hidden City” fare. Those who use it believe that the “hidden city” system is completely legitimate, given that the ticket is regularly paid. But this is not welcomed by the airlines (lawsuits have been filed against the site in the past).
If they discover that a passenger intends to disembark during the intermediate stage, they can cancel the ticket. Or, if they realize the “trick” when it has already been successful, they can cancel the return ticket.
The practice does not break laws but violates airline policies, therefore carries an inherent risk. In short, those who try the tactic must be aware of the risks.
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