Kate-AHF Posted August 10, 2018 #1 Share Posted August 10, 2018 I have the feeling I should know the answer to this question by this point in my travel life, but I don't. Why is it when i look to book flights on my own I can never find the direct flights to/from my destination? Let's say I want to go direct from LIS to IAD. When looking on United, Kayak or Google flights, there is nothing non-stop. When I view the departures from LIS online, I find a daily direct flight (UA 167). I also find flights direct to other US east coast airports, such as AA from LIS to ATL. Yet can't find that flight on the AA system. I'm not looking to book with points either. My TA is working to reschedule our flights for an upcoming Oceania cruise that we extended another leg. Iv'e told her we would pay the deviation (not happily, but willingly) if we can get some kind of direct flight to the US, vs, making a stop in MUC or FRA first. Why is it that Oceania has access to those flights, but if I book my own air, I don't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted August 10, 2018 #2 Share Posted August 10, 2018 They could be listed as code-shares with other airlines. Some AA flights from DFW are sold on BA even though AA supplies the plane and crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanandJim Posted August 10, 2018 #3 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Why is it that Oceania has access to those flights, but if I book my own air, I don't? The short answer is that Airlines choose to sell certain flights to their regular customers, i.e those who buy multiple flights every day, rather than offer them to everyone.This was much less apparent to the general public pre-internet, and although it may be frustrating, it isn't a complicated concept unless you fall into the trap of discussing the method which they use which is restricting fare codes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 10, 2018 #4 Share Posted August 10, 2018 I use this site to find flights then book direct with the airline https://matrix.itasoftware.com You flight you mentioned is listed on the UA site so not sure what you are doing wrong https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/flight-search/book-a-flight/results/rev?f=LIS&t=IAD&d=2018-08-10&tt=1&fm=2018-08-09&flxbl=1&co=1&sc=1&px=1&taxng=1&idx=1 Just tell Oceania what flights you want on the dates & see if there is any upcharge then you can decide if worth using O air It was worth it for me as we are doing a TA this trip one way flights to/from Toronto are OTT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted August 10, 2018 #5 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Use ITA Matrix web search engine to identify flights. Note that you can choose to display all flights - even sold out ones (which will not show on sites that sell tix). Airline websites (and, therefore, generic sites like Orbitz using that info) selectively control what is seen online - giving greater flight availability access to loyal FFs who sign in as such. Another option is to call the airline reservation number and ask for flight info that meets your needs. You will only be charged the booking fee if you have the telephone rep actually make reservations (though there is a way or two to get around that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare pinotlover Posted August 10, 2018 #6 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Check your settings for your flight search. If it is set for least expensive flight options the non stop might not appear. Flights that are sold out no longer appear likewise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate-AHF Posted August 10, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Not sure what I'm doing wrong either, because I don't see direct flights on United. Don't know if it's because I'm automatically signed in to my United acct, or because I'm using multi-city or what. Non-stop just isn't an option. Basically, I think that Stan and Jim answered my question. I don't buy air in bulk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 10, 2018 #8 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Not sure what I'm doing wrong either, because I don't see direct flights on United. Don't know if it's because I'm automatically signed in to my United acct, or because I'm using multi-city or what. Non-stop just isn't an option. Basically, I think that Stan and Jim answered my question. I don't buy air in bulk. well neither do I but I see the UA flight There are no non stops I can see to ATL from LIS try signing out of your UA account then check What date are you looking for ? Sometimes the flights may change frequency certain times of the year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare pinotlover Posted August 10, 2018 #9 Share Posted August 10, 2018 As a Lyn politely suggests, providing as many details as possible when requesting assistance helps significantly in the process. When are you wanting to fly, and from and to where exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted August 10, 2018 #10 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Not sure what I'm doing wrong either, because I don't see direct flights on United. Don't know if it's because I'm automatically signed in to my United acct, or because I'm using multi-city or what. Non-stop just isn't an option. Basically, I think that Stan and Jim answered my question. I don't buy air in bulk. Many direct flights fill quickly once the 330 day window opens. That's another reason they might not appear. The downside is that opening fares may sometimes be high. But, a nice thing about United is that they will provide (at your request) a "fare drop" ETC for future flight purchases within the next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoHoHo Posted August 10, 2018 #11 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Kate, you could also try the flyer board here on CC. They are very helpful. But as suggested below, you must give them all the info. As a Lyn politely suggests, providing as many details as possible when requesting assistance helps significantly in the process. When are you wanting to fly, and from and to where exactly. "Let's say I want to go direct from LIS to IAD. " well neither do I but I see the UA flight There are no non stops I can see to ATL from LIS try signing out of your UA account then check What date are you looking for ? Sometimes the flights may change frequency certain times of the year I too am puzzled LTH28,. I suspect you found it is a date issue that you got a hit. I tried UA, AA and matrix, kayak but got no non-stops LIS->IAD for when I think Kate-AHF is flying. I tried a return from LIS and back in 10 days (just to give the search some options), flexible dates and cabin . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted August 10, 2018 #12 Share Posted August 10, 2018 (edited) Kate, you could also try the flyer board here on CC. They are very helpful. But as suggested below, you must give them all the info. "Let's say I want to go direct from LIS to IAD. " I too am puzzled LTH28,. I suspect you found it is a date issue that you got a hit. I tried UA, AA and matrix, kayak but got no non-stops LIS->IAD for when I think Kate-AHF is flying. I tried a return from LIS and back in 10 days (just to give the search some options), flexible dates and cabin . United 167 (e.g., entire month of June 2019) LIS to IAD non-stop. Departs 12:15 pm local; arrives 3:30 pm Eastern. Economy and Business available but not inexpensive! Edited August 10, 2018 by Flatbush Flyer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoHoHo Posted August 10, 2018 #13 Share Posted August 10, 2018 United 167 (e.g., entire month of June 2019) LIS to IAD non-stop. Departs 12:15 pm local; arrives 3:30 pm Eastern. So that looks like it is a date (out of season) issue then. Try end of November for example Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted August 10, 2018 #14 Share Posted August 10, 2018 So that looks like it is a date (out of season) issue then. Try end of November for example YOU try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoHoHo Posted August 10, 2018 #15 Share Posted August 10, 2018 YOU try it. Mine was a suggestion, not a command. You seem angry... often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 10, 2018 #16 Share Posted August 10, 2018 looks like after Sept the Non stops dry up I tried to get to Portugal in the winter months ..very limited flights from here Dec to Mar Just saying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TERRIER1 Posted August 10, 2018 #17 Share Posted August 10, 2018 There are many flights that are only direct during the high season. This happened once when I went to book NYC to Venice. At the time when flights opened up there were no direct flights. Several months later the airline added a direct flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fam_Cruise Posted August 10, 2018 #18 Share Posted August 10, 2018 UA 167/168 are seasonal flights. Last IAD-LIS non-stop is October 26 and last LIS-IAD non-stop is October 27. I assume, but did not check, that they resume sometime in the spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallydave Posted August 10, 2018 #19 Share Posted August 10, 2018 The short answer is that Airlines choose to sell certain flights to their regular customers, i.e those who buy multiple flights every day, rather than offer them to everyone.This was much less apparent to the general public pre-internet, and although it may be frustrating, it isn't a complicated concept unless you fall into the trap of discussing the method which they use which is restricting fare codes. Sorry but, the above assertions are false. Airlines do not limit who they sell flights to and sell them to any and all customers. The problem with sites like Kayak, Expedia, Orbitz, etc. is they do not list all available flights. As others have said, matrix.itasoftware.com is probably the most complete site to view flights although a few low cost airlines do not appear on that site either. Another issue is looking for "direct" flights and expecting them to be non-stop. In fact, in airlineeze, direct flights have at least one stop before getting to your destination and sometimes more stops. Usually they are simply stops where you can stay on the aircraft however there are times where there are scheduled aircraft changes Direct and non-stop are completely different and if you ask an airline employee for a direct flights, there is a good possibility your flight will have a stop and possibly an aircraft change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare pinotlover Posted August 10, 2018 #20 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Rallydave’s Comments are right on! Also bunk was the comments on airlines preferring to sell bulk tickets to anyone , including airlines. The OP has not returned with any specifics about her travel needs, so giving her any meaningful answers is not possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted August 10, 2018 #21 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Sorry but, the above assertions are false. Airlines do not limit who they sell flights to and sell them to any and all customers. The problem with sites like Kayak, Expedia, Orbitz, etc. is they do not list all available flights. As others have said, matrix.itasoftware.com is probably the most complete site to view flights although a few low cost airlines do not appear on that site either. Another issue is looking for "direct" flights and expecting them to be non-stop. In fact, in airlineeze, direct flights have at least one stop before getting to your destination and sometimes more stops. Usually they are simply stops where you can stay on the aircraft however there are times where there are scheduled aircraft changes Direct and non-stop are completely different and if you ask an airline employee for a direct flights, there is a good possibility your flight will have a stop and possibly an aircraft change. Airlines that don’t have interline transfer agreement , like SouthWest , don’t show up in most search engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallydave Posted August 11, 2018 #22 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Airlines that don’t have interline transfer agreement , like SouthWest , don’t show up in most search engines. While it might be the lack of interline agreements, since ITA Software also provides the software engine for most airlines in the world, could also be that Southwest and similar airlines have their own computer systems that are not compatible with itamatrix. Since most people on CC are likely to use airlines that are on ITA Matrix, still makes it a great source of information and flights are actually broken down by non-stop, one-stop and two or more stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted August 11, 2018 #23 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Mine was a suggestion, not a command. You seem angry... often. Now there's a helpful comment for OP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate-AHF Posted August 11, 2018 Author #24 Share Posted August 11, 2018 There have been many helpful replies. The Matrix site will be a huge help to me. As far as more info, Yohoho was right, end of November 2018 11/28 LIS to IAD. Or BOS. Or EWR. Or ATL. Or PHL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Caroldoll Posted August 11, 2018 #25 Share Posted August 11, 2018 If you have an AMEX, call them and they will book it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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