Quick Answer

• Hidden city ticketing is not illegal — no law prohibits passengers from leaving at a layover.
• However, it violates most airlines' contracts of carriage (their terms of service).
• Airlines can cancel frequent flyer miles, ban accounts, or charge fare differences.
• A 2015 lawsuit by United Airlines against Skiplagged was dismissed.
• It is a gray area: legal for passengers, but airlines actively discourage it.

About This Guide

This guide provides comprehensive information about hidden city ticketing strategies and their implications for air travelers. All information is based on current airline policies and verified for accuracy in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has anyone been sued for hidden city ticketing?

No individual passenger has been sued. United Airlines sued Skiplagged (the website) in 2015, but the case was dismissed. Airlines target the practice at a policy level, not through litigation.

Can an airline ban me for hidden city ticketing?

Yes. Airlines can suspend or terminate your frequent flyer account, revoke miles, and in rare cases, ban you from future bookings if they detect a pattern.

Is it fraud to use hidden city ticketing?

No. Purchasing a ticket and boarding the flight is not fraud. However, airlines argue it violates their terms of service, which is a contractual matter, not a criminal one.

What did the court say about Skiplagged?

The 2015 United Airlines lawsuit against Skiplagged was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds. The court did not rule on the legality of hidden city ticketing itself.

Should I use hidden city ticketing?

It depends on your risk tolerance. Occasional use with one-way tickets and carry-on is low risk. Frequent use with loyalty accounts is high risk. Always understand the consequences.

Quick Answer

• Hidden city ticketing is not illegal — no law prohibits passengers from leaving at a layover.
• However, it violates most airlines' contracts of carriage (their terms of service).
• Airlines can cancel frequent flyer miles, ban accounts, or charge fare differences.
• A 2015 lawsuit by United Airlines against Skiplagged was dismissed.
• It is a gray area: legal for passengers, but airlines actively discourage it.

About This Guide

This guide provides comprehensive information about hidden city ticketing strategies and their implications for air travelers. All information is based on current airline policies and verified for accuracy in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has anyone been sued for hidden city ticketing?

No individual passenger has been sued. United Airlines sued Skiplagged (the website) in 2015, but the case was dismissed. Airlines target the practice at a policy level, not through litigation.

Can an airline ban me for hidden city ticketing?

Yes. Airlines can suspend or terminate your frequent flyer account, revoke miles, and in rare cases, ban you from future bookings if they detect a pattern.

Is it fraud to use hidden city ticketing?

No. Purchasing a ticket and boarding the flight is not fraud. However, airlines argue it violates their terms of service, which is a contractual matter, not a criminal one.

What did the court say about Skiplagged?

The 2015 United Airlines lawsuit against Skiplagged was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds. The court did not rule on the legality of hidden city ticketing itself.

Should I use hidden city ticketing?

It depends on your risk tolerance. Occasional use with one-way tickets and carry-on is low risk. Frequent use with loyalty accounts is high risk. Always understand the consequences.