Travelers searching for flights from Europe to Southeast Asia are being shown journey options with 35-hour travel times and multiple self-transfers — saving only €100 over direct 20-hour options. The question: why do airlines and booking platforms present these inconvenient routes, and who actually books them?
A traveler posted to r/TravelHacks with frustration: "KLM shows me flights that take me to Amsterdam first, then to Paris for the long-haul flight (absolutely counter-intuitive and nonsensical). All these options are not significantly cheaper, maybe 100 euros or even less."
These aren't flights with intentional stopovers to explore new cities — they're routes with short layovers and self-transfers that make extended exploration impossible. So why show them at all?
Inventory Management
Airlines use dynamic pricing algorithms that factor in seat availability across their entire network. A route through Amsterdam and Paris might use emptier flights that the airline wants to fill, even if it's less convenient for passengers. By offering it at a small discount, they can fill otherwise empty seats while still making the direct flight seem like better value.
Ancillary Revenue
Longer journeys mean more opportunities for add-ons. Extra layovers increase the chance passengers will buy food, airport lounge access, or upgrade to premium economy for one leg. Multiple short flights also mean more checked baggage fees if bags need to be rechecked during self-transfers.
Codeshare and Alliance Politics
Many inconvenient routes result from airline partnerships. IATA codeshare agreements require airlines to display partner flights, even when routing is illogical. A Europe to Asia flight might route through multiple alliance hubs simply because those airlines have reciprocal agreements.
The Illusion of Choice
Some travelers suspect these terrible options exist primarily to make better-priced direct flights look like deals. "To create the illusion that I shouldn't mind paying more for a better, more hassle-free flight?" one commenter asked. There's truth to this — behavioral economics research shows consumers value options more when presented alongside clearly inferior alternatives.
Who Actually Books These?
Some travelers do intentionally book inconvenient routes:
- Mileage runners collecting frequent flyer points (more flights = more miles) - Travelers with flexible schedules who genuinely don't mind spending a day in airports to save €100 - People with airport lounge access who view long layovers as relaxation time - Mistake bookings from travelers who didn't notice total journey time
The Bottom Line
When booking flights, always check total journey time, not just price. A flight that saves €100 but adds 15 hours of travel and multiple self-transfers isn't a deal — it's a time tax. Sort search results by duration, not just cost, and remember: your time has value too.
The best travel isn't about the destination — but it definitely isn't about spending 35 hours in airports either.
