In part 1 you learned how to demystify codes like AUH – BKK with EK. In Part 2 you will learn about a double open jaw and other fare constructions. Fasten your seat belts!
Open Jaw Type 1
A normal return flight will take you from A to B and back. An open jaw means that you are not flying back from B but from C. So you are flying to one destination and returning from another. It’s up to you how you travel between B and C. Maybe you will hike, drive, take a cruise, …
Example of Open Jaw Type 1: DXB – HAN, SGN – DXB
- Dubai – Hanoi
- Ho Chi Minh – Dubai
In part 1 you can read why why Ho Chi Minh airport is called SGN
It’s also interesting to know how these flights are processed in booking systems. Flights must be stored sequentialy so the gaps are shown as ARNK (arrival unknown)
Segment 1: DXB - HAN
Segment 2: ARNK
Segment 3: SGN - DXB
Open Jaw Type 2
It’s also possible that you return to a different airport than the one you originally departed from.
Example of Open Jaw Type 2: DXB – BOM, BOM – AUH
- Dubai – Mumbai
- Mumbai – Abu Dhabi
The reason why I explained airport codes in part 1 is because it will make your life so much easier. If you know that Mumbai was called Bombay in the past then BOM makes a lot more sense.
Double open Jaw
If you combine the 2 types above then you have a … double open jaw!
Circle
The Circle fare is self explanatory, you start and end in the same airport but you add some extra stops.
Why bother about Open Jaw and Circle flights
Often special discounted fares are valid for (Double) Open Jaw and Circle flights. On top of that it might suit your travel itinerary better. So don’t limit yourself to “simple” return flights. I also wrote a post about how you can save 50% on your flight by using neighboring airports
How to search and book Jaws and Circles?
The most flexible search engine I know to search these type of flights and fares is Matrix IATA Airfare Search. The advantage is that you can make your itinerary quite flexible as you can choose if you want to depart on a specific date or a couple of days before or after
Notes:
- Different airlines sometimes have different fare rules so its best to also compare separate flights.
- Some alliances (group of of airlines) offer special circle or around the world fares, read this post on tripadvisor.
Next time
You learned how to decode airport codes in part 1 and now you know that besides one way and return flights there are also open jaw and circle fares. In part 3 we will discover what error fares are. Get ready to save a lot of cash.
Very good article post.Really thank you! Awesome. Soucie
@Abhie thanks a lot for your feedback, I will soon book my first flight using miles, then I will write part 3 about how to collect a lot of miles quickly and how to get the most out of your miles!