Why Lufthansa Is Taking a Passenger to Court
Lufthansa, one of the world's largest airlines, is going after a passenger who it says engaged in hidden-city ticketing, CNN reports. According to the airline, a passenger booked a round-trip flight from Oslo (OSL) to Seattle (SEA) with a stop in Frankfurt (FRA). While the passenger took the outbound leg from Oslo via Frankfurt eventually arriving in Seattle, Lufthansa alleges that the passenger intentionally missed their return flight and instead booked another flight, with the final destination set as Berlin (TXL). Lufthansa is now pursuing legal action, claiming the passenger intentionally engaged in the practice known as hidden-city ticketing to save money on airfare.
What is Hidden-City Ticketing?
Hidden-city ticketing is the practice of booking an itinerary on an airline or airlines in which the passenger does not intend to fly on every leg of the itinerary. Why would a passenger book a ticket and not complete the itinerary? In some cases, the most direct itinerary or a one-way ticket cost more than a less direct itinerary (i.e. an itinerary that terminates in a different city) or round-trip ticket. Below is an actual example of hidden-city ticketing:
- Let's say a passenger is booking a one-way ticket from St. Louis, MO (STL) to Miami (MIA)
- The cost of a one-way nonstop flight from STL to MIA is $552
- The cost of a one-way one-stop flight from STL to Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) is $290
- That one-stop flight stops in Miami
- So, that passenger could spend $552 or $290 to fly on a nonstop flight from St. Louis to Miami, assuming that passenger skips the last leg of the itinerary to Nassau.
For travelers looking to save money on airfare, hidden city ticketing is quite convenient. There are numerous examples of itineraries where a traveler can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by booking hidden-city tickets. One hidden-city ticket enthusiast went on to create Skiplagged, a popular booking site through which travelers can book hidden-city fares. The founder of Skiplagged would eventually end up in court after United pursued legal action claiming that the practice violated the airline's contract of carriage. That lawsuit was thrown out for jurisdictional reasons.
In the case of the Lufthansa passenger who now faces the airline in court, the unnamed person's itinerary looked like this:
- The passenger was searching for flights from Oslo (OSL) to Seattle (SEA) and from Seattle to Berlin (TXL)
- The cost of a round-trip flight from Oslo (OSL) to Seattle (SEA) was less expensive than a multi-city ticket from Oslo to Seattle and then to Berlin
- The passenger booked a round-trip flight between Oslo and Seattle via Frankfurt but only flew the outbound leg and the first leg of the return leg
- The passenger then booked a separate ticket from Frankfurt to Berlin
Lufthansa alleges that the unnamed passenger violated the airline's contract of carriage by not completing the entire round-trip itinerary. The airline was initially seeking to collect €2,112 (~$2,385) in compensation. However, in December a district court threw the case out. Now, Lufthansa has appealed the court's December decision. Neither the passenger nor the airline have made a statement concerning the case.
This story has made headlines throughout Europe and North America with major media publications and sources picking up the story. Readers have reached out to TPG to share their own stories involving actions taken by an airline after claims they engaged in hidden-city ticketing. Look for a story Wednesday on what airlines are doing against what they deem an illegitimate practice.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees