mokka4

While I consider myself a savvy international travel to Europe, I am experiencing a new problem.
I have arranged my own last 8-9 trips, using the industry website (matrix.ita software.com) to research airfare, direct me to the most competitive airline for booking, etc.

I was dreaming of a quick trip to Switzerland in a couple weeks, without breaking the bank.
When I input PIT-->ZRH, I get $1600 for my dates.
BUT, if I check booking PIT-->JFK, then JFK--->ZRH, I get 'legal' and fully compatible connections WITH THE SAME airline (Delta), for $1100.

Of course I have made sure I have plenty of connection time (so if I have to claim my checked piece and re-check-in in JFK, that's fully doable).
In fact, to save this $500, I will have to endure a 6-9 hour layover in JFK in both directions (I'm willing).

Is this allowable? And if so, why would Delta's site not show it?
Thanks!

Dianedancer

You can call Delta and get the lowdown. I can't imagine it wouldn't be allowable.

eliztravels2

I had similar experience when trying to book a trip from Toronto to Kenya thru Europe. No way could I get the fare shown on matrix.ita by booking with the airline, Swiss Air. Google flights showed a similar fare but when I tried a dummy booking, more than once, it said it was no longer available. There wasn’t enough time between flights for me to risk booking on separate tickets. I ended up going with a different airline which cost a little more.

eliztravels2

If you have tickets, for each flight why wouldn’t you be allowed to fly? (Except of course if you get bumped)

Southam

I haven't had to try it, but ita supplies a breakdown of the flights on a complicated route with the suggestion that the reader can use the info to book. But when it is really complicated, the reasonable approach is to telephone a live agent with the data.