Rahul Sharma
Travel Writer
Confusing routing codes, overnight layovers, and codeshare flights — we break down what everything on your itinerary actually means.
A flight itinerary can look deceptively simple — departure, arrival, maybe a stop — but contains a surprising amount of information that affects your journey. Here's how to decode it.
The basics: direct vs. non-stop These two terms are frequently confused. A *non-stop* flight goes from A to B without landing anywhere in between. A *direct* flight has the same flight number throughout but may land at an intermediate city to let passengers on or off — without you needing to change planes. Always check whether your "direct" flight actually touches down somewhere.
Layover vs. stopover A *layover* is a connection under 24 hours. A *stopover* is a connection of 24 hours or more, which many airlines allow (and sometimes encourage) as it lets you explore a hub city. Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates are particularly known for enabling stopovers in their hub cities.
What is a codeshare? A codeshare is when one airline sells seats on a flight operated by another airline. Your ticket might say "AA1234" but you'll be boarding a British Airways aircraft. This matters for: lounge access (usually based on the operating carrier), baggage rules (follow the operating carrier's policy), and check-in desk location.
How to read the booking reference vs. ticket number Your *booking reference* (PNR) is a 6-character alphanumeric code used for check-in and changes. Your *ticket number* is a longer numeric code (usually 13 digits) that represents the actual purchased ticket. If you need a refund or have a dispute, you'll need the ticket number, not just the PNR.
Understanding fare class codes Every ticket has a fare class (a single letter like Y, B, M, Q, etc.). These don't correspond directly to cabin class — they represent the pricing tier within a cabin and affect: change/cancellation fees, miles earned, upgrade eligibility, and flexibility. Y is usually fully flexible economy; Q is typically a deeply discounted, heavily restricted fare.
What is a "hidden city" ticket? A quirk of airline pricing means that A→C can sometimes be cheaper than A→B, even when A→B is the first leg of A→C. Some travelers book A→C and simply exit at B (the "hidden city"). This is against most airlines' terms of service, risks having your frequent flyer account closed, and only works with carry-on luggage (your checked bag goes to C). Approach with caution.
Minimum connection times Every airport publishes minimum connection times (MCT) — the least amount of time needed to make a connection. Airlines factor these in when selling connecting tickets, but delays make short connections risky. As a rule: 45–60 minutes for domestic connections at small airports, 90 minutes for international connections at large airports, 2+ hours if clearing customs at a new country.
What to do if your itinerary shows "operated by" This phrase means the flight is a codeshare. Look up the operating carrier's check-in time, baggage rules, and terminal — these may differ from the marketing carrier shown on your ticket.