Airnorth threatens to ban passengers who take advantage of "hidden city" loophole

[Mattg]

No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au

AIRNORTH has threatened to ban passengers who choose the airline’s cheapest available option for flying between Darwin, Gove and Cairns.

As a result of “aggressive competition” on the airline’s Darwin to Cairns service, which stops at Gove, the airline has discounted its flights, but has maintained its higher prices between Darwin and Gove, where it is the only operator.


One-way “Air Saver” flights on the 646km Darwin to Gove route are available for between $379 and $409, while a flight on the 1680km Cairns to Darwin route costs $399.


The price difference is most apparent on the 1094km Cairns to Gove route, where passengers will pay as much as $599 for an “Air Saver” ticket.

Looks like Airnorth is taking a similar stance to some American carriers when it comes to passengers taking advantage of hidden city bookings.

 

[juddles]

I would never suggest anything incorrect, but since there is no ID control on domestic flights, why cant people just use any name and thus prevent being tracked by thee airline?

 

[Jay Cee]

I would never suggest anything incorrect, but since there is no ID control on domestic flights, why cant people just use any name and thus prevent being tracked by thee airline?

juddles, What do you mean by no ID control?? Every time I fly Domestic I am always asked for my photo ID at check-in.


or are you talking about self-check-in on mobile/laptop/kiosk & bag tags from a machine !???

regards

 

[burmans]

juddles, What do you mean by no ID control?? Every time I fly Domestic I am always asked for my photo ID at check-in.


or are you talking about self-check-in on mobile/laptop/kiosk & bag tags from a machine !???

regards

You mean you still check in at a counter?

Would have thought this would be hard to enforce, name by itself usually does not identify, has to be name and secondary ID. If secondary ID is address you could give differing addresses.

 

[kalboy]

I haven't used a photo ID for a Domestic flight in probably ten years. Use my FF Card @ 50 times a year and have never been asked.

 

[Mal]

As their plane types seat between 17 and 76, the chances of staff recognising you, and refusing you the chance to disembark at the earlier city are very high if you did this more than once...

 

[opusman]

I would never suggest anything incorrect, but since there is no ID control on domestic flights, why cant people just use any name and thus prevent being tracked by thee airline?

It's actually illegal to do that now. You're unlikely to get caught of course but I'm not sure the risk is worth saving a few dollars over.

 

[VHOEJ]

Threatening to ban passengers is a bit rough - would you rather they exploit your loophole or have the seat go empty?

 

[Reggie]

I haven't used a photo ID for a Domestic flight in probably ten years. Use my FF Card @ 50 times a year and have never been asked.

Even after using online checkin and handing over my QFFer card when dropping my bag off at ZNE, PBO, KTA and PHE I am always asked to provide photo ID.

 

[jsoprano]

Even after using online checkin and handing over my QFFer card when dropping my bag off at ZNE, PBO, KTA and PHE I am always asked to provide photo ID.

I am usually asked for photo ID when checking in bags, at least on VA. But hidden city ticketing would only work with hand luggage only anyway, as they wouldn't tag your bag "short" (or if they would, this is the easiest part of the loophole to fix).

 

[esquire]

Agree - bag drop, check in, collecting your ticket - all require ID. As for carry on luggage - everything is weighed - even handbags, laptop bags etc so almost everyone has to end up checking in something.

But they are a pretty good (old fashioned) airline and the DWN-TSV leg they do with QF codeshare is very convenient if you can get it on that few days it runs.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I am usually asked for photo ID when checking in bags, at least on VA. But hidden city ticketing would only work with hand luggage only anyway, as they wouldn't tag your bag "short" (or if they would, this is the easiest part of the loophole to fix).

Eva Air in BNE will not short tag bags to TPE if someone's booked a cheaper BNE/xTPE/HKG one way fare. I guess you could check in with HLO to HKG then once on the ground in TPE there would be nothing to stop anyone from telling BR staff they'd a change of plans & they wouldn't be travelling on to HKG any more.

 

[citygirl72]

This was posted on a Gove Community Facebook page yesterday by their local MLA...not sure if it will be readable...

 

[Jay Cee]

You mean you still check in at a counter?

>snip.

I prefer the personal touch, that means making contact with personnel of VA before I get on one of their aircraft.