Does ‘Direct’ Equal Nonstop?

There are so many terms in the English language that can be interchanged without much consequence. Those same terms in one industry might have a completely different meaning in another. Well, we are in the travel industry and the well-meaning client or novice might toss the terms ‘direct’ and ‘nonstop’ around and interchange them unknowingly, but there is a difference and if not addressed appropriately this can have quite the negative effect to your client.

When referring to flights:

• Nonstop – a flight from your origin to destination without any stops along the way.
• Direct – a direct flight is from one airport to another but makes at least one stop along the way. Usually, the passenger is not required to get off the plane for that stop if they are continuing to their destination but in some situations the local regulations may require it. The flight number will not change, the aircraft doesn’t change and your boarding pass remains the same until you reach the destination.
• Connecting – flights that get your passenger from their origin to their destination which require changing planes, a layover and a different boarding pass.

The distinction does seem harmless enough but when communicating with your clients, help them to understand the difference. They may be asking for a direct flight unknowingly, thinking it mean nonstop. Most likely, most clients will be looking for nonstop if its possible. Some may be looking for a connection with the longest possible layover for one reason or another, possibly to visit a destination or someone at that destination. In my past airline experience, very few passengers are seeking a direct flight because they don’t realize they exist.

As an advisor it is important to be on the lookout for those direct flights that may sneak into an itinerary. Once recognized, it is then crucial to advise your clients of the direct flight. There have been too many stories of unhappy clients when they disembark the plane only to find that they are not at their destination, often after the flight has continued on without them.

What other terms can you think of that should be clarified?