Skiplagged, a hidden-city ticket platform founded by Akturer Zaman, has been the subject of multiple lawsuits from major airlines such as United, Southwest, and American. Despite this legal trouble, Skiplagged is still in operation and continues to offer discounted tickets to travelers. The platform allows users to book flights with layovers and only travel to their desired final destination, skipping the connecting flight. Skiplagged has faced criticism from airlines for undercutting fares and disrupting operations, but it has managed to generate over $20 million in annual revenue.
One of the recent lawsuits against Skiplagged was brought by American Airlines, resulting in a federal jury in Texas deciding that the airline can recover $9.4 million in damages for copyright infringement. The judge in the case, Mark Pittman, criticized Skiplagged’s business practices and compared them to that of a skunk. Despite the negative judgment, Skiplagged remains in operation and continues to offer discounted tickets to travelers. Skiplagged’s CEO, Akturer Zaman, and its COO, Dan Gellert, who is the co-founder of the GateGuru app, are still running the company with a team of 20 employees.
The judge’s ruling highlighted Skiplagged’s business model of exploiting the hidden-city loophole in airline pricing. Skiplagged allows users to book flights on its platform, but the bookings are actually made on airline websites such as AA.com. Users receive confirmation numbers from the airline and are advised to seek customer support from the airline directly. While this strategy is popular among backpackers and bargain hunters, it is not a common practice among business travelers, as airlines may penalize them for participating in hidden-city ticketing. Skiplagged’s success hinges on its ability to stay ahead of airlines seeking to shut it down.
Despite the legal challenges it faces, Skiplagged remains a popular choice for travelers looking to save money on flights. The platform continues to offer discounted tickets, with some flights priced significantly lower than what airlines themselves offer. Skiplagged’s business practices have been criticized by airlines, but it has managed to generate significant revenue and build a loyal following of users. The recent lawsuit brought by American Airlines resulted in a $9.4 million decision against Skiplagged, but the company remains operational and may appeal the ruling.
At the heart of the controversy surrounding Skiplagged is its use of the hidden-city ticketing strategy, which allows users to book flights with layovers and skip the connecting flight to save money. The platform has faced legal battles with major airlines such as United, Southwest, and American, but it continues to operate and offer discounted tickets to travelers. While the future of Skiplagged may be uncertain due to ongoing legal challenges, the platform has proven resilient and remains a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking to save money on flights. Ultimately, the success of Skiplagged will depend on its ability to navigate the legal landscape and remain one step ahead of airline efforts to shut it down.
