Wondering about the definition of open-jaw? Keep reading to learn the meaning of open-jaw, see some examples, and get a better understanding of this travel glossary term!
What is an Open-Jaw Flight?
An open-jaw, in airline parlance, is a roundtrip flight where the passenger’s origin and/or destination differs in each direction; essentially, a round trip where there is no simple city pair.
Usually, it refers to the destination differing on either leg of the trip, also known more precisely as a destination open-jaw. Different airports in the same city don’t usually count towards being open-jaw, however.
Types of Open-Jaws
A destination open-jaw ticket is a kind of open-jaw flight itinerary where a roundtrip flight has the passenger’s destination differing in each direction.
An origin open-jaw ticket is a kind of open-jaw flight itinerary where a roundtrip flight has the passenger’s origin differing in each direction.
A double open-jaw ticket is a kind of open-jaw flight itinerary where a roundtrip flight has the passenger’s origin and destination differing in each direction.
Open Jaw Examples
Here are more specific examples for the various kinds of open-jaws, depending on the origins and destinations.
For our example, let’s look at a British tourist visiting Italy:
- If they book London (LHR) to Milan (MXP), returning Milan (MXP) to London (LHR), this is a standard round trip; the city pair matches (LHRx2, MXPx2).
- If they book London (LHR) to Milan (MXP), returning Rome (FCO) to London (LHR), this is known as a destination open-jaw (or just open-jaw, as it is the most common).
- If they book London (LHR) to Milan (MXP), returning Milan (MXP) to Manchester (MAN), this is known as an origin open-jaw.
- If they book London (LHR) to Milan (MXP), returning Rome (FCO) to Manchester (MAN), this is known as a double open-jaw.
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