Open-Jaw – Glossary Definition

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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