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Book Direct Flights

Search and Book Direct Flights

Cut down your travel time with our Fastest Flight Filter. In just one click, discover the most direct flights to your destination—no more wasted hours or confusing layovers. Start your search now and get where you want to go, faster and easier than ever! Here's how you do it...

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What is a Direct Flight?

The term ‘direct flight’ can be a bit misleading. In everyday language, we often think it means flying straight from point A to point B. But in the airline industry, a direct flight simply means the flight keeps the same flight number throughout—even if it stops along the way.


There are lots of reasons as to why people book direct flights, such as:

  • 🕒 Save time- Direct flights reduce total journey time by skipping layovers and minimising waiting at connecting airports.
  • 😴 Less Hassle- No need to change planes, navigate different terminals, or recheck luggage. It’s a smoother, more straightforward experience.
  • 🧳 Lower Risk of Missed Connections- With no transfers involved, there’s less chance of delays causing missed flights or lost baggage along the way.
  • 👶 Better for Families and Older Travellers- Travelling with young children or elderly passengers is easier without the stress of rushing between flights.

How to Book a Direct Flight with Alternative Airlines

Step 1 - Search for flights

Search for flights

Use our search form to enter where and when you want to fly and hit 'Search Flights'.

How to Book a Direct Flight with Alternative Airlines

Step 2 - Filter search and select non-stop / fastest flights

Filter your search

On this page, you'll see all available flights for this route. By default, we display the lowest price flights first. Locate the 'Sort By' drop-down list found on the left of your screen.

From the 'Sort By' drop-down list, select 'Quickest Journey Time' and it will display the direct flights.


There is also a section on the left-hand side saying 'Stops' where you can select 0 stops (direct).

How to Book a Direct Flight with Alternative Airlines

Step 3 - Select flights and confirm booking

Pick your flights

There you have it! Now, you'll be able to search with the fastest journey flights displayed first and can easily and quickly find the most direct flight between your chosen destinations.

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Airlines Known for Direct Flights

Alternative Airlines offers tickets to 600+ global airlines, including major carriers and low-cost airlines. Whether you're flying short-haul or long-haul, you'll find flexible direct flight options across a wide range of routes. Many low-cost carriers offer extensive point-to-point networks, enabling you to skip layovers and reach your destination more quickly.


Budget airlines

If you're planning a quick city break, flying direct can save you time and reduce travel stress. Airlines that are Ideal for regional trips or short getaways include:

  • Southwest Airlines- A popular choice for domestic US travel, Southwest operates a large network of non-stop flights across the US, including to major cities and smaller airports.
  • easyJet- A leading European low-cost airline offering direct flights between hundreds of cities across Europe, including London, Berlin, Paris, and Milan.
  • Ryanair- Known for its expansive route map, Ryanair connects regional airports across Europe with frequent, direct flights to popular tourist and business destinations.
  • JetBlue- Offers non-stop services across the US and to the Caribbean and Latin America. Known for comfort and value, JetBlue’s direct flights are ideal for both leisure and business travel.
  • Vueling- Based in Spain, Vueling operates direct flights to over 100 destinations across Europe, making it a great choice for Mediterranean holidays or European city hopping.
  • AirAsia- A leading budget airline in Asia offering extensive direct routes throughout Southeast Asia and beyond, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia.
Delta plane taking off

Full-service airlines

Several airlines are known for offering a large number of long-haul direct flights, helping travellers reach distant destinations with fewer layovers, shorter total journey times, and a more seamless travel experience. Among the biggest global carriers known for their extensive non-stop international routes are:

  • American Airlines- American offers direct long-haul flights across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.
  • United Airlines- United operates an impressive network of direct intercontinental flights, including unique routes like San Francisco to Singapore and Newark to Cape Town.
  • Delta Air Lines- Delta flies non-stop to major international hubs from the US, including direct flights from Atlanta to Johannesburg, New York to Tel Aviv, and Los Angeles to Sydney.
  • British Airways- BA is known for its long-haul direct routes from London Heathrow to cities around the world, such as Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, and San Diego.
  • Qatar Airways- Qatar Airways offers long-haul direct flights from Doha to cities across every continent, including Auckland, Los Angeles, and Tokyo, often with luxurious service on board.
  • Emirates- Based in Dubai, Emirates connects travellers to over 150 destinations worldwide with direct flights to cities such as Melbourne, New York, and Cape Town.
  • Singapore Airlines- This airline operates some of the world’s longest non-stop routes, including Singapore to New York and San Francisco.
plane landing

Why Book Direct With These Airlines?

Booking with these carriers makes it easier to get where you're going with fewer stops, less hassle, and more comfort, especially on long-haul journeys. You’ll reduce the chances of delays from connecting flights and often enjoy a smoother airport and baggage experience.


Many of these airlines also offer premium cabin classes, onboard Wi-Fi, and award-winning entertainment systems, making your trip more enjoyable from take-off to landing.


Whether you're flying for business, leisure, or relocating abroad, Alternative Airlines helps you book direct flights with these top long-haul carriers quickly and securely — all in one place.

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Tips for Finding Cheap Direct Flights

Want to keep costs low? Here are some things to keep in mind:


Book in advance💡

Planning ahead is one of the best ways to secure lower fares. Airlines typically release their cheapest tickets months in advance, so booking early can help you score a better price on direct flights. Aim to book at least 6-8 weeks before you depart for the best deals.


Be flexible with your travel dates💡

Fares fluctuate depending on the day of the week and time of year. Flying mid-week is often cheaper than weekends, when demand is higher. Avoid school holidays, major events, and peak travel periods if you’re looking for lower fares. If your dates are flexible, use our Best Fare Finder tool to view prices across different days.


Consider alternative airports💡

Look for alternate airports near your destination. For instance, if you're flying to London, check if flights to nearby airports like London Gatwick or London Stansted offer cheaper flight options than Heathrow. Smaller airports can often have lower fees, which translates to cheaper tickets.

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Travel Insurance and Protection for Direct Flights

Unfortunately, even with a direct flight, unexpected delays, cancellations, or missed connections during stopovers can still happen, especially if your journey includes multiple legs under one flight number.


That’s where travel insurance and protection plans come in. Being prepared and booking the right travel insurance can help with claiming back costs if your flight is delayed, cancelled, or diverted.


When booking your direct flight with us, you’ll have the option to add travel protection at checkout. It’s a simple way to fly with more peace of mind.

Popular Direct Flight Routes by Region

North America

  • New York (JFK) ✈ Los Angeles (LAX) – A major transcontinental route, frequently served by airlines like American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue.
  • Chicago (ORD) ✈ Miami (MIA) – Popular for both business and leisure travellers, with direct flights offered by American Airlines and United Airlines.
  • Toronto (YYZ) ✈ Vancouver (YVR) – Connecting two of Canada’s largest cities, direct flights are available with Air Canada and WestJet.


Europe

  • London (LHR) ✈ Paris (CDG) – One of Europe’s busiest routes, served by British Airways, Air France, and easyJet, providing frequent direct flights.
  • Berlin (TXL) ✈ Rome (FCO) – A popular connection for both tourists and business travellers, with direct flights offered by Lufthansa and Alitalia.
  • Amsterdam (AMS) ✈ Barcelona (BCN) – This direct flight is offered by KLM, Vueling, and easyJet, connecting two vibrant European cities.


Asia

  • Tokyo (NRT) ✈ Seoul (ICN) – A major direct route between Japan and South Korea, with flights from Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and Asiana Airlines.
  • Bangkok (BKK) ✈ Singapore (SIN) – A key route for both business and leisure, operated by Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, and budget options like Scoot.
  • Delhi (DEL) ✈ Dubai (DXB) – A popular route connecting India and the UAE, served by Emirates, Air India, and flydubai.


Middle East

  • Dubai (DXB) ✈ Riyadh (RUH) – A major regional route connecting the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with Emirates and Saudia offering direct flights.
  • Doha (DOH) ✈ Cairo (CAI) – Qatar Airways operates direct flights between Qatar and Egypt, making it a popular option for business and leisure travellers.
  • Abu Dhabi (AUH) ✈ Jeddah (JED) – This direct route, offered by Etihad Airways and Saudia, connects the UAE and Saudi Arabia, frequently used by pilgrims and business travellers.

Ready to Book Your Direct Flights?

With direct flights, you can get to your destination faster and with less hassle. Book your direct flight today and make your journey as smooth as your arrival.

Direct Flights FAQs

How can I find direct flights?

You can search for direct flights using the Alternative Airlines search tool, which lets you filter results to show only direct flights. Simply enter your departure and destination cities, and apply the "direct flight" filter.

Why are direct flights more expensive?

The reason that direct flights are sometimes more expensive is that a more direct route results in fewer stops. Therefore, the airline is counting on high demand for the flight. This means that an airline might charge a slightly higher price to cover any losses if it's unable to fill the plane.

Direct flights aren't ALWAYS more expensive, though. For example, if the route is a popular one and the airline can easily fill up the flight, there's no reason for the airline to charge extra. Sometimes, a direct flight can be cheaper than stopping at other destinations on the way.

How is a direct flight different from a non-stop flight?

A non-stop flight flies straight from the departure airport to the destination without any stops along the way. A direct flight, on the other hand, may stop at one or more airports, but the flight number remains the same, and you stay on the same aircraft.

Are there direct flights to my destination?

Direct flights are available to many major cities worldwide. However, smaller destinations or regional airports may not always offer direct flight options. Use our search tool to check availability for your specific route.

How do I know if a flight is non-stop or direct?

You can usually check the flight details to see if it’s a non-stop or direct flight. Non-stop flights will have a single flight number, while direct flights may have the same flight number but will stop at one or more airports before reaching your final destination.

Can I change my direct flight booking?

Yes, direct flight bookings can often be changed or cancelled, depending on the airline’s policies. Be sure to review the airline’s terms and conditions when booking and check if they offer flexibility options like flight change fees or travel insurance.