Flight Tickets: Possible Options

One-Way or Return Tickets

Price Considerations

One-way tickets at negotiated fares for a destination are quite common, including when booking online. Without generalizing too much, prices typically range from 50% to 66% of a round-trip ticket in most cases. However, not all charter flights or airlines (even with negotiated fares) allow one-way tickets for certain destinations or across their entire network. Similarly, one-way tickets to the home country of many carriers are often not available.

For return tickets, the situation is a bit more complex, and opportunities are quite rare with negotiated fares. Sometimes, they are only allowed as a complement to a previously purchased one-way ticket. In all cases, if there’s nothing available at a negotiated fare, full-price one-way tickets are often offered, which can be much more expensive than a round-trip ticket at a negotiated price.

Entry Requirements

Beyond not finding a good deal, the real issue with one-way tickets (outside the EU) is the risk of being denied boarding at the airport or upon arrival. Many countries require return or onward tickets. Similarly, airlines are often hesitant to allow travelers without return tickets, as the airline is held responsible and must cover the cost of repatriation in case of deportation (though they may seek reimbursement later).

Solutions

In short, it’s not straightforward. If the reason for choosing a one-way ticket is simply uncertainty about the return date, the best option is to book an "open" ticket or one that allows changing the return date.

The same applies if you plan to travel overland across several countries. In this case, a multi-city ticket (different arrival and departure cities, even in two countries) or an onward ticket may work. As a last resort, to comply with entry requirements, you can buy a full-price ticket to leave the country and later request a refund minus fees (a feature of full-price tickets). Finally, note that beyond flights, a bus, train, or boat ticket can also suffice.

Category-Based Tickets

Under this label, you’ll find all tickets and special offers tailored to specific population groups.

For Young Travelers

Infants and Children

The most well-known category-based fares are for infants and children.

Infants (under 2 years old), who don’t occupy a seat, usually pay 10% of the adult fare. Children (under 12) typically pay the full fare on charter flights and often on low-cost airlines, but they may benefit from discounts on most regular airlines, with reductions of up to 50%. After age 12, children fall into the "youth" or "student" category for possible discounts.

Note that children aged 4 to 12 or 15 can also travel alone (rare on charter or low-cost flights) and are supervised by cabin crew.

Youth and Students

Other specific offers in terms of price and/or ticket features are available for youth and students (often up to 25 or 27 years old).

Note that these offers are rarely displayed in online search engines (unlike infant and child fares, which are always shown), so it’s best to contact specialists or deal directly with travel agencies or carriers.

For Others

Miscellaneous groups, such as retirees or those over 60, often benefit from specific offers on regular flights (less so on low-cost or charter flights). Some travel agencies or carriers also offer special rates for groups (usually a minimum of 10 people), as well as more "anecdotal" deals for couples or even certain professional categories. In all cases, it’s best to inquire directly.

Prepaid or Foreign-Purchased Tickets

This can be interesting when you know the same ticket isn’t necessarily sold at the same price depending on the country of issue.

Prepaid

Originally, this was a system offered by airlines allowing you to buy a ticket in France, for example, and send it to someone abroad, or vice versa.

Before the internet, you had to ask someone to buy the ticket from an agency or carrier, who would then send it. The ticket would later be collected locally at an airline office. To complete the transaction, you had to provide the passenger’s details (yourself) and the buyer’s details, as well as the ticket pickup date. Of course, you needed a contact on-site...

Purchasing Abroad

The internet, online bookings, and e-tickets have changed things significantly. While the old prepaid system is still valid, the focus now is on offers from foreign websites. Here, too, you’ll notice that prices for the exact same ticket can vary from one country to another. So, it’s worth taking advantage, though it’s best to know how to proceed.

First, to compare effectively, choose websites from countries in the Eurozone. This also avoids potential exchange rate issues if the euro suddenly drops. Similarly, for purchases in euros, your bank won’t charge a commission, unlike transactions in other currencies. Obviously, it’s still better to opt for well-known, secure sites, as some travel agencies and carriers have multiple versions of their online booking systems.

The booking and e-ticket issuance process remains the same as for a purchase on a French website.

Limitations

Note that some "multi-country" sites have implemented measures to redirect users to their "home" country’s version. Similarly, some payment systems can complicate things if a bank card is used on a foreign site, while others only accept cards from the country (e.g., some US sites). As for using a third party to make the purchase, this isn’t always possible, as some sites require the cardholder to be one of the travelers.

Legally, there’s nothing preventing you from making purchases on any website available online.

Promotional Tickets

A societal phenomenon, promotional or last-minute offers (unsold inventory) have multiplied, coming from both airlines and tour operators. The destinations offered are first mainstream but increasingly diverse. Many travelers now take advantage of these opportunities, adapting to their constraints.

However, be cautious—travel promotions require careful consideration. After exploring various options, you’ll quickly realize that the "great deal" advertised here is often no better than what you’d find elsewhere at the same price. In air travel, some also tend to confuse an economy airline’s fare with an exceptional market promotion. For example, the perennial Aeroflot Paris-Beijing flight for under 550 € round-trip has been presented as a promotion for years, when it’s simply its standard negotiated price.

In short, look for promotions but stay vigilant if you want real bargains...

Round-the-World Tickets

• See the "Special Travels" guide

From the simplest to the most complex, from the cheapest (under 1,500 €) to the most expensive, from a sabbatical year to a 30-day express round-the-world trip (validity period), all options are possible, including limiting the world to a single continent.

But beware—planning such an air journey isn’t something you improvise and requires following precise rules to get the best price...

Charter, Low-Cost, and Regular Flights

Charter Tickets

Charter flights are planes chartered more or less occasionally by a tour operator, but more often, just a few seats are reserved and prepaid with a specialized or even regular airline. Unlike regular flights, (true) charters aren’t scheduled in advance, which can result in departures at unusual times.

Charter tickets are only sold through travel agencies. They usually come with specific usage conditions, often the least restrictive (special validities, no child discounts, non-changeable dates, etc.). Contrary to what one might think, charter fares aren’t systematically cheaper than regular flights, especially during peak periods or compared to low-cost airlines.

Regular Flight Tickets

Regular flights correspond to routes operated by scheduled airlines. These are planned in advance, with precise schedules and frequencies published in easily accessible flight guides. Regular flights cover a wide range of destinations.

At the base, a regular flight ticket offers great flexibility in use and organization (validity, modifications, etc.). However, "negotiated fares" tend to reduce this flexibility, and for some, usage limits can sometimes resemble those of charters. Still, you can generally benefit from longer "base" validities, lower penalties for changes, and with some carriers, the option to modify your return date for free or at little cost once on-site. Also note opportunities for stopovers, broader multi-city options, air passes, category discounts, and all other possibilities offered by airlines.

Low-Cost Tickets

Low-cost airlines are carriers that, to reduce costs and offer the most competitive fares, often use secondary airports near major cities and provide minimal or paid services on board.

With a low-cost ticket, both transport and service options (especially free ones) will be very limited. Also note that these airlines are traditionally sold only online or via call centers, without intermediaries (though some are now occasionally available on various booking engines).

Inclusive Tour (or IT)

This involves purchasing a flight along with various services (hotel, vehicle, etc.). Even for independent travelers, an IT can sometimes be appealing and occasionally very advantageous.

Note that this formula isn’t necessarily synonymous with a package tour, and you can always limit services to the bare minimum, such as a hotel night upon arrival, a "freedom" accommodation package with a hotel chain, or a "fly and drive" system (flight + car) as offered in North America, for example.

Many travel agencies offer such options at not always excessive prices (promotions also exist). For destinations like the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Santo Domingo, or Cuba, prices at certain times and with certain formulas (especially "all-inclusive") can be very close to airfare alone! So, it’s worth taking advantage.

Multi-City (or "Open Jaw")

Like stopovers, multi-city flights are an opportunity offered by many airlines. This type of flight allows you to arrive in one city and depart from another, not necessarily in the same country.

Generally, the cities in question are served by the same airline (or partners) or chartered by the same tour operator. This avoids having to make a "loop" during your trip, which can be very useful on occasion.

Options

This type of service is usually available for free or at little cost for many common destinations. Almost all travel agencies now offer this formula, including on charter flights. The most classic examples include the USA or Canada (alone or combined), the Caribbean, Morocco, Turkey, Greece and its islands, Portugal, etc. For less obvious or broader multi-city options, some research may be needed, especially online (in this case, use the "multi-destination" option if available in the search engine).

However, keep in mind that negotiated fares don’t always allow multi-city flights with all airlines, and these still follow a certain "geographical logic" by continent or region.

A useful tip is that if multi-city flights are used abroad, they can also be done within France or even with European cities for which the agency or airline offers departures. Though not typically part of travel agencies’ programs, it’s often possible.

Like stopovers, multi-city flights are used to build round-the-world trips.

Air Passes

An air pass is a discounted package that allows multiple trips within one or more countries on the network of one or more airlines. This formula is quite common and can be an excellent way to travel long distances within a country or even a continent, or around the world with Alliance formulas (Skyteam, Star, Oneworld).

Principle

Usually, passes must be purchased before departure. For most, the itinerary and reservations must be set in advance, cannot be changed, and require departure from outside the continent or the purchase of the initial flight on the airline and/or agency offering the package. There may be high and low seasons, child or student fares, and various validities ranging from a few days to 6 months or even a year. The number of tickets, called "coupons," in the pass may be limited with the option to buy additional coupons, or unlimited.

Similarly, these packages can cover just a few specific routes or the entire network of one or sometimes several airlines. For some, particularly US passes, territorial extensions are available. While there are generally many options in terms of durations, routes, and covered areas, many prohibit backtracking or multiple stops in the same city (except in transit). Generally, an unused pass is never refunded. Check with agencies for the most common ones and with airlines for the rest.

Main Air Passes

• Worldwide or multi-continent: See the Alliance packages Skyteam, Star, and Oneworld.

• Africa Pass: Oneworld; Skyteam; Star Alliance. By country: Air Austral (Indian Ocean); SATA (Azores); TACV (Cape Verde).

• North/Central America/Caribbean Pass: Oneworld; Skyteam; Star Alliance. By country: Skyteam (Mexico).

• South America Pass: Oneworld. By country: Aerolineas Argentinas (Argentina); Avianca (Colombia); TAM (Brazil).

• Asia Pass: Oneworld; Skyteam; Star Alliance. By country: Air India (India); Jet Airways (India); One World (Japan, Malaysia); Skyteam (China); Star Alliance (China, Japan).

• Europe Pass: Oneworld; Skyteam; Star Alliance. By country: Air Iceland (Iceland); Skyteam (Russia); Wideroe (Norway).

• Middle East Pass: Oneworld.

• Pacific Pass: Oneworld; Skyteam. By country: Air Calédonie (New Caledonia); Air Tahiti (Polynesia).

Standby

An English term meaning "immediate boarding based on available seats," and if the plane is full, you wait for the next one. Obviously, the fares are attractive. In practice, this corresponds to J-1 tickets bought at the airport on the day of departure, at least in some foreign countries, notably Switzerland, Germany, or English-speaking countries. In France, this formula doesn’t exist—or rather, hasn’t existed for a long time—except for airline staff.

In short, departing from France (and many other countries), there’s no chance of finding a great deal with this system. On the contrary, if you try to buy your flight directly at the airport on the day of departure, you’ll invariably be offered a full-price ticket...

Stopovers

Principle

When flying, you might sometimes want to stop along the way before reaching your final destination. No problem—many airlines have thought of this and offer passengers, including those traveling on negotiated fares, the option of stopovers at layovers.

These are stops of at least 24 hours and a variable maximum, planned when the ticket is issued. Depending on the case, these stops may be free or offered with a supplement of a few dozen euros. Similarly, some stops may be free while others are paid within a set of authorized stops.

Options

However, the choices aren’t unlimited and follow a certain logic. They’re primarily offered on long-haul flights. Additionally, possible stops must obviously be on the same airline route and correspond to layovers or connections.

Schematically, the possible cities are primarily the airlines’ hubs. Generally, the most opportunities are for flights to Asia or the Pacific.

But be careful—just because a flight makes several stops along the way doesn’t mean all are authorized stopovers. It also depends on the airlines (European ones aren’t the most generous), legislation, and the type of ticket chosen. Still, for some routes to Australia or the Pacific, you can sometimes have up to 5 stops with certain carriers like Air New Zealand or United departing from France.

In short, these are excellent opportunities that may interest you but are unfortunately rarely used by travelers and sometimes even unknown to agencies or online booking systems (though you can manage if there’s a "multi-destination" option in the search engine).

Finally, this stopover system can occasionally replace a short air pass or form the basis of a round-the-world trip. More generally, if you want to visit several cities on the same airline route, it’s cheaper to take advantage of stopovers when available than to book a flight and add extra segments.

Validity, Open Tickets, and Modifiable Returns

While not exactly a special type of ticket, maximum validity and the option to modify the return date—or even have an open ticket—are essential criteria for some travelers when choosing a flight, to the point that they prioritize tickets and airlines offering these advantages. These benefits can be obtained without necessarily resorting to full-price tickets.

However, note that online booking systems generally provide little to no information about these options, so it’s best to consult a "physical" agency for advice or even purchase these types of tickets.

Though there are no general rules, some general principles can be defined.

Definitions

Ticket validity: Variable; up to 1 year maximum depending on the ticket type. Generally, the longer the validity, the more expensive it is. The most common validities are 1 month, 45 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year.

Modifiable return: This means that even if the ticket shows a return date, it can be changed with the airline for free or at little cost.

Open ticket: The departure date is set, but the return date is left to the passenger’s choice within the ticket’s validity period.

Charter Flights

Traditionally, for many tourist destinations, the base validity is often a maximum of 4 weeks. In some cases, tour operators may limit it to a week or to a date set by the last return charter to the destination. However, there’s increasing flexibility from tour operators (or airlines) in this area. Some tickets can sometimes be extended for a fee, and for certain destinations (French overseas territories) or with certain carriers, validities can approach those of regular flights, sometimes up to 1 year. This evolution also reflects the expectations of part of the public.

As for open or modifiable returns, they’re still quite limited (except often for French overseas territories).

Regular Flights

Validity

Great disparity depending on the carrier and even the destination, though in reality, given the choices for most, you can always find the full range of possible validities (from 30 to 365 days max) at good prices. So, for the same regular negotiated route, you can have a restricted base validity with one airline and a much longer one with another, even at nearly identical prices.

Additionally, the same carrier may offer different durations depending on the geographical areas it serves. For example, some extend validity for Australia, while others limit it for Europe or their home country.

Of course, these are only the "usual or base" validities of carriers, i.e., those most easily found in agency offers at the best prices. An airline offering 45-day validity can also provide 6-month or 1-year tickets for a higher price (though sometimes only slightly). However, the reverse (cheaper) isn’t true.

Also note that validity can affect the benefits offered (stops, return modification, etc.).

Modifiable or Open Return

Regarding modifiable or open returns, even if rarely mentioned by sellers, many airlines quite easily offer open returns or allow changing the return date on-site for free or at little cost. In all cases, inquire, including once on-site with the airline.

Direct Flight, Non-Stop Flight, and Connections

Direct

A direct flight ticket corresponds to a route operated under the same flight number by the same airline (or alliance), but with technical and/or commercial layovers that may sometimes involve a change of aircraft. Many people mistakenly confuse direct flights with non-stop flights, thinking that a direct flight doesn’t involve any stops.

Non-Stop

A non-stop flight ticket corresponds to a route operated without any stops. These are the fastest flights and often the most expensive.

Flight with Connections

After non-stop and direct flights, this is by far the most common type of flight, involving one or more connections, especially at airline hubs.

Example: You arrive in Bangkok and then take another flight to Singapore with the same airline or a new, more or less partner airline. The connection may be almost immediate or planned for a longer period, sometimes even with an overnight stay (paid or at the passenger’s expense, depending). It may also take place at the same terminal (or airport) or another.

Logically, these flights are the longest and, in principle, also more economical than direct or non-stop flights (though this depends on the airline).

Continuation

This could be called a variant. While in the previous case, you only transit through the stopover city, you might also want to stop there before continuing your journey.

In this case, two possible solutions should be compared in terms of price. Either you ultimately take two separate tickets (A > B + B > C), or you check if B is a stopover on the route to C, and if so, at what price. In the latter case, there will be only one ticket, allowing a stop (of variable duration) in B before continuing to C. Quite often, when the stop is authorized, this formula remains the most economical.

Note that almost everywhere in the world, for the same distance, a domestic flight is much cheaper than an international route. Similarly, using the services of certain foreign airlines departing from France (or elsewhere) sometimes entitles you to discounts on domestic flights or air packages in that airline’s country.

Pre-Routing

Simply put, pre-routing corresponds, for example, to a flight offered from a regional departure but requiring a stop in Paris or another city to change planes.

Schematically, the principle of pre-routing is quite simple: it involves an airline grouping passengers from various cities at its hub before transporting them together to their final destination.

Important to Know

When a flight requires a connection, especially in a city near the departure city, the passenger must complete the entire journey, or the entire ticket may be canceled. For example, if you’ve bought a Brussels-Paris-New York flight, you can’t decide to board in Paris instead of Brussels. The same applies when a regional flight requires pre-routing to Paris or elsewhere (including by train).

Courier Flights

What Is It?

A courier (with one "r") is the urgent transport of materials worldwide using cargo space on passenger flights of regular airlines.

Concretely, some companies (usually Anglo-Saxon) buy tickets from different carriers to use only the baggage space; the passenger seat isn’t used by the company, so it’s resold at a low price. Traveling with this system obviously means having only carry-on luggage. Otherwise, you’re considered a traveler like any other.

That said, in recent years and for various reasons, the "courier" system has significantly declined, though some opportunities still exist.

How It Works and Available Offers

Depending on the season, destination, or airline, ticket validity can vary widely from a few days to several weeks. Generally, it’s most often a round-trip. Similarly, departure days and fares vary regularly based on the companies’ activity and the time of year. You must book directly and exclusively with the company by calling during business hours. However, they often only issue one courier per day, so if you’re traveling with others, you’ll need to book with someone else (on some destinations, several companies offer couriers on the same day) or for a different departure date. Tickets are usually available online. Occasionally, a deposit may be required.

While there have been no public opportunities from Paris for a long time, from the United States and Canada (major cities), Mexico, Sydney, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and more interestingly for us, London, opportunities still exist and offer good fares.

See "Air Courier" for a list of offers worldwide.