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title: "What Is The Easiest Way To Book Virtual Interline Airline Connections?"
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> **Original source:** https://simpleflying.com/how-to-book-virtual-interline-airline-connections/

 

Published Feb 3, 2025, 12:00 PM EST

**Journalist** – Aaron is an aviation and travel journalist with 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. His background spans airport operations, aviation infrastructure, and travel consulting, having worked with global organizations across New Zealand, Europe, and North America.

Combining industry expertise with firsthand travel experience across more than 52 countries and five continents, Aaron covers airlines, airports, aviation policy, and the wider travel sector. He is based in Canterbury, New Zealand.

His work has been published in Simple Flying and featured by MSN, SAM CHUI Aviation & Travel, EIN News, Pakistan Defence, and Climate Depot.

When booking a ticket for your next trip, it could be as simple as logging onto your favorite airline and selecting to fly from point A to point B; however, if you need to travel with varying airlines and on separate tickets, the ease of [virtual interlining](https://simpleflying.com/jetstar-indigo-partnership-launch/) is making it easier for those in a cost-conscious society.

## Creating airline itineraries that connect smoothly

If we had it the perfect way, you could select an itinerary from the depths of the [Australian outback](https://simpleflying.com/outback-ayers-rock-airport/) to central [Africa](https://simpleflying.com/tag/africa/), using multiple carriers with varying agreements or [alliances](https://simpleflying.com/tag/airline-alliances/), and ensure that you could check in and see your luggage at your final destination without hassle.

![easyJet Airbus A320neo Departing Paris](https://static0.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/easyjet_g-uzhe_airbus_a320neo_at_cdg.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=528&h=374&dpr=2)

Unfortunately, as many of us may know, the airline world is not that simple. As many of us opt for booking via online travel agencies without the personal touch or full understanding of airline agreements, the opportunities for virtual interlining make it easier for many.

Take low-cost carriers, for example, which, due to costs, limit their partnerships with other [legacy carriers](https://simpleflying.com/thread/how-has-the-low-cost-boom-influenced-legacy-offerings-in-europe/) or other ULCCs and drift away from their core business model.

The benefits of virtual interlinings for airlines, alongside other travel retailers and the travelers themselves, means that passengers get more options on potentially cheaper itineraries. The airline itself has the opportunity to expand its profit by an extension of sellable content.

Virtual interlining allows airlines to expand their network 'virtually', offering flights with other carriers on their website. This allows the principal airline to expand its client base and capture customers who previously may not have considered this airline. The most popular online travel agencies (OTA's) now using virtual interlining, include the likes of Skyscanner. The beauty of virtual interlining doesn't stop at just air in some regions; it can also extend to trains and planes.

Furthermore, additional services, like branded fares, baggage or seat selection, travel insurance, and other cancellation protection, are just additional ancillary revenues that can be considered through virtual interlining. [Tripstack](https://www.tripstack.com/news), a leader in the VI space, believes that 12 to 15% of all itineraries in the future could be sold through virtual interlining.

## Complex itineraries are made simple through the use of virtual interlining and interline airline agreements

Creating bespoke itineraries with a range of airlines is made simple through both interline agreements (allowing passengers to book through itineraries on two (or more) airlines with less hassle than booking each one separately), and virtual interlining (where combining flights through airlines that don't hold interline agreements is done through a third party), can result in passengers getting more connecting options, and cheaper airfares.

Retailers selling itineraries through virtual interlining can charge higher markups (equalling more commission) on the most complex of itineraries while still finding attractive ones that would appeal to the traveler. Thus, it can result in a win-win situation for all involved.

## What are the true benefits for travelers?

At ground level, it may be challenging for some to comprehend the benefits of virtual interlining or interline agreements in general, but for travelers, the price point and connectivity would supersede what they may have originally thought possible.

![British Airways Airbus A320 taxiing at London Gatwick Airport LGW shutterstock\_1473129773](https://static0.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/british-airways-airbus-a320-taxiing-at-london-gatwick-airport-lgw-shutterstock_1473129773.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=528&h=374&dpr=2)

Building the best itinerary means removing existing travel challenges. Non-direct flights through Europe, for example, are significantly cheaper than travel with legacy carriers using virtual interlining. Take [Ryanair](https://simpleflying.com/tag/ryanair/), for example, the largest low-cost carrier in Europe. While they have an extensive direct point-to-point network across the continent, there could still be differing itineraries that do not have a direct service. The benefits of virtual interlining, where applicable, can mean that passengers can opt for a new itinerary through a previously unconsidered route.

While there are obvious disadvantages, such as the airline not communicating with the following flight, which could result in unexpected hassles when a flight is delayed or canceled, this does mean that the responsibility for these lies with the passenger, who is required to transfer their baggage and ensure they are rechecked in for the next flight.

Airports, however, can look to minimize the risk; where London Gatwick has pioneered virtual interlining, such as GatwickConnect, which began in 2015, providing passengers baggage transfer services through one of Europe's busiest low-cost-carrier airports, however the programme is no longer in service.

### A break-down of how virtual interlining or interline agreements ensure you make the most out of your next trip

For your next trip, the benefits of an interline agreement or virtual interlining may not be seen on the surface, but there are plenty of reasons why they will make your voyage even more enjoyable. Read on to learn more:

Why?

Explained:

**Easier trip planning**

-   Simplified book and search options for your itinerary
-   Single mult-city reservations in just one click

**Easier connections**

-   Third parties will monitor your flights, and rebook proactively if delays will put your itinerary in jeopardy
-   Stress-free luggage transfers, where possible

**Flexible rebooking**

-   Negotiated relaxed fare rules with airline partners

**Cost savings**

-   Consolidated airfares throughout the virtual airline, or interline agreement network, versus booking direct

**A wider range of options**

-   Extended reach to airports that could not historically be serviced by legacy carriers, or one airline alone

**Customer service**

-   One central point of coordination for your multi-stop itinerary

**Better layovers**

-   While your itinerary may encounter more stops than previously experienced, potential flight combinations mean you could arrive at your final destination quicker

**Alternative routes**

-   New and exciting itineraries between your start, and finish point

![Pegasus A320 taking off](https://static0.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pegasus-a320-taking-off.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=528&h=374&dpr=2)

Many of us are time-poor and budget-conscious, so these innovative solutions address our need for effortless, multi-flight itineraries from one booking point.

## The world's leading virtual interlining airports

There are a number of airports leading the way for virtual interlining, whether it be through airline partnerships or the ability to offer increased travel volumes; there are a number of airports you could pass through on your next unique, VI-enhanced itinerary. These airports are recommended by [Airsiders](https://www.airsiders.com/the-top-10-virtual-interlining-hubs-to-watch-in-2025):

### Rome Fiumicino (FCO)

With an extensive network across Europe, the airport has modern infrastructure that allows passengers to connect through a range of low-cost carriers while also working with full-service carriers.

### Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)

Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, a city that straddles two continents. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) has proven itself through efficiency with a growing list of routes with various carriers. While the airport is a hub for Pegasus Airlines, there are a number of other carriers that serve the airport, and are making the most of virtual interlining through this perfectly positioned airport.

### Milan Malpensa (MXP)

Another Italian airport, which is the busiest in Northern Italy, has an extensive domestic, and international network. It is the base of several large European low-cost carriers and has worked to develop solutions to support an increase of virtual interlining passengers.

### Kuala Lumpur International (KUL)

The home of AirAsia, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), sometimes referred to as KLIA, is the biggest virtual interlining hub located in Southeast Asia. It's appeal for virtual interlining is hinged on the success of [AirAsia](https://simpleflying.com/tag/airasia/), the largest low-cost-carrier in the Asian continent. The airport, supports a range of carriers, with growth opportunities outside of self-connecting traffic.

![AirAsia Malaysia Kuala Lumpur shutterstock\_2500879935](https://static0.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/airasia-malaysia-kuala-lumpur-shutterstock_2500879935.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=480&h=400&dpr=2)

![Lufthansa\_Italia\_Airbus\_A319-114;\_D-AILI at MXP Milan Malpensa Airport](https://static0.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/lufthansa_italia_airbus_a319-114-_d-aili-mxp-09-07-2011_604bd_-5938123941.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=300&h=273&dpr=2)

### London Gatwick (LGW)

Commonly referred to as London's 'second' airport. [London Gatwick](https://simpleflying.com/tag/london-gatwick-airport/) is the world's busiest single-runway airport and stands out as a leader in efficiency. The airport supports a range of both low-cost and full-service carriers such as Wizz Air, easyJet, and Ryanair, alongside Emirates, Qatar, and Turkish Airlines. The airport's strategic location, makes it the perfect player in virtual interlining.

### Madrid Barajas (MAD)

The Spanish capital is an important link between the European continent and Latin America. The airport's range of international carriers and the presence of low-cost carriers mean that enhanced passenger connectivity is vital. The airport's current interline agreements and virtual interlining airlines make itineraries between Spanish-speaking countries easy.

![A Ryanair Boeing 737-800 flying in the sky.](https://static0.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ryanair-boeing-737-800-departing-barcelona-el-prat-international-airport-bcn.jpeg?q=49&fit=crop&w=480&h=400&dpr=2)

![An easyJet Airbus A319 flying in the sky.](https://static0.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/easyjet-airbus-a319-on-approach-at-barcelona-el-prat-international-airport-bcn.jpeg?q=49&fit=crop&w=300&h=273&dpr=2)

### Barcelona El Prat (BCN)

Attracting tourists for decades, Barelona is a key gateway to Spain. The airport has a growing network of short—and long-haul flights, and given the airport's strong presence of low-cost carriers, including [Vueling](https://simpleflying.com/tag/vueling/), means many travelers arrive and depart from here.

## Taking to the skies through virtual interlining, and interline agreements

Enabling partnerships between airlines means that the booking of connecting flights is made easier for travelers. This streamlining of travel itineraries, resulting in easier travel experiences, will continue to enable complex itineraries with multiple carriers to be made easier and open up more of the world for those who want to explore.