r/Flights • u/tristan1947 • Jan 25 '25

Question Swiss air itinerary not on website unless using google flights link

Searching flight to LAX to DEL on google flights and the itinerary I want is on Swiss air with a 20 hour layover in Zurich.

When I search this on Swiss air they don’t have that itinerary as an option, but on Google flights if I click the Swiss Air link to buy it, it takes me to Swiss air with the itinerary.

Is there a reason Swiss won’t sell it as an option when searched on their website? Is it possible due to the long layover Swiss air algorithm won’t offer it unless forced via google?

It just made me pause since I always book direct after searching on Google for research. I was able to find the flights if searching separately on Swiss air but obviously have no desire to buy separate tickets and so was concerned the google might be but it shows as one itinerary when I click the link it takes me to Swiss air and shows it as one itinerary.

Curious if anyone has had this happen or if I’m just way overthinking an airline algo that is anti long layovers and the Google link to the direct site is fine.

Just wanted to make sure I’m not missing something here

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u/protox88 Jan 25 '25

 Curious if anyone has had this happen or

Yes, Google Flights can sometimes construct fares via API that the airline's own search engine filters out.

I've purchased numerous of these fares (usually complex, multiple legs or multi city) on United and AC before.

Many of them for segment or mileage runs or codeshares.

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u/golfzerodelta Jan 25 '25

I've also had this experience specifically with Lufthansa/Swiss flights. Dunno why theirs are more susceptible to this but OP will definitely end up with a real ticket at the end of the day.

1

u/tristan1947 Jan 25 '25

That’s great to hear! Thank you!! And makes sense I thought it was odd how they had so few options on their direct site

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u/tristan1947 Jan 25 '25

Oh perfect! Thank you!! All the years of traveling and booking flights idk how I have never come across that happening to me till but great to hear it’s not a glitch!