What is a one-way flight?

A one-way flight is a type of ticket that allows you to travel from your departure airport to your destination without including a return trip. Unlike round-trip tickets, which cover both the outbound and return flights in a single booking, a one-way flight focuses solely on getting you to your destination. If you want to be flexible on when you return or simply intend to stay in your destination, then a one-way ticket is more cost-effective than a return.

Is it cheaper to buy a one-way or return ticket?

Generally, whether one-way or return airfare is cheaper depends on several factors, such as your destination, which airline you’re flying with, and when you purchase the tickets. It used to be the case that a return trip purchase was the standard, but with budget airlines and increased competition, that is not always the case now. For domestic flights or short-haul trips, one-way tickets can often provide better deals, especially if you're booking with low-cost carriers. On the other hand, for international or long-haul flights, return tickets are still usually more economical. One method for potentially getting cheaper deals by booking two one-way tickets is by booking those tickets with two different airlines – commonly known as a ‘hacker fare’.

Which airlines offer one-way tickets?

Almost all airlines will offer one-way tickets, especially the budget airlines that fly shorter routes. Among KAYAK users, the most popular airlines for one-way tickets are Air New Zealand and Malaysia Airlines, with 43% and 23% of bookings being for one-way airfare. One thing to bear in mind is that some destinations with stricter visa rules may require proof of onward travel and that this often falls on the airline to verify. That means that whilst your airline of choice does offer one-way tickets, you should be aware that, depending on your destination, proof of onward travel may be required, especially for international destinations.

What are the cheapest domestic destinations for one-way airfare?

Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest domestic destinations to fly one-way in the last 2 weeks were Wellington from Auckland at $63; Christchurch from Auckland at $65; and Auckland from Wellington at $68.

What are the cheapest international destinations to fly to one-way?

It is possible to get cheap tickets one-way to international destinations too. KAYAK data shows that the cheapest international destinations booked on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks were from Hamilton to Sydney at $157; Auckland to Maroochydore at $166, and Wellington to Nadi at $186.

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