Use comparison sites to search, then book direct with the airline. This hybrid strategy gives you the best of both worlds — Skyscanner or Google Flights for instant price discovery across 50+ airlines, then the full protection and flexibility of a direct booking. Data shows direct bookings receive refunds in 10-14 business days vs 30-60 days through OTAs, and airline customer service prioritises direct bookers during disruptions. The only exception is when an OTA offers a genuinely significant discount of EUR 30+ on a non-refundable fare — but weigh that saving against the reduced flexibility and slower customer support you'll receive if anything changes. For connecting flights, always book direct — OTAs like Kiwi.com book separate tickets on different airlines, leaving you completely unprotected if the first flight is delayed (no rebooking, no compensation, no duty of care). For business travellers, direct booking is non-negotiable: full frequent flyer mile accrual (often 50% more than OTA bookings), elite status qualification, and priority rebooking during irregular operations. For flexible leisure travellers on popular point-to-point routes, an OTA with free cancellation can occasionally save EUR 20-40 with minimal downside.
A 2025 Skyscanner analysis of 10 million flight searches found that OTAs offered lower fares than airline direct pricing on only 18% of European routes, with average savings of just EUR 12-15 when they did. Meanwhile, a Booking.com survey found that 62% of travellers who booked through OTAs experienced slower refund processing (averaging 45 days vs 14 days direct). The real trade-off is clear: comparison sites are invaluable for price discovery across dozens of airlines, but booking direct protects you with faster support and full loyalty benefits.
| Provider | Price | Flexibility | Customer Support | Booking Experience | Loyalty Benefits | Peace of Mind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booking Direct (Airline Website) | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Comparison Sites/OTAs (Skyscanner, Kayak, Kiwi, Expedia) | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
Scores are based on our hands-on testing, user reviews, and price monitoring across multiple European countries.
Use comparison sites to search, then book direct with the airline. This hybrid strategy gives you the best of both worlds — Skyscanner or Google Flights for instant price discovery across 50+ airlines, then the full protection and flexibility of a direct booking. Data shows direct bookings receive refunds in 10-14 business days vs 30-60 days through OTAs, and airline customer service prioritises direct bookers during disruptions. The only exception is when an OTA offers a genuinely significant discount of EUR 30+ on a non-refundable fare — but weigh that saving against the reduced flexibility and slower customer support you'll receive if anything changes. For connecting flights, always book direct — OTAs like Kiwi.com book separate tickets on different airlines, leaving you completely unprotected if the first flight is delayed (no rebooking, no compensation, no duty of care). For business travellers, direct booking is non-negotiable: full frequent flyer mile accrual (often 50% more than OTA bookings), elite status qualification, and priority rebooking during irregular operations. For flexible leisure travellers on popular point-to-point routes, an OTA with free cancellation can occasionally save EUR 20-40 with minimal downside.
Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-27.
The best strategy is to search on comparison sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights for price discovery, then book directly on the airline's website. Direct booking gives you full customer service, easier changes, and full frequent flyer miles, while comparison sites help you find the cheapest option across all airlines.
OTAs occasionally offer fares 5-15% below airline direct pricing, but the savings come with reduced flexibility, slower customer support, and potential issues with changes and refunds. Most airlines also offer price-match guarantees. A EUR 30+ saving on an OTA may be worth it, but smaller differences rarely justify the downsides.
Yes. Some OTAs (particularly Kiwi and eSky) book separate tickets on different airlines for connections. If your first flight is delayed, you have no protection on the second flight and could be stranded. For any connecting itinerary, always book directly with one airline or alliance to ensure protection.
It depends on the OTA. Some credit miles at reduced rates, while others don't credit miles at all. Booking directly with the airline guarantees full frequent flyer mile accrual. If you're working toward elite status or a specific award, always book direct.
You're entitled to the same EU261 compensation rights regardless of where you booked, but the practical experience differs significantly. With a direct booking, the airline rebooks you immediately and processes refunds in 10-14 days. With an OTA booking, you may need to contact both the OTA and airline, refunds are routed through the OTA (averaging 30-60 days), and rebooking options may be more limited. During major disruptions, airline staff at the gate prioritise direct bookers.
Google Flights and Skyscanner are generally accurate for final prices including taxes and basic fees. However, some OTAs display attractively low base fares that increase at checkout when payment processing fees (EUR 5-15), seat selection, and baggage are added. Always click through to the final payment page before comparing. Budget airline fares on comparison sites may not include cabin baggage, which adds EUR 15-35 per flight on Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Both are excellent but serve slightly different purposes. Google Flights excels at date flexibility (the price calendar is superb), direct airline links, and price tracking with email alerts. Skyscanner is better for finding the absolute cheapest fares, offers an 'Everywhere' search for flexible destinations, and includes more OTA options. The optimal approach is to check both — Google Flights for date flexibility analysis, then Skyscanner's 'Everywhere' search if your destination is flexible.
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