BWIA from NYC

[Joana]

We flew BWIA from NYC to Tobago. They were on-time and easy to deal with. The only negative, they said the flight is direct and it was not. NY-Barbados-Trinidad-Tobago. We were never given the proper itinerary prior to our departure. They do have a direct flight from NYC-Trinidad, but if you get an e-ticket, they do not provide that service.

[Patrick Dankou]

Hi Joana,
I am an old airliner and still have some kerosene in my blood so I would like to use the occasion to inform you about the fine nuances of airline lingo. BWIA are quite correct to call their flight a direct flight because it serves different destinations under one flight number. It will not show on your ticket that you have one or more stops en route.
In airline -( and travel agent) speak a direct flight is any flight with one flight number from one destination to another. You might have 3 stops en route and it is still a direct flight.
Only when it is called a non-stop flight you can expect to reach your destination with one take off and landing. Unfortunately most travel agencies and airlines don't really inform their guests about this unless you ask them. It causes quite a bit of confusion amongst travelers.
The best bet is to ask your travel agen or the airline if your flight is a non stop flight.
Happy landings