Definitions: USA: A Direct Flight is a flight that does not have a change of flight number OR a change of aircraft. However, if the flight number remains the same, a change of aircraft is still considered a direct flight. For example, if flight 1 operates OAK-DEN-STL with a 727 on the OAK-DEN segement and a 707 on the DEN- STL segement, it is considered a direct flight. This is why one flight may have multiple flight numbers. Delta did this a lot. The following should clear this up: Flight 1 ATL-LHR uses a L-1011 Flight 11 IAH-ATL-LHR IAH-ATL is a 727, ATL-LHR is a L-1011 Flight 22 DFW-ATL-LHR DFW-ATL is a DC8, ATL-LHR is a L-1011 Flight 33 BHM-ATL-LHR BHM-ATL is a DC4, ATL-LHR is a L-1011 You'd think DL had 4 flights between ATL and LHR. However, there is only one flight. By numbering the flights as above, it is able to offer "direct" flights from the other 3 cities, even though there is a change of gauge. Rest of World: A Direct Flight is a nonstop flight David R > On 13 Aug 2003 at 2:09, Kurt Reinbold wrote: > > > in advertising, some airlines used to state these as direct flights. > > Direct flights are different than non-stop. most consumers don't think > > to ask the difference between non-stop and direct flights. direct > > flights, you're on the same aircraft, but there is a stop either ORD > > or STL in this case. > > I've been seeing a number of "direct flights" on NW that involve an > aircraft change in MSP. They show up when you look at the flight > detail and see gate changes between the two legs. > > Some are change of gauge, and others are the same type of equipment.