Finding the most economical airfare with a specified maximum number of layovers is a common objective for travelers. For example, a traveler might seek the lowest-cost route from New York to London with no more than one layover (k=1). This involves searching across various airlines and itineraries, considering factors like flight duration, layover times, and baggage fees, to ultimately identify the optimal combination of price and convenience.
Locating such fares empowers travelers to manage budgets effectively and potentially explore destinations otherwise inaccessible due to cost constraints. Historically, this process was laborious, often involving travel agents and extensive manual searches. The advent of online travel agencies and metasearch engines has revolutionized this process, allowing travelers to quickly compare numerous options and identify cost-effective itineraries. This increased access to information has fostered competition among airlines, further driving down prices and expanding travel possibilities for a wider audience.
