You Can Fly Around the World Starting at $3,000. Here’s How.

26.01.2024 - 16:45 / afar.com

Embarking on a yearlong journey around the world is a dream scenario for many travelers. However, the logistics of making it happen can be challenging, not least because of the sheer number of flights you would need to book. One way to make the journey a reality is by purchasing an around-the-world flight ticket.

Here are the basics of what you need to know about around-the-world flights, including which airlines and companies offer them and tips for navigating this travel option.

An around-the-world (often referred to as RTW for “round the world”) ticket allows travelers to hopscotch across the globe and visit multiple destinations on one ticket, usually at a lower cost than individually bought tickets. RTW trips typically need to be in a continuous forward direction, either eastward or westward; for example, an eastward itinerary could include flights from New York to Buenos Aires to Barcelona to Berlin to New Delhi to Bali to Honolulu to New York again.

With RTW tickets, changes are typically allowed, so extending or shortening your stay at each destination doesn’t cost extra. Travelers either choose their own unique itinerary or follow one of the sample itineraries provided.

Consider starting your around-the-world journey in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before crossing the Atlantic to Europe, Asia, and beyond.

Courtesy of Sasha Stories/Unsplash

Around-the-world tickets are typically offered by airline alliance networks and travel agencies—not by single airlines. Both Oneworld Alliance and Star Alliance offer around-the-world flights, but SkyTeam (which includes Delta Air Lines, Air France, and KLM) no longer has an around-the-world program. The rules around the tickets vary based on the provider.

The Oneworld Alliance (which includes U.S. carriers Alaska Airlines and American Airlines as well as international carriers British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qatar, and seven others) offers travelers two options for RTW tickets, including:

There are a few restrictions for each. For one, trips must start and end in the same city within 12 months. Also, travelers need to visit at least three continents and cross both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans in no more than 16 flights, without backtracking (meaning you need to continue in the same direction of travel).
Oneworld RTW prices for itineraries starting stateside begin at roughly $3,500 for an economy ticket to three continents. However, that price climbs to about $7,000 for travelers planning to visit six continents. Those seeking to travel in business or first class should expect rates to start at more than $10,000.

There are few places you can’t get to on a Star Alliance RTW ticket—the network reaches more than 1,300 destinations in 190