Half of all UK holidaymakers book indirect flights to save money, according to a survey by a flight comparison website.

Cheapflights.co.uk polled 1,000 leisure travellers to find out what motivates them to book a connecting flight instead of travelling direct to their final destination.

Almost half (49.7%) said that saving money was the primary reason for taking an indirect flight, while 7% chose a connection because of a better departure or arrival time.

Francesca Ecsery (pictured), global sales director at Cheapflights, said: “We’ve long known the British public has a nose for sniffing out great deals but these figures show the shrewdness of travellers.

“With around half of those surveyed choosing their flights based on the cheapest one available, they’re freeing up money for other elements of their holiday such as a nicer hotel or a special meal at a top restaurant.”

The survey also found that 33% chose a connection over direct flights so they could enjoy a stopover of a few days before completing their journey.

And 11% said they took indirect flights because their preferred airline did not offer direct services.

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