This concept refers to the practice of purchasing individual travel documents for the same journey, often for different legs of a trip or for different members of a group. For instance, one might purchase a flight from New York to London separately from a connecting flight from London to Rome, or a family might buy four individual airline tickets rather than a single group booking.
This approach can offer several advantages. It may provide access to a wider range of fares and availability, particularly when dealing with different airlines or booking classes. It can also provide greater flexibility should changes be necessary, as modifications can be made to individual segments without affecting the entire itinerary. Historically, this practice became more prevalent with the rise of online travel agencies and the ability to easily compare and combine offerings from different providers.