Quick Facts
- Type
- Network Model
- Definition
- An airline network model where flights radiate from central hub airports, con...
- Used By
- Airlines
Definition#
Hub-and-spoke is a network design where an airline concentrates flights through one or more hub airports. Passengers travel from their origin (spoke) to the hub, connect, and then fly from the hub to their destination (spoke).
Why It Matters Operationally#
Hub-and-spoke networks maximize the number of city-pair connections with fewer flights than point-to-point. However, they concentrate traffic, making hub airports vulnerable to weather delays and cascading disruptions.
Related Guides#
- Hub-and-Spoke vs Point-to-Point
- Airline Alliances Explained
- How Airlines Make Money
- Airport Operations 101
- Flight Delays & Cancellations Explained
Related Terms#
See Also
Used in
- Hub-and-Spoke vs Point-to-Pointguide
- Airline Economics Metricsdirectory
- Codeshare Flights Explainedguide
- How Airlines and Airports Work — The Complete Operational Guideguide
- How Airlines Make Moneyguide
- Flight Delays & Cancellations Explainedguide
- Airline Alliances Explainedguide
- Airport Operations 101guide