What characterizes a direct flight?

A direct flight is defined as a flight that originates from one airport and ends at another airport with one or more scheduled stops along the way, without requiring passengers to change aircraft. This means passengers can remain in their seats throughout the journey, even though the plane may land and take on or drop off passengers at intermediate airports.

This option correctly captures the nature of a direct flight as it does not imply continuity on a single aircraft but highlights the scheduled stops that do not necessitate a change of planes. In contrast, a flight that makes only one stop would more accurately refer to a non-stop same-plane service but does not encompass all the potential characteristics of a direct flight. Therefore, it is important to differentiate between direct flights and those that are non-stop or those that require changing aircraft, as these terms convey different experiences in air travel.