Truth-Hierarchy Evaluation Methodology
How RIASTRIP Compare audits 2–3 flight options using deterministic rules, explicit assumptions, and verified facts — never synthetic scores or fabricated probabilities.
The RIASTRIP Truth Hierarchy
Every attribute in a comparison is classified into one of four immutable states. We never substitute missing data with zero or an invented estimate.
Directly supplied by the traveler or extracted from verified airline reservation text (e.g. flight numbers, scheduled local departure/arrival times, operating carriers).
Calculated via mathematical and logical rules (e.g. self-transfer risk, layover duration buffer, terminal changes, overnight red-eye rollover).
Estimates bound to explicit, versioned assumptions (e.g. plausible baggage fees, inter-terminal transit costs). Always tagged with their heuristic source.
If baggage rules, protection status, or exact airport terminals cannot be verified, they remain explicitly flagged as UNKNOWN without guesswork.
The 5 Evaluation Dimensions
1. Connection & Transfer Friction (LOW / MODERATE / HIGH / SEVERE / UNKNOWN)
Flags short layovers using general 60- and 90-minute planning thresholds, stated terminal changes, airport changes and ticket protection. Airport-local dates are converted using IANA timezones. These thresholds are not airline minimum connection times or probabilities of a missed flight.
2. Schedule Strain Indicators (LOW / MODERATE / HIGH / SEVERE)
Combines per-leg flight duration, known layover time and traveler-confirmed red-eye flags. A flight crossing a calendar day is not automatically treated as a red-eye. Personal fatigue and medical outcomes are not predicted.
3. Plausible Additional-Cost Range
Adds traveler-supplied extra costs in the ticket currency. USD planning allowances may cover checked baggage, airport changes, optional overnight stays and meals; they are disclosed estimates. No exchange rate is invented. Unknown required fees prevent a complete planning total. Provider hotel search returns advertised property rates that require room and tax confirmation.
4. Arrival-Day Usability
Uses scheduled local arrival time to indicate the remaining daytime window. Airport exit, onward transport, hotel check-in and rest needs are not predicted. A required arrival deadline is checked in the destination timezone.
5. Traveler Preference Sensitivity
Applies your price priority, connection tolerance, red-eye and self-transfer preferences, maximum layover, comfort preference and arrival deadline. Equal leading scores, equal prices and equal connection friction produce a tie. Different currencies, routes, departure dates or contradictory times require correction.
- RIASTRIP Compare is an independent pre-booking decision tool operated by RIAS TRIP PRIVATE LIMITED.
- We do not sell airline tickets, issue boarding passes, or act as an accredited travel agency or insurer.
- Data completeness is the share of checked fields present, not a confidence probability. Sandbox quotes are test data. Live search depends on the configured provider account and its inventory.
- Cost ranges are planning allowances; final fares, baggage policies, replacement tickets and hotel totals require seller confirmation.
- Travelers are responsible for verifying passport validity, visa prerequisites, and transit country entry regulations.