Florida flying question!!

[TSI_Fan]

I know this is atypical for the Transportation board, but I figured some travel experts could add their two cents in: why is it more expensive to fly out of Florida (like Tampa) to other cities than it is to fly into Florida? I would figure more people flying into florida..why not capitalize on it...but for those of us who live in florida and want to fly elsewhere..it costs an arm and a leg! (not to mention having to fly to some crazy destinations for a connecting flight...like Tampa - Raleigh via Houston, Detroit, or Newark!)

Any ideas?
(mods: don't flame me!)

 

[travelcoupons]

Generally the same fares apply with either starting point. But sometimes, like you say, it is more expensive to fly out of Florida. Only reason I can see is, most Florida cities are considered leasure destinations for the most part, so the leasure traveller is generally cost conscious and will 'wait' for a sale, so the fares are competitive, especially since many carriers serve the same destinations.
Travel 'out' of Florida is often to areas where 'business' travellers frequent and are willing to pay higher fares to get the flights and times they want. I'm sure the carriers are also trying to make some profit to offset the lower fares into florida.

Time of year can also make a difference. Lots of factors come into play. I have seen where you could get low fares when leaving Daytona Beach before the Daytona 500 and coming back right after. (Empty planes to fill.)
Same thing applies when the Super Bowl is in Florida.

 

[TravelSheryl]

It's not uncommon for circuitous routes like Tampa to Raleigh via Houston, Newark or Detroit to cost more than a more direct routing if the route is served by a low fare carrier, which this route is. Why would you fly via one of those cities when both Midway and Southwest fly the route non-stop?

With rare exception, a single route has a single price. In other words, it makes no difference from which city you originate. Could you give some examples where flying from Tampa to a particular city is more expensive than flying from that city to Tampa?

 

[TSI_Fan]

That's exactly why I flew Southwest! Direct non-stop flight! Some airlines wanted over $1000 for a flight from Tampa to Raleigh. I caught Southwest during a good sale and got a roundtrip ticket for $87! It just seems odd that many people can get good deals to fly into florida, but I can hardly find a good deal flying out of florida.