MSP Flyers-NWA Story

[mic&min]

Found this story on Kare 11's website. I know we pay more but when you see the total figure as below it is quite shocking.


Two studies show Minnesotans pay extra by traveling from the Northwest Airlines hub in Minneapolis.

One study says in the second quarter of 2004, the cost of traveling to and from the Twin Cities airport was $118 million higher than the average fares for comparable travel at other U.S. airports.

The other study finds that the Twin Cities airport has a larger share of high-price domestic routes than 46 of the top 50 domestic cities — among routes with at least 100 passengers daily each way.

Northwest disputes both analyses. The airline says average fares are misleading if they don't adjust for Minnesota's higher share of business travelers, who pay more for last-minute travel.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

[Fargoman2]

My home airport is FAR and it is seldom a price-friendly option--especially for a family of 5. We are always scanning for a good price out of MSP, but they are hard to find!

In July 2002, we got $188 through Hotwire. Since then, not much good luck. I was hopeful recently when I saw a summer fare for $215--but that has already skyed to $257.

Do you think summer fares will come down out of MSP?

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR TRIP

P.S. Don't know if you like football or not, but wasn't what happened at Lambeau field yesterday simply beautiful? (Except for the Moss celebration, of course.)

 

[zulaya]

It's a fact that we pay more. The comment on business travelers doesn't matter; the leisure traveler is who suffers up here and who is getting the raw deal.

I sure hope the MAC doesn't approve NWA's "plan" to take over the Lindbergh terminal and move everyone else over to HHH. Not that I don't like HHH, but I think the chances of getting competition up here will dwindle to nothing if it happens.

I know I almost scream everytime the east coasters post about $49 one way airfare on Jet Blue or SWA. I wish one of those guys could make a move up here.

 

[DebbieB]

Pittsburgh has always paid higher fares with USAir's dominance. Just recently Air Tran started flying to Orlando and that has brought the fares down. My coworkers and I have to fly to our home office in Hartford pretty often and the fare is close to $700 or $800 on USAir, the only non-stop carrier. The only other options are connections on commuters.

 

[caverill]

Flying from Duluth (and having to go through MSP), I sure know what saying.

American was flying out of Duluth to Chicago, but couldn't get enough business.

When we see ticket prices below $350 from Duluth, we buy right away.

I wish Northwest would get some competition!

BTW, It sure was great to see the Vikes put away the Pack. The Packer fans were pretty quiet at work today.

Now, if they can just surprise Philly with a great effort.

 

[crisi]

The MAC is political appointees, which means calling your state reps and senators and letting them know that you don't care for NWA to have a tighter hold than it already does may work.

The problem being is that they are a big employer and our state government has always played "roll over" whenever they've said "give us....or we will move all operations to Detroit." Personally, for me, its getting to be good riddence.

 

[Kimberle]

Oh, I agree with this one!

I grew up in MN & my family is still there. They always pay high prices to fly out of MSP! When I first moved east, I could fly round trip for $79, now I can barely touch it for under $400! Thank goodness for FF miles! I never "pay" for this flight any more!

 

[scoutsmom99]

I agree too Although I ususally fly Northwest I wish some airlines like SW, Jet blue, etc would open up shop here. The ticket I have for my trip next week isn't too bad at 206.17, but I would love to see what a lot of East Coast Disers are paying. I could go to WDW more often then.

 

[goofeyshell]

Thought it was impossible but it came up a few days after Delta had their big fair drop news. Unfortunately I could only get a voucher for $25 as I paid $50 dollars more per ticket (and thought that was a good deal).

 

[dudspizza]

Thought it was impossible but it came up a few days after Delta had their big fair drop news. Unfortunately I could only get a voucher for $25 as I paid $50 dollars more per ticket (and thought that was a good deal).

I DID! I was a little steamed that NWA actually offered perfect flight times, in my opinion for a total of 190 all included. I went back two days later and the price was back up to 260!

I am flying on Sun Country for about the same 206.10 as another poster. I thought that price was fair and have since seen a couple of fares in the 190's. Anything under 200 at MSP is great.

I have emailed Jet Blue and SWA in the past and both have responded that they have NO plans to come to MSP. What a shame. Maybe Sun Country can get going and become more of a force in this market.

Try this site for good low fare alerts from MSP. www.hubcitymsp.com

Duds