What is Going on with American Airlines?

[aubriee]

Knowing I had to buy my airline ticket for May and knowing I would be flying out of Dallas, (which unfortunately never gets good fares) I started watching fares as soon as I got back from my January trip. Fares usually ran around $210.90 and I had planned to wait until around 45 days out when they usually go down, however with gas prices going up and the fares bouncing around so much ($210.90-$240.90) I went ahead and bought my ticket about six weeks ago at $220.90, but out of curiosity kept checking the prices. They would usually go down a little on Tuesday nights after midnight, then back up within a day or two. The last 1 1/2 weeks they've been consistently $240.90, but then Monday night after midnight they jumped to $290.90 which is the highest I've ever seen them. Last night right after midnight they jumped to $370.90 for the same round trip flight that I am on May 13th and May 22nd. Eek that's $150.00 more than I paid for my ticket 1 1/2 months ago and an $80.00 jump overnight. Delta no longer flies nonstop out of Dallas and the only airline that does now is Airtran. Airtran doesn't have as good as times, but are just $230.90 for nonstop r/t ($140.00/ticket cheaper than American?). What is american airlines thinking? When I go back in December it looks like I may be flying Airtran or else Delta and then stopping over in Atlanta!

 

[CarolA]

Maybe AA is thinking "I can't afford to fly you for $220" LOL! the truth is that AA like most majors is losing money. At some point common sense has to break out.... you either sell at a price you can make money on or you go out of business.

 

[KathyTX]

AA has December flights from DFW listed at $245 now.

 

[aubriee]

AA has December flights from DFW listed at $245 now.

Thanks, but unfortunately I can't afford to buy my December ticket yet. I'm flying to WDW next month, then driving back in late Sept/early Oct to take D-I-L and son (D-I-L refuses to fly), then will be flying solo again in December. Next month's trip is paid for except for food and souveneirs (which I have the money for), but I still have to pay for the fall and winter trips.

I just couldn't believe the American flights went up so much, so quickly (from $240.90 to $370.90 in less than a week).

 

[Pluto2003]

over American to MCO from Dallas because of price. With the airfares prices now, I am staying home

 

[SC1217]

DFW to MCO $105 Roundtrip on United - just released.

 

[aubriee]

DFW to MCO $105 Roundtrip on United - just released.

What am I doing wrong? I just went to United's site and for departing May 13 and returning May 22nd I got $562.30/person and for departing Dec 9 and returning Dec 18th I got $312.30/person. How do I find the $105 r/t and is this nonstop? I'd gladly book that now for Dec. Thanks!

 

[tinan]

But I am guessing the huge spike increase is because now you are in the less than a month away time frame. I know that airlines keep hiking their rate as the time gets closer. I think one month out is the 1st spike and then by the weeks and forget buying a ticket a day or two in advance.

Last year when dh and I was in Puerto Rico for his work they extended him by a few days. I decided to stay with him and called to exchange the ticket. The first ticket that the lady wanted to give me was about $1500 more. When I explained that I just could not afford that price difference and to please look for another flight, she found one that would be -$20 so a total of $80 with the change fee. Much better and the flight times were only a few hours different.

 

[SC1217]

If you go to travelocity and use their fare search it will show you a calendar that the days are good for. From what I can see, there are not very many days available though.

 

[CarolA]

I think you have waited awfully late for a Mid may ticket. Basically at about 28 days the airfares tend to rise and are NOT as likely to come back down. They are hoping folks like me traveling for business will buy those tickets at the high prices (and we do)

 

[wdwstar]

here in chicago we dont have much choice since ATA and southwest merged and southwest wont let ATA fly chgo to orlando. and i am not going to be part of the cattle group. so we either have to fly delta with stops or AA, United. so we booked our dec. tickets already with AA, first they were 200.00, then 207.00 then in two days they went up 210, i booked, now they are 217. and i have not checked today. i did call for the same flight but leaving on the first plane out the flight was 340.00 plus 50.00 to change each ticket. forget it. ill take what i purchased and fly the second flight out.

 

[wdwstar]

just check my flight it is now 264.00 a ticket and the funny part is if you want to fly in the evening on AA my dates are still cheap 217.00 but not the morning flights.