What's the deal with airfare so HIGH?

[northern michigan]

Airfare seems to be at least double what we paid over the Christmas '04 holiday whether I search for a hopeful Easter trip or our planned Thanksgiving trip. This is the case when I search multiple small-mid size airports or even Chicago and Detroit. Anyone else having this problem? Any thoughts as to the prospects for a more reasonable fare in the future? Should I just bag Easter and plan on driving for Thansgiving?

 

[JanaD]

Join the crowd. I live in the Kansas City area and airfare from here (for a potential trip in May) has been staggering. Even Southwest wants $300 roundtrip (which is at least double what I have paid in the past for trips). It appears that the East Coast folks are the only ones who can actually afford (or get a great deal) on the airlines to Orlando these days.

 

[northern michigan]

Airfare deals are so relative. $300 from my hometown is unheard of. We went via $363 at Christmas and $400 three years ago (now $500-700). We got $255 over a year ago in Grand Rapids, a much bigger airport than ours (now $400-500). We're a family of four and would love to fly into MCO for less than $1,500! Otherwise, I think it's a 24 hour drive.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Price of oil. Further increases expected with OPEC cutting production, China increasing consumption.

 

[punkin]

JANAD, I just got my sister tickets for early May from Kansas City to Fort Lauderdale for only $149 on Continental. That was cheaper than Southwest. Try them for your dates to Orlando and see how you do.

 

[Raysplus1]

I am wondering if it is due to Spring Break. I plan on waiting until Spring Break is over before I buy my tickets for our July trip (unless there is a drastic change in price of course).