What's with the price of airfare

[buzzgirls&dad]

I think my title says it all. We travel from Milwaukee to MCO and for the last few years have been getting a low of $79 to a high of $99 nonstop. Right now I'm looking at $115 for a one stop and $130-145 for nonstop. I'm just in sticker shock. The only thing I didn't check was to see if these prices had all the taxes and fees included but I didn't think any of that took effect for a while. We don't travel until Oct. but usually the prices start coming down after Memorial day for that time period. Airtran's sale this week has the prices higher than last week. I really don't like playing airfare roulette. Any advice or encouragement out there?

 

[PebblesMK]

I think my title says it all. We travel from Milwaukee to MCO and for the last few years have been getting a low of $79 to a high of $99 nonstop. Right now I'm looking at $115 for a one stop and $130-145 for nonstop. I'm just in sticker shock. The only thing I didn't check was to see if these prices had all the taxes and fees included but I didn't think any of that took effect for a while. We don't travel until Oct. but usually the prices start coming down after Memorial day for that time period. Airtran's sale this week has the prices higher than last week. I really don't like playing airfare roulette. Any advice or encouragement out there?

I fly out of Milwaukee too and got good deals last year (not 79 dollars good, but close). Airtran had some good deals two months ago and I didn't jump on it and their prices are now up almost 90 dollars higher. I did look into Southwest and they're prices are good, plus they have free baggage check. And from what somebody told me, if Southwest fares go down, they'll credit your account the difference if you paid more. Have you looked at Rockford IL at their airport? They're small and only fly to MCO on certain days, but they usually only charge about 39 each way, and parking is free there. If you come down 43 toward Beloit and hop on I90, it's only maybe 20 minutes from Beloit. (That is assuming you're coming from the Milwaukee area). Getting a good deal on a flight is important, so hopefully you find a good one. Good luck!

Oh, Rockford's website is www.flyrfd.com

 

[webworm]

I think my title says it all. We travel from Milwaukee to MCO and for the last few years have been getting a low of $79 to a high of $99 nonstop. Right now I'm looking at $115 for a one stop and $130-145 for nonstop. I'm just in sticker shock. The only thing I didn't check was to see if these prices had all the taxes and fees included but I didn't think any of that took effect for a while. We don't travel until Oct. but usually the prices start coming down after Memorial day for that time period. Airtran's sale this week has the prices higher than last week. I really don't like playing airfare roulette. Any advice or encouragement out there?

I do see some mid week nonstop fares for $84.00 one way in October with AirTran. Example leave Tue Oct 12 and return Tue Oct 19th for total of $187.90 including taxes. Southwest also has nonstop flights for $84.00 and you get free checked baggage don't pay for seating.

 

[Brian Noble]

The airlines have been successful at cutting capacity, and travel demand is recovering. Higher fares are the inevitable result. I'm looking for this to continue through at least the end of the year.

 

[Poohbug]

I have flown Allegiant a few times out of Rockford. I love the airport. It is tiny. Your security line will probably have five people in it. Maybe. Parking is great and free. Allegiant planes are plain but they get you from point A to point B.

The downside is they only fly out certain days(depends on the season) and they fly to Sanford. You cannot get ME, transfers will be a little more than MCO. Car rentals, however, are very reasonable and convenient.

The way to get the cheap flights is to avoid all the extra charges. You must go to the ticket counter to purchase tickets. Ticket counters are only open certain times but it will save you money(depending on your drive). Make sure you take off the extra charges like seat selection.

If you want to fly out of MKE, I would keep checking the rates. I think they will go down a little. On my last trip in May, I ended up buying one way flights. We flew down on Midwest and back on Southwest.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The airlines have been successful at cutting capacity, and travel demand is recovering. Higher fares are the inevitable result. I'm looking for this to continue through at least the end of the year.

And it actually is a good thing in the end. Airlines need to be profitable on the long term and that means fares need to go up. Airlines have finally started to reach a point where capacity is meeting demand allowing them to realize a profit.

I do feel bad people became accustomed to fares that were probably well below any profit margin, but at the same time if airlines start going out of business that will be an even worst scenario because it will further reduce capacity.

 

[robinb]

I'm flying out of MKE for $160 (inc taxes) on SWA in August. I had the $25 off coupon mentioned here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2454284 so my airfare was only $72 each way plus taxes. I looked at fares in late October during the WEAC convention and they were all pretty high.