Why are flights SO expensive?

[ChisJo]

I'm just wondering if anyone else has noticed that the cost of flights are seeming to be a little pricier than before? Last year, we got to Orlando from edmonton for $425 return.....I have never paid over $550 for a flight from edmonton down there in the 7 times that I've gone. Now, flights are minimal $650 for when I want to go. Given that the price of gas has gone down, and the economy, you would think that the price of a flight would be cheaper to encourage people to travel, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Anyone else seeing this?

 

[OvertheRainbow]

$425, now that would be awesome What airline do you usually fly and when are you going? I've also been pricing out flights from Edmonton to Orlando and can't believe how expensive they are. We're going in early november and are currently looking at minimum $3300 for the four of us $650 actually sounds kinda good to me right now I'm really hoping for a good sale with Westjet cause we just love flying with them

 

[dis_guy]

I hear ya! I've been flying out of Edmonton for 30 years and I have never seen an increase like this one.

In the mid '80s I flew regularly to Toronto and tickets were in the $350 range and we got a meal served.

I recently booked flights to Hamilton on WestJet for about $400. Compare that to what a car cost then and now, a house? Not too bad.

In march of 2008 we got flights to Orlando for $375 per person. The best I could do for Christmas 2009 was around $700. Quite an increase but I don't see how they can make money charging less.

The market for flights to Orlando is comparatively small from Edmonton. I checked out flights from airports in Montana. Surprise, more expensive yet. Calgary? Not much difference for our dates.

So what we do is become obsessive about checking flights all the time. If you see something good, grab it, now. It probably won't last. The chances of seeing a truly low price is small unless you're willing to go at very short notice. The best you can currently do is about $650... leaving tomorrow!

I know we always hear about the cheap Southwest flights from Buffalo that our Ontario friends have access to but try to remember that from Edmonton to Orlando is something like 6+ hours of flying time (through Denver for example).

I guess it is what it is and sadly I don't think we'll see a change in the near future. If anything, as airlines cut back we may have fewer choices than ever before.

 

[ChisJo]

What gets me is that we were considering flying out of Montana, Wyoming, or Idaho (were thinking of going to Yellowstone first) and were thinking that flights would be way cheaper to fly from a US destination to another US destination, and truly, the flights were comparable in cost - only about $50 difference....I don't understand! I know that flights have to make money to survive, and yes, charging adequately for them to keep afloat, however, how do some airlines get away with charging $99 and some charge 3x that? I just don't get it...flights are amazingly high right now....

 

[Disneywedding2010]

I just booked airfare to go to Orlando in July from DFW and Airtran has an awesome sale going on.. 76 dollars each way.. I just paid 358 dollars total for 2 RT tickets..

 

[ChisJo]

I just booked airfare to go to Orlando in July from DFW and Airtran has an awesome sale going on.. 76 dollars each way.. I just paid 358 dollars total for 2 RT tickets..

That's a great deal! Too bad it wasn't a little closer to home....

 

[GrannyEv]

I just booked on Southwest, going in September. For the five of us, flying out of Detroit, it cost $967. It was the best price I could find when I shopped around.

Hugs
GrannyEv

 

[momwholovesdisney]

We flew to Orlando last year from Calgary and I paid just over $1800 for 5 people. I booked my flights in July and we flew in January....if you look far enough in advance you can find some good deals. We flew with NWA

 

[momwholovesdisney]

Where is DFW and what an awesome deal!!!!!

 

[dis_guy]

Where is DFW and what an awesome deal!!!!!

Dallas/Ft. Worth Texas. May as well drive the rest of the way, too.

Frankly I don't know how those airlines that charge so little do it. I read somewhere that Southwest locked in a low prices for fuel for several years and that contract will expire soon.

I guess it all comes down to competition for our dollars. If there's not that much competition then there is no need to have low price. A while ago United had flights from Denver to London UK for $49 each way. rue it was a llimited promotion on a new route, but it was there.

As I always say, when I look into driving; fuel, hotels, food, fatigue, wear and tear (on the car and us), and being there in 7 hours traveling, $600 or $700 doesn't seem quite so bad.

PS Air Canada just released some new fares for travel through Sept 30, flying on Tues, Wed and Thur, for $671.46 everything included, from Edmonton. Free dining anyone?

 

[minnie56]

Like the above Poster, I don't know how they charge so little either?

With Aviation fuel costs and all else factored in..I am the opposite. When the deal is really too cheap- I wonder how? Where else are they cost cutting?

 

[dis_guy]

As a former pilot I have to wonder when I've seen Southwest pilots hanging out of their side windows trying to clean bugs off the windshield. Don't they have line crew? I have never flown SW and have no other knowledge of their operations.

 

[Tantor]

Like the above Poster, I don't know how they charge so little either?

With Aviation fuel costs and all else factored in..I am the opposite. When the deal is really too cheap- I wonder how? Where else are they cost cutting?

We have friends in the aviation business and THEY won't fly from Buffalo. That tells me LOTS