Why are flights so expensive?
- Thread starter nwink
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Edward
Puritanboard Commissioner
Flights to Europe are about half taxes now. Not that bad for domestic flights, but still a major component.
You do understand that airlines now have to price tickets with all taxes added in, rather than quoting just the price of the trip and adding in the taxes later?
Inflated oil prices have also had some impact, but probably not as much as decreased competition.
You do understand that airlines now have to price tickets with all taxes added in, rather than quoting just the price of the trip and adding in the taxes later?
Inflated oil prices have also had some impact, but probably not as much as decreased competition.
Tim
Puritan Board Graduate
What about Ryan Air in Europe? They have flights for as low as 20 GBP, as I recall, perhaps lower.
---------- Post added at 09:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 PM ----------
Even today, they advertise flights for 9.99 GBP. There are fees on top of that for baggage, etc., but it is still possible to walk on a plane in Europe for that sum.
---------- Post added at 09:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 PM ----------
Even today, they advertise flights for 9.99 GBP. There are fees on top of that for baggage, etc., but it is still possible to walk on a plane in Europe for that sum.
O'GodHowGreatThouArt
Puritan Board Sophomore
Time also plays a factor. I had to cancel a planned spring break trip to Austin, TX, as well as Fort Worth, TX because I made a decision back in early January to hold off on buying tickets for two weeks.
Big mistake. The flight costs shot up over $100 the day after I made that decision. Total cost of the trip by air is now sitting at around $500-$600. I had budgeted $300.
The earlier you plan a flight, the better, ESPECIALLY if you're planning to fly internationally. Flight offerings are normally shown at least a year in advance, and that is when you'll probably get the best deals for them.
Big mistake. The flight costs shot up over $100 the day after I made that decision. Total cost of the trip by air is now sitting at around $500-$600. I had budgeted $300.
The earlier you plan a flight, the better, ESPECIALLY if you're planning to fly internationally. Flight offerings are normally shown at least a year in advance, and that is when you'll probably get the best deals for them.
Scottish Lass
Puritan Board Doctor
Bing and other sites will also help you predict whether rates will go up, with decent accuracy.
Tim
Puritan Board Graduate
Thanks for the tip. I didn't know about this. I will add Bing to my travel search engine bookmarks.
Another factor is computers (smile). Airlines' algorithms for maximizing yield on their flights (=full flights make money) have improved to the point where they can change fares day by day or even hour to hour depending on demand. And they have no compunction about canceling flights that aren't full.
My advice is: plan in advance and track fares daily if you can; if you have a choice of airports check them all; if your schedule is flexible use that to your advantage. If you're not tech minded or don't have the time, I still think a travel agent (even with their fees) are invaluable in planning trips.
And if you have small airports, look at those too, there are even airlines that fly limited schedules (not daily flights) that can be bargains, eg. Allegiant Air.
My advice is: plan in advance and track fares daily if you can; if you have a choice of airports check them all; if your schedule is flexible use that to your advantage. If you're not tech minded or don't have the time, I still think a travel agent (even with their fees) are invaluable in planning trips.
And if you have small airports, look at those too, there are even airlines that fly limited schedules (not daily flights) that can be bargains, eg. Allegiant Air.
TexanRose
Puritan Board Sophomore
Not necessarily...I was just pricing flights to Scotland (just dreaming, I'm not going to Scotland any time soon), and the cheapest flights were two weeks out. I guess it would kind of risky to buy tickets just two weeks before a trip, though.
SRoper
Puritan Board Graduate
In the past at least, the cheapest tickets could be found around four to six weeks in advance on average. My understanding is that airlines typically price the initial seats high (why discount seats if you don't need to) and then lower them if the plane is not filling up quickly enough. As the plane starts filling up the ticket prices go back up as desperate passengers are willing to pay more.
All the budget airlines advertise cheap tickets, then add on tax etc. I wouldn't touch Ryan Air. They don't employ enough staff at airports and there have been several incidents of flights leaving with lots of people still in various queues. They also call the city of Londonderry "Derry" which matters a lot to some of us this side of the pond.
I was under the impression that internal flights in the US were pretty cheap. The two months in the US when I retire was partly based on the idea of cheap flights.
Tim
Puritan Board Graduate
I understand. My comment would be that an individual who knows exactly what to expect will be much less likely to be disappointed.
Edward
Puritanboard Commissioner
Transatlantic pricing is seasonal. Tickets will be 1/3 to 1/4 in the winter what they will cost in the summer.
---------- Post added at 09:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------
Look around for specials just available in Europe. Airlines have sharply reduced capacity, and they are able to fill most flights.
My recommendation would be to pick a region - probably the southwest or west coast, and rent a car.
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