Why so expensive?!
#16
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Why so expensive?!
What I'd be interested in knowing, is how much it actually costs to fly from, say LHR to JFK. We know what the airlines charge, but that's not the same thing. The fares fluctuate... so does that mean the airline is losing money when the fares go down or are on special? I don't think so. There's profit, and then there's more profit.
Ian
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 232
Re: Why so expensive?!
Yield management Ian. All tickets are not sold at the same price. There are a myriad of fare classes. Using historical and other data the airlines in effect take their best guess at how much they can squeeze out of people for each seat as seat availability changes. Hence the wild differences in the amount people pay for the same flight. Of course the self loading freight (passengers) are only a part of the equation as mail and other cargo makes a larger contribution to covering the operational cost.
Ryan air has lottery tickets and have made a huge profit whilst BA remain in a heavy loss situation. Perhaps we should collectievly buy an airbus remove a few seats to install a casino and allow people to fly for free. We may be on to something!
Ryan air has lottery tickets and have made a huge profit whilst BA remain in a heavy loss situation. Perhaps we should collectievly buy an airbus remove a few seats to install a casino and allow people to fly for free. We may be on to something!
#19
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Why so expensive?!
Despite its grand sounding name of Sky Harbor International, there are very few international flights. Loads of domestic ones, though.
An oldie...but still amusing and true for ya.
http://blog.ivman.com/if-airlines-sold-paint/
An oldie...but still amusing and true for ya.
http://blog.ivman.com/if-airlines-sold-paint/
#20
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Why so expensive?!
Divide the fare by the miles flown and you will realize the price per mile is pretty damn cheap, try finding any other method of transportation as cheap per mile as flying generally is.
For that date I get a fare of roughly 1,300 USD for a one way ticket, that comes to roughly 25 cents per mile for London to Phoenix.
Buy a round trip if its cheaper and simply dont use the return.
Try making a connection in Los Angeles or another city with good competition from London, BA has a monopoly on the London-Phoenix route and fares typically are higher on these types of routes.
For that date I get a fare of roughly 1,300 USD for a one way ticket, that comes to roughly 25 cents per mile for London to Phoenix.
Buy a round trip if its cheaper and simply dont use the return.
Try making a connection in Los Angeles or another city with good competition from London, BA has a monopoly on the London-Phoenix route and fares typically are higher on these types of routes.
#21
Re: Why so expensive?!
Hi everyone
I've just been looking at flights for when I move out to Phoenix, with a provisional date for September 4th (no interview date yet so I can't actually book anything yet). I looked on the BA website (I'm loathe to book with them because of all the striking, but it's the only direct flight from the UK to Phoenix) - anyway, a one-way ticket is about £900 but if I were to book a return (which I don't need) it would be less than £600. I then looked at the US Airways website which quoted about £560 for a return ticket and £1050 for a one-way trip! What the hell?! Obviously if it's gonna be so expensive to get a one-way ticket, I'll just end up booking a return which I'm not going to use, but I just wondered if anyone knew why they charge so much for a single ticket?
It seems ridiculous that they penalize people for only travelling one way!
I've just been looking at flights for when I move out to Phoenix, with a provisional date for September 4th (no interview date yet so I can't actually book anything yet). I looked on the BA website (I'm loathe to book with them because of all the striking, but it's the only direct flight from the UK to Phoenix) - anyway, a one-way ticket is about £900 but if I were to book a return (which I don't need) it would be less than £600. I then looked at the US Airways website which quoted about £560 for a return ticket and £1050 for a one-way trip! What the hell?! Obviously if it's gonna be so expensive to get a one-way ticket, I'll just end up booking a return which I'm not going to use, but I just wondered if anyone knew why they charge so much for a single ticket?
It seems ridiculous that they penalize people for only travelling one way!
#22
Re: Why so expensive?!
As everyone seems to agree, pricing of airline tix is one of the more mysterious elements of our society.
I think we first need to consider 'unrestricted' vs 'restricted' tickets. If you wanted to buy a ticket, and be allowed to change BOTH the outbound date and the return date, on a whim, at the last minute, with a pretty decent guarantee of a seat, then you need to pay a fortune.
I just went to BA's UK site and entered Sept 15->Oct 15, round trip, with ability to change ("Flexible Conditions") - #1,720. Then I entered Sept 15, one way only, 'Flexible Conditions" - #898 - half the price.
So unrestricted fares are both highly priced, and 'logical' in that round-trips cost twice the one-way fare.
Now, take off the 'flexible conditions' requirement; the round trip now falls to #578. They are giving you a huge discount because they are 'nailing you down' to a very specific pair of flights, which allows them to plan accordingly.
Now, removing the 'flexible conditions' req. from the one-way has no corresponding affect. I suspect they've concluded there is no value in offering discounts on one-way tickets.
People flying on business often do need the flexibility offered by full-fare tickets. That's what this game is all about - charging business people (with deep pockets and a 'need' for flexibility) a high price while still filling remaining seats with tourists/others who wouldn't ever pay the full fare. Same goes for hotels ...
How many people actually buy a one-way ticket ... anyone know the stats? And does anyone know of anyone being 'penalized' in any meaningful way by not flying the second leg of a RT purchase?
I think we first need to consider 'unrestricted' vs 'restricted' tickets. If you wanted to buy a ticket, and be allowed to change BOTH the outbound date and the return date, on a whim, at the last minute, with a pretty decent guarantee of a seat, then you need to pay a fortune.
I just went to BA's UK site and entered Sept 15->Oct 15, round trip, with ability to change ("Flexible Conditions") - #1,720. Then I entered Sept 15, one way only, 'Flexible Conditions" - #898 - half the price.
So unrestricted fares are both highly priced, and 'logical' in that round-trips cost twice the one-way fare.
Now, take off the 'flexible conditions' requirement; the round trip now falls to #578. They are giving you a huge discount because they are 'nailing you down' to a very specific pair of flights, which allows them to plan accordingly.
Now, removing the 'flexible conditions' req. from the one-way has no corresponding affect. I suspect they've concluded there is no value in offering discounts on one-way tickets.
People flying on business often do need the flexibility offered by full-fare tickets. That's what this game is all about - charging business people (with deep pockets and a 'need' for flexibility) a high price while still filling remaining seats with tourists/others who wouldn't ever pay the full fare. Same goes for hotels ...
How many people actually buy a one-way ticket ... anyone know the stats? And does anyone know of anyone being 'penalized' in any meaningful way by not flying the second leg of a RT purchase?
Last edited by Steerpike; Jun 19th 2010 at 10:26 pm.
#24
Re: Why so expensive?!
People flying on business often do need the flexibility offered by full-fare tickets. That's what this game is all about - charging business people (with deep pockets and a 'need' for flexibility) a high price while still filling remaining seats with tourists/others who wouldn't ever pay the full fare. Same goes for hotels ...
How many people actually buy a one-way ticket ... anyone know the stats? And does anyone know of anyone being 'penalized' in any meaningful way by not flying the second leg of a RT purchase?
How many people actually buy a one-way ticket ... anyone know the stats? And does anyone know of anyone being 'penalized' in any meaningful way by not flying the second leg of a RT purchase?
Regarding not using the second half of return tickets, I had a feeling that if you did it too much the airline would notice somehow tracking your frequent flier number I guess and would get uppity.
Forgot to say: I have given up booking my trip back to MAN from PHX. Will wait until the fares go down.
Last edited by sir_eccles; Jun 20th 2010 at 12:39 am. Reason: Typos and shit
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 179
Re: Why so expensive?!
I did the same check for one-way tickets and was equally amazed at the price from all the airlines. Then, checked via frequent flyer points and was pleased to see that they only use half the points needed for a return to get a one-way ticket.
So, if you've got any points this may be a handy option.
So, if you've got any points this may be a handy option.
#26
Re: Why so expensive?!
I did the same check for one-way tickets and was equally amazed at the price from all the airlines. Then, checked via frequent flyer points and was pleased to see that they only use half the points needed for a return to get a one-way ticket.
So, if you've got any points this may be a handy option.
So, if you've got any points this may be a handy option.
Also another crappy thing with BA (since this is who were were talking about originally) is that the taxes & fees they charge for bookings made with miles are very high compared with, say, American Airlines. And while you can spend BA miles on AA flights, for example, one exception is that they won't let you do it on trans-Atlantic crossings. YMMV (literally!) with other airlines, of course.
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 232
Re: Why so expensive?!
I believe this statement holds true for some airlines, but not all - so always worth checking.
Also another crappy thing with BA (since this is who were were talking about originally) is that the taxes & fees they charge for bookings made with miles are very high compared with, say, American Airlines. And while you can spend BA miles on AA flights, for example, one exception is that they won't let you do it on trans-Atlantic crossings. YMMV (literally!) with other airlines, of course.
Also another crappy thing with BA (since this is who were were talking about originally) is that the taxes & fees they charge for bookings made with miles are very high compared with, say, American Airlines. And while you can spend BA miles on AA flights, for example, one exception is that they won't let you do it on trans-Atlantic crossings. YMMV (literally!) with other airlines, of course.
#28
Re: Why so expensive?!
Phoenix approves airline incentives for more international flights
http://www.azcentral.com/community/p...l-flights.html
#29
Re: Why so expensive?!
Given the increase in Taxes later this year. A flight to Dublin/Shannon followed by a lo cost flight to the UK on a separate PNR is now a very attractive option for the cost conscious traveller. You get the added advantage of full Immigration and Customs pre clearance. Things that make you hmmmm is the government trying to kill off the British Aviation industry? It makes little snese for people to use LHR as an O and D hub for long haul travel.
Actually we were considering flying this way next summer, but to fly back to SFO from Dublin the flight leaves at 9am so it would involve a Hotel stay, it may still be worth it.
#30
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: Why so expensive?!
Also it should be noted that each segment has to be flown sequentially otherwise the remaining segments will be considered cancelled. So, if for example, you had a MAN-ORD, ORD-SFO, SFO-ORD, and ORD-MAN ticket (all on the same PNR) and you skipped the SFO-ORD flight by taking the train instead then the ORD-MAN segment would be cancelled automatically. Exceptions may apply for the more flexible (expensive) fare classes.