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Saw this story in USA Today “Summer Airfares Double, Triple, Quadruple” and my first reaction was what could they possibly be talking about!
I spend the best part of every day looking over tens of thousands of airfare changes and I certainly had NOT seen this — yes prices are increasing and yes tickets for non-stop flights are garnering a premium (especially those with zero competition) but Double, Triple, Quadruple — (i need a more interactive medium to show my eyes rolling).
Let me run down a few points in the article and show you why I was so confused by the statements.
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- Article states that “six legacy airlines increased airfares this week on routes outside low cost airlines” — not true — there have been no significant system wide airfare increases by legacy airlines in the past two weeks, the last system-wide increase was May 22nd. I can only presume the author was referencing the fact that there have been 16 attempted system wide increases this year (12 successful) along with 23 attempts in 2007 (17 successful).
- Article states, non-stop Detroit-Providence roundtrip travel in July is $595 — up 365% — not true — Northwest Airlines has the only non-stops (no competition) and Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, non-stop roundtrip 4-night trips in July are priced at $309 – $351 out-the-door (including the $21 in fees not mentioned on the noted fare). Departures Sun, Mon, Tue (non-stop 4 nights in July) are from $309-485 out-the-door (sample screen shot from nwa.com below)
- A couple of the other examples of the prices listed in the article can be found at much cheaper non-stop prices and even cheaper connecting flights.
- Article states: US Airways Philadelphia to San Diego: $780 (non-stop roundtrip in July)(usairways.com)
- I could go on but what is the point?
Airlines are hurting — just turn on any TV or open any newspaper — Again, airfares are going up (mostly due to fuel increases) and yes, non-stops are at a premium — all valid points for any article.
But extrapolating a few cherry picked routes with little or no competition is hardly a basis for a sweeping headline that might keep consumers from even shopping for summer air travel.
If you really want to see high prices …
Let’s NOT take any plane trips this summer because USA Today “says” prices are out of reach, forcing airlines to cut even more capacity, that’s when airline ticket prices will be double, triple, quadruple.
Right on Rick,
Airfares are making big news, which equals big money, for mainstream media. Therein they have to keep pumping it up ad nauseum.
To Hawaii, airfares this summer vs. last summer are up about 10-15%, which isn’t unexpected or exorbitant. As for after the 3rd week in August, we all saw (and hopefully bought) those incredible deals between the mainland and Hawaii just one week ago.
Aloha, Jeff
http://beatofhawaii.com
Rick, you make some good points. Apparently, USA Today doesn’t understand the concept of “advance purchase requirement.” By the same token, keep in mind that when you comment/constructively criticize airfare increases, carriers are simply following the laws of supply and demand. If a carrier isn’t getting enough people to book on a route, they will lower the price.
Unfortunately, you also have shortsightedness out there. Hence when you saw AirTran launch an increase and file a sale in the same day a couple weeks ago. Talk about wanting it both ways.
Joe, You must not read my blog all the time, because the main focus is airfares and documenting the unprecedented run up in prices over the past year — to the chagrin of many who say I am too negative — airlines do what any other business that has a product in demand — they price it to the edge of what the market will bear and sometimes beyond (like the launch of the IPhone) — on the flipside they will deeply discount when demand wanes. IMHO this article goes over the line to scare people that summer travel is out of reach when it just isn’t so (for some yes, in smaller cities or cities with no low cost airline or decent competition) but the vast majority can enjoy air travel this summer (well at least once they get to their destination as almost 1 in 3 flights last summer were delayed or cancelled) at a fair price — given the cost of fuel. For example, July travel to/from Florida is super cheap this summer from most of Northeast (hurricane jitters and heat), — there are tons of deals to be had if your are flexible and don’t continue to procrastinate. Yes AirTran is a bit chaotic with weekly sales which are really there base prices — I have documented this behavior several times in the past year.
Jeff, getting a good price on an airline ticket is becoming more of a chore, but it can be done — as you note the deals to Hawaii that I hope everyone got to partake in for late August a couple of weeks ago are just one of the many examples of savvy air travel shopping and how people can save money in trying economic and energy price times — Mahalo
I agree it is costing more to travel this year, but if you research and willing to be flexible on dates and locations you can find some pretty good deals. I have been working on Christmas Holiday flights and seen some good deals go by that I missed. I hope there will be some more. Is it too early to get tickets now you think Rick?
Dear Rick: Thnks for the valuable information for those of us who travel by air frequently.