The way the airlines are raising fares and adding surcharges everywhere, it’s not surprising that people think flying is becoming unaffordable.
In fact, a study done by Travelocity, FareCompare.com and Harrell Associates, at the request of USA Today, shows that summer fares have gone up from 12% all the way up to 200% in some markets.
According to Farecompare.com, a flight from San Francisco to Washington was $580 or $2,320 for four people. That’s an increase of $920 compared to last summer.
But Cheapflights.com says it’s not all doom-and-gloom.
In their analysis, called “travelnomics,” fares aren’t all that different compared to six months ago. Studying 13 of their most popular routes, Cheapflights found that seven out of 13 stayed within $50, four out of 13 remained within $100, and only two out of 13 increased more than $100.
Carl Schwartz, Chief Travel Officer at Cheapflights.com says that although the soaring fuel prices are putting financial pressure on the airlines, they realize that if they want people to fly, it needs to remain affordable.
Even after fuel charges are tacked on, Cheapflights’ analysts say that, in some cases, travelers are now paying less than they did in 2000. For example, the average domestic flight from San Francisco in the fourth quarter of 2000 was $455.96. In the first quarter of 2007, it was $438.21. In the first quarter of 2008, it was $395.94.
Of course there are markets where prices did increase from the first quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2008, but if you’re flexible enough, you can still cut your costs. Schwartz said that if travelers take their time in searching and become more flexible and open in terms of when and where they go, they can still find a good deal. One of the ways you can get a better deal is to consider alternate airports. Another way is to plan ahead. If you see a good fare in your price range, book it now.
You can download the “travelnomics” report in PDF format here.
