How Airlines Charge

According to a recent article in Slate, airline prices are relatively arbitrary and have very little to do with the actual distance you're flying and a lot more to do with how many carriers are competing for your love-

Now, ticket prices have almost nothing to do with how far you're traveling and more to do with how many airlines are competing for your business. A short route flown by few carriers may be more expensive than a long route flown by all the major airlines. For example, flights between Portland and Medford, Ore., used to boast extraordinarily high per-mile fares, at least until more airlines began offering that service.

Airlines also factor in whether it's business or leisure travelers who are usually on the route - the airline can charge more for last minute tickets if they know it's business travelers whose companies can afford to foot the bill.

Comments

[Jon]

Having bought a last minnute full fare ticket and been stuck in the last row of the plane always reminds me of Henry Kissenger's famous quote... "There are only two reasons to sit in the back row of an airplane;
ether you have diarrhea, or you're anxious to meet people who do."

There should be a discount for the last couple rows.

[tripcart]

That quote from Henry Kissinger is classic - never heard that one before. Thanks.