Is it Skyharbor or Charlotte Douglas (Phoenix, Tucson: costs, bus, airports)

[westcoastbabe]

What's with the outrageous fares between Charlotte and Phoenix?
My Gawd !!!!!! Lowest I see is $478 rt. Geesh I know it's peak vacation season, but c'mon now. Friends want to come visit from Charlotte but the fares are holding them back. Hopefully fares will break by Aug or September. One can only hope.

[BuckeyeBoyDJ]

I feel your pain believe me I just spent $448 round trip to go back East next month. I looked high and low for low fares but didn't find anything cheaper than $400 that was accommodating for me. Even the so called "Budget Airlines" such as Southwest and a couple others aren't even the cheapest options these days like they once were. It sucks for sure.....

[BuckeyeBoyDJ]

Oh and to answer your question the high prices really doesn't have anything to do with either airport. Airfare is determined by distance and the competition (meaning how many airlines serve that destination). The fewer the options the more expensive it is (airlines can set the price as high as they want because consumers don't have any other options). And the more flights to a destination will often result in a cheaper fare because consumers have options and airlines know that so they have to set the fare at a reasonable price of course while still competing with other airlines. That's why flights are usually pretty cheap from Phoenix to Vegas and LA because it's a short distance and pretty much all of the major airlines at Sky Harbor as well as Allegiant at Mesa Gateway all fly to those destinations. Of course the price of jet fuel greatly influences airfare as well. Phoenix and Charlotte are across the country from each other so the fare is going to be on the pricey side regardless.

[tumamoc]

I would say try the bus, but that is more or less the same cost .

[BuckeyeBoyDJ]

Originally Posted by tumamoc

I would say try the bus, but that is more or less the same cost .

True I don't think the bus would be significantly cheaper traveling that far. I personally can't do the Greyhound. I did that one time from Phoenix to Sacramento and it was the last time. I would rather just drive myself honestly if ground transportation was the only option. You can also take the Amtrak out of Flagstaff to Charlotte. I've never road the Amtrak but I've always wanted to for the experience.

[Jukesgrrl]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeBoyDJ

Oh and to answer your question the high prices really doesn't have anything to do with either airport. Airfare is determined by distance and the competition (meaning how many airlines serve that destination). The fewer the options the more expensive it is (airlines can set the price as high as they want because consumers don't have any other options). And the more flights to a destination will often result in a cheaper fare because consumers have options and airlines know that so they have to set the fare at a reasonable price of course while still competing with other airlines. That's why flights are usually pretty cheap from Phoenix to Vegas and LA because it's a short distance and pretty much all of the major airlines at Sky Harbor as well as Allegiant at Mesa Gateway all fly to those destinations. Of course the price of jet fuel greatly influences airfare as well. Phoenix and Charlotte are across the country from each other so the fare is going to be on the pricey side regardless.

^^^ That. If you think the fare between Charlotte and Phoenix is expensive, check the price between Charlotte and Tucson. Usually far more expensive. I know this because I drive to Sky Harbor all the time to pick up visitors from back East who are coming to stay with me in Tucson. They fly via Sky Harbor because in most seasons it saves them a huge amount to land in Phoenix. Far more than it costs me to drive there to pick them up.

Also, there are very few direct flights to Tucson from anywhere so in addition to paying a premium, these travelers would have to make connections they can avoid by flying into Sky Harbor. Even considering how many people from the Midwest have ties to Tucson there are only two direct flights a day between Tucson and O'Hare. American can charge whatever they want because they're the only game in town. Southwest uses Midway, which a lot of Midwest travelers don't want to deal with.

[ElleTea]

Book more than a month in advance, too. That brings the price way down. Also book on Tuesdays. The fares are lower than on the weekends somehow!

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

Book more than a month in advance, too. That brings the price way down. Also book on Tuesdays. The fares are lower than on the weekends somehow!

good suggestions....also, in addition to Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday travel can often be cheaper.....and even just 21 days or more ahead of time can be cheaper.....if you're somewhat flexible with travel times, try priceline and "bid" about 20-40% cheaper than the cheapest you found at the airline websites....also, some airlines may offer a calendar with fares for every day of the month you're interested in - and some days will be much cheaper than others....

do not wait until less than 21 days ahead of your travel date!

[sandy6879]

It's anywhere on the East Coast. It cost us $500 a person RT to Florida, and it's going to be close to that when I need to go to Ohio as well as CT later this year. I'm thinking it's PHX, to be honest. And I fly often, the flights out of PHX have been absolutely ridiculous all year.

[caryberry]

Airports have varying amounts of fees - for example, the landing fee at MSY (New Orleans, LA) is $1.

Along with the growing amount of fees, including booking online or speaking directly w/the airline can also impact the ticket price.