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TexasBushwhacker

(21,268 posts) Tue Apr 28, 2026, 05:49 PM Apr 28

What the hell is going on with airfares

I understand that the cost of jet fuel has gone up, but how can a plane be only 80% full for a flight Friday and they still want $600 for a one way trip? I mean, I can take Spirit or Frontier if I must, but I don't understand leaving seats unsold. I might have an opportunity to take a last minute trip Thursday evening or Friday morning from Houston to Sacramento, but not for $600! That's just one way!

7 replies

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What the hell is going on with airfares (Original Post) TexasBushwhacker Apr 28 OP

IDK - I had made a one way trip to Indy from Houston TBF Apr 28 #1

Maybe the airline just was not able to fill the seats?? as you say, airline flights are expensive. riversedge Apr 28 #2

The "cheap" airlines aren't cheap anymore either Freddie Apr 28 #3

I looked for a fare from bamagal62 Apr 28 #4

supply and demand says those empty seats should be sold at a lower price to fill them nt msongs Apr 28 #5

If they are truly empty DetroitLegalBeagle Apr 28 #6

The Algorithm behind Plane Ticket Prices and How to Get the Best Deal littlemissmartypants Apr 28 #7

TBF

(37,089 posts)

1. IDK - I had made a one way trip to Indy from Houston

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Tue Apr 28, 2026, 05:54 PM

Apr 28

at least a month ago but had to change the time this week (moving my kiddo home from college for a few weeks). Paid $150 just to change to a morning flight. That brought me up to almost $450 for one-way. I figured probably just because it was closer to when I'm flying, but it could be the oil prices too. This country is not in a good place right now.

riversedge

(81,427 posts)

2. Maybe the airline just was not able to fill the seats?? as you say, airline flights are expensive.

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Tue Apr 28, 2026, 05:57 PM

Apr 28

Freddie

(10,139 posts)

3. The "cheap" airlines aren't cheap anymore either

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Tue Apr 28, 2026, 06:03 PM

Apr 28

Frontier is the only airline that goes where I need. Ticket price is now 3x what it was in January.

bamagal62

(4,545 posts)

4. I looked for a fare from

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Tue Apr 28, 2026, 06:10 PM

Apr 28

NYC to Birmingham, AL in May and coach was $900!

msongs

(74,099 posts)

5. supply and demand says those empty seats should be sold at a lower price to fill them nt

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Tue Apr 28, 2026, 06:18 PM

Apr 28

DetroitLegalBeagle

(2,522 posts)

6. If they are truly empty

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Tue Apr 28, 2026, 06:33 PM

Apr 28

Prices will drop closer to the flight in an attempt to get them booked. Airlines hate empty seats and would rather make any money on them then no money. However, I wouldn't trust the booking software, they are notoriously inaccurate, especially if you aren't booking direct with the airline. They routinely show seats booked that aren't, seats empty that already have tickets sold but no seat assigned yet, or other randomness to handle partner airlines and last minute bookings and upgrades.

littlemissmartypants

(34,234 posts)

7. The Algorithm behind Plane Ticket Prices and How to Get the Best Deal

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Tue Apr 28, 2026, 07:22 PM

Apr 28

https://illumin.usc.edu/the-algorithm-behind-plane-ticket-prices-and-how-to-get-the-best-deal/

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