Christmas flights seem to be cheaper this year

[mysticmac]

I live on the west coast, but grew up on the east coast where most of my family remains which means I have to fly back east every year around the holidays.

Up until a few years ago, I could count on my ticket being around $325 round trip as long as I booked it shortly after it became available. Then airlines started whining about fuel costs blah blah blah and my ticket suddenly cost around $475 and that's after shifting around the days that I fly to fly on a cheaper day. Boo.

It's that time of the year again, so I just checked and it is back down to $325!

 

[Punch]

I live on the west coast, but grew up on the east coast where most of my family remains which means I have to fly back east every year around the holidays.

Up until a few years ago, I could count on my ticket being around $325 round trip as long as I booked it shortly after it became available. Then airlines started whining about fuel costs blah blah blah and my ticket suddenly cost around $475 and that's after shifting around the days that I fly to fly on a cheaper day. Boo.

It's that time of the year again, so I just checked and it is back down to $325!

Cool man, didn't know that. If you go, have fun on your trip and be safe.

 

[Hauler]

Fuel is one of the largest expenses for airlines. They are able to drop their ticket prices to what you remember as being "reasonable", and still put a lot of extra profit to their bottom line because of the current price of fuel. They've also worked extra profits into their business structure (charging for baggage, fewer amenities on flights, change fees) from when fuel was expensive, and those are staying in place now that the customer is accustomed to it.

As a result, record profits are coming for airlines. Likely a good investment opportunity if you play the market.