Why are last minute flight tickets expensive?

Question

any airline gurus out there that can take this?? If an airline has lots of available seats, and you call within hours of a flight, why wouldn't you get HUGE discounts??? Are there any secrets to get last minute flights at a big discount?

Answer 1

Because airlines know, if they make it common practice that fares will drop at the last minute, then everyone will wait till the last minute to book their tickets. They would rather fly with empty seats on some flights than sell more seats at low, low prices. That keeps the overall revenue pretty consistent.

The only exception is on certain targeted routes, which change all the time. Airlines often send around "e-saver" emails (or something with a similar name) promoting certain trips at a discount. These fares can be great (I got DC to Atlanta for $120 r/t not too long ago) but there are lots of restrictions about when you can travel--- usually you can only leave on Saturday and return Sunday through Tuesday on these fares. So you lose some of the flexibility of purchasing a normal ticket but they can still be great deals.

Answer 2

Supply and demand. At the last minute there are fewer seats and greater demand. The airlines are smart enough to know that people booking flights at the last minute are ussualy buisness travelers or people who NEED to fly somewhere for something important. These types of people will have no choice but to pay extra. Also, people taking vacations last minute typically would not be afraid to shell out more then most people also. This system has worked for the airlines for many years. One thing the airlines will do sometimes is sell first class upgrades for discounts at the airport gate area.

Answer 3

Because the businessmen generally need to buy their tickets at the last minute - and they are the largest source of revenue for the airlines.
These days, the planes are mostly full, and there aren't many discounts to be had ... although, once in a while a good fare can be had at the last minute - particularly if it is on a route served by a discount carrier such as Southwest or jetBlue.

Answer 4

dcgirl, if the reason is, as you've written is to create this dynamic were prices don't drop in the last minute, then it would require coordination between competing airlines, wouldn't it? (if only one airline would implement such a policy the passengers would just move the cheaper competition). and that would constitute a cartel, wouldn't it?

Answer 5

This topic is worth more attention

Answer 6

Was wondering this as well

Answer 7

try
http://www.aeromexico.com or http://www.mexicana.com