Why don't airlines have fixed ticket prices?

Question

Buying an air ticket is so frustrating sometimes because just when you thought you've got the cheapest one, tomorrow the prices will suddenly drop. And when you're broke, the prices just keep hiking and hiking like there's no tomorrow. Why is it like that? Why can't it be fixed like bus fares, or any other stuff?

i mean, the prices can dramatically change in a matter of minutes *even seconds*. gas price doesn't change that often. sometimes it's like, "your ticket costs 500 bucks. Whoops, sorry.. it just went up to 700. Oh no, now it's 750. Are you paying now or.. wait, now it's 500 again."

Answer 1

Because business people will always pay more for a ticket and it is usually at the last minute. The market depends on them and this is how airlines make their profit. When seats aren't filling, they open up at a price that most pleasure travelers will find appealing. Money, not love, makes the world go 'round.

Answer 2

There are many factors that airlines consider when setting a price. And many of these are unseen by the consumer. They use a process called Yield Management. They obviously want to make a profit, so it factors in variables such as time of travel, destination, fuel prices, future projections, weather, even the plane being used and many others. They use this to determine a dollar value for each seat. Multiple factors impact the price of the seat.

Usually, it's best to try to book your flight as early as possible. At least 21 days for domestic flights. Also, an airline may assign a certain price for the first 20 seats sold, another price for the next 30 seats sold, and another price for the next 40 seats sold. Once the first 20 seats are sold, that rate is no longer available.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I know it's more complicated than this, but I think the prices aren't set because there would be no competition for our business.

Although there's an airline that has a hub in the city I'm from, and they treat their employees so crappy (I know several people who are pilots, flight attendants, etc.) that I'll choose any airline but them, even if their price is the lowest. I guess for consumers it's more about service + price. Corporate level "reason's" would be many pages long, I'm sure :)

Answer 4

Aircraft supply and demand by the contactor airlines such as (Mesa Air, or Sky West) which fly express planes for delta, united, us airways ect. Gas prices and time of year when traveling is busiest. Obviously the airlines are trying to make the most money they can because of their bad position.

Answer 5

I'm kind of glad the prices are not fixed. Becos if fixed, the prices are going to be quite a bit higher than what I want to pay. There are countries with fixed domestic ticket prices and it's not cheap.

Answer 6

airlines understand that in case you desire to shuttle for the duration of a undeniable time badly sufficient, you will pay for the fee ticket. it is not fee gouging. I truthfully have heard some application companies value greater in case you employ electrical energy for the duration of height situations than in case you employ it for the duration of non-height situations. height-situations are for the duration of artwork-hours while a lot of companies additionally want electrical energy. in case you do no longer desire to pay lots for tickets, then purchase your tickets early, circulate to kin for the duration of yet all over back or evaluate using or taking the prepare to that holiday spot.

Answer 7

Well, I suppose when they fix the price of gas.

Answer 8

Because it's not regulated by the government how it used to be, also gas goes up and down, and that also affects it.

Answer 9

One word- DEREGULATION