I have noticed recently that flight prices are really crazy for what you get. In trying to book a flight for me and my parents from Des Moines to Phoenix, I was quoted, at cheapest, at over $1000 when all was said and done. Not to mention that this flight had a layover each way and 3 our of the 4 flights were express planes, which are the type that are extremly small for the long amount of tim eyou are on board. Anyone else notice this?
One thing I am SICK of when flying!
- Thread starter renegade_987
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If you don't like it, drive.
That's what I will do when I have to go to Dallas later this year.
That's what I will do when I have to go to Dallas later this year.
Check out Allegiant Air. They fly into Gateway Airport in Mesa. According to their website they fly from Mesa to Cedar Rapids and the Quad City area. They usually do 2 - 3 flights a week. Their prices may be more reasonable although like many airlines they charge for all the extras like check baggage, etc. And yes they do have jets in their fleet.
Wonder what a small private jet owner would charge to drop you off at your nearest small airport landing strip?
IMO if you want to save money you have to fly from a big city to a big city, and drive to and from your destination (and maybe rent a car at the airport).
Flying into a small town is very expensive because those planes they fly are very small.
Flying into a small town is very expensive because those planes they fly are very small.
Check out the Kansas City prices and see if they are cheaper. Airport parking in economy lot is $6 per day. Des Moines is about 180 miles from KCI. My sister and brother in law come up to Kansas City frequently because most of the time it is too expensive for them to fly out of Springfield, MO.
JHZR2
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little middle of nowhere airports often have much worse flight prices than big ones where more carriers are working.
Some rates are just weird though...
I can fly LGA to DCA for $59 each way, but PHL to DCA is like $400 each way, for half the distance.
Some rates are just weird though...
I can fly LGA to DCA for $59 each way, but PHL to DCA is like $400 each way, for half the distance.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Despite what they advertise, the Des Moines airport is one of the more expensive airports from which to fly. Drive to Omaha and you'll probably get a much better rate.
Ya, I hate flying from Des Moines because of the prices. 5-7 years ago I could get pretty cheap roundtrip from Phoenix to Des Moines but Des Moines TO Phoenix roundtrip is crazy. Im considering either driving the whole way, or going to Omaha or Kansas City.
Despite what they advertise, the Des Moines airport is one of the more expensive airports from which to fly. Drive to Omaha and you'll probably get a much better rate.
Ya, I hate flying from Des Moines because of the prices. 5-7 years ago I could get pretty cheap roundtrip from Phoenix to Des Moines but Des Moines TO Phoenix roundtrip is crazy. Im considering either driving the whole way, or going to Omaha or Kansas City.
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Despite what they advertise, the Des Moines airport is one of the more expensive airports from which to fly. Drive to Omaha and you'll probably get a much better rate.
Ya, I hate flying from Des Moines because of the prices. 5-7 years ago I could get pretty cheap roundtrip from Phoenix to Des Moines but Des Moines TO Phoenix roundtrip is crazy. Im considering either driving the whole way, or going to Omaha or Kansas City.
A close friend of mine sits on the Des Moines Airport Board of Directors. He insists that the prices out of Des Moines are almost the same as Omaha or Kansas City, especially when gas prices to get to the other airports is factored in. I've showed him fare differences of several hundred to a thousand dollars between Des Moines and Omaha, but he still believes there's not enough of a difference to make the drive.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Despite what they advertise, the Des Moines airport is one of the more expensive airports from which to fly. Drive to Omaha and you'll probably get a much better rate.
Ya, I hate flying from Des Moines because of the prices. 5-7 years ago I could get pretty cheap roundtrip from Phoenix to Des Moines but Des Moines TO Phoenix roundtrip is crazy. Im considering either driving the whole way, or going to Omaha or Kansas City.
A close friend of mine sits on the Des Moines Airport Board of Directors. He insists that the prices out of Des Moines are almost the same as Omaha or Kansas City, especially when gas prices to get to the other airports is factored in. I've showed him fare differences of several hundred to a thousand dollars between Des Moines and Omaha, but he still believes there's not enough of a difference to make the drive.
If you don't like the prices, then drive.
Your friend may need a reality check. He needs to come down and look at the Iowa plates in KCI long term parking. Not all of them are the folks from the southern Iowa border area.
I'm pretty lucky that Buffalo is a southwest city. Just booked a couple tickets to vegas for $230 round trip including taxes. Southwest was running a sale, and there was a 15% kraft coupon on any southwest round trip flight.
I had some southwest credit that brought my fare down to $185 round trip. Can't drive there for that kind of prices (not that I would anyways)..
I had some southwest credit that brought my fare down to $185 round trip. Can't drive there for that kind of prices (not that I would anyways)..
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
I have noticed recently that flight prices are really crazy for what you get. In trying to book a flight for me and my parents from Des Moines to Phoenix, I was quoted, at cheapest, at over $1000 when all was said and done. Not to mention that this flight had a layover each way and 3 our of the 4 flights were express planes, which are the type that are extremly small for the long amount of tim eyou are on board. Anyone else notice this?
Im sure youve done this, but have you looked at frontier? Allegiant air also has some really cheap flights but youd probably have to get another flight for vegas to phoenix. I usually just drive the 2 hours to eppley in omaha.
I have noticed recently that flight prices are really crazy for what you get. In trying to book a flight for me and my parents from Des Moines to Phoenix, I was quoted, at cheapest, at over $1000 when all was said and done. Not to mention that this flight had a layover each way and 3 our of the 4 flights were express planes, which are the type that are extremly small for the long amount of tim eyou are on board. Anyone else notice this?
Im sure youve done this, but have you looked at frontier? Allegiant air also has some really cheap flights but youd probably have to get another flight for vegas to phoenix. I usually just drive the 2 hours to eppley in omaha.
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the wichita,ks air port parking lot is near empty, ALL the time. i will NEVER NEVER NEVER fly in air plains.
The thing that makes airline travel more difficult nowadays is the utter lack of anything remotely resembling these...
http://www.jethag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/panamlift.jpg
http://thetubesareclogged.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/southwest1970stewardess.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4298253126_62b4dd9ef5.jpg
http://www.jethag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/panamlift.jpg
http://thetubesareclogged.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/southwest1970stewardess.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4298253126_62b4dd9ef5.jpg
Originally Posted By: TC
The thing that makes airline travel more difficult nowadays is the utter lack of anything remotely resembling these...
http://www.jethag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/panamlift.jpg
http://thetubesareclogged.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/southwest1970stewardess.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4298253126_62b4dd9ef5.jpg
As the traveling public pressed for what it wanted: de-regulation, cheaper fares, labor equity, and cheaper fares, and, did I mention cheaper fares?
You're never going to see that kind of cabin again: wide aisles, wide seats, and eager young employees embarking on a career of adventure...the seat layout will cram in as many warm, paying bodies as possible and the old girls in the back can't afford to retire on their bankruptcy-adjusted wages, they're going to have to work until they're 80...
The thing that makes airline travel more difficult nowadays is the utter lack of anything remotely resembling these...
http://www.jethag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/panamlift.jpg
http://thetubesareclogged.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/southwest1970stewardess.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4298253126_62b4dd9ef5.jpg
As the traveling public pressed for what it wanted: de-regulation, cheaper fares, labor equity, and cheaper fares, and, did I mention cheaper fares?
You're never going to see that kind of cabin again: wide aisles, wide seats, and eager young employees embarking on a career of adventure...the seat layout will cram in as many warm, paying bodies as possible and the old girls in the back can't afford to retire on their bankruptcy-adjusted wages, they're going to have to work until they're 80...
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
I have noticed recently that flight prices are really crazy for what you get. In trying to book a flight for me and my parents from Des Moines to Phoenix, I was quoted, at cheapest, at over $1000 when all was said and done. Not to mention that this flight had a layover each way and 3 our of the 4 flights were express planes, which are the type that are extremly small for the long amount of tim eyou are on board. Anyone else notice this?
Figure out the cost per mile, the value of your time for each day traveling, and drive if you don't like it...Prices have gone up because the airlines have to charge what it costs to put a $75 Million dollar machine going 500 MPH while running on $4.00/gallon jet fuel in the air...so the ticket prices are finally reflecting reality...instead of bankrupt carriers trying to drive each other out of business by charging below cost.
I have noticed recently that flight prices are really crazy for what you get. In trying to book a flight for me and my parents from Des Moines to Phoenix, I was quoted, at cheapest, at over $1000 when all was said and done. Not to mention that this flight had a layover each way and 3 our of the 4 flights were express planes, which are the type that are extremly small for the long amount of tim eyou are on board. Anyone else notice this?
Figure out the cost per mile, the value of your time for each day traveling, and drive if you don't like it...Prices have gone up because the airlines have to charge what it costs to put a $75 Million dollar machine going 500 MPH while running on $4.00/gallon jet fuel in the air...so the ticket prices are finally reflecting reality...instead of bankrupt carriers trying to drive each other out of business by charging below cost.
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