Anyone who would pay $186 to drive 4 hours (2 each way) to take a trip which now requires a connection (read: another ~3 hours each way) is a fool. Seriously, 10 hours of your life for $186?!?!?. If you should misconnect, the math gets even worse. If you want a cheaper fare from ATL, don't act like a hub captive. Shop other airlines and make a connection somewhere else, but don't drive 4 hours for that "convenience".
Working in the airline biz during college, I saw people making 2-3 connections to save $5. I would like to think they were just making MRs, but they weren't.
Originally Posted by
FlyDeltaJets87
The only way to explain it is to realize that airfares have nothing to do with the distance you travel. Instead it's all about competition and supply and demand and convenience. On ATL-Europe, DL is able to offer nonstop flights while the competition is not. Those nonstops flights are able to command a premium for that convenience. On the other hand, CHA-ATL-Europe requires a connection, and therefore, competes with other airlines, such as US, that offer connections to Europe through their hubs from CHA. In order to attract the business, the airlines have to compete more on price than convenience since in terms of convenience (with regards to having to connect), the options are equal. The closest comparison is probably real-estate.
This! supply and demand. ECON 101.