Originally Posted by
Gardyloo
For example, I just ran two simple DONE4s ex-Johannesburg, one starting with JNB-HKG (and therefore issued by CX) vs. one starting with JNB-LHR (BA) with JNB-HKG-NRT-LAX-JFK-LHR-JNB as the CX-issued route and JNB-LHR-JFK-LAX-NRT-HKG-JNB as the westbound BA-issued route. The taxes and fees total on the CX route amount to 9,313 ZAR (around US$667) while the BA route total is 15,980 ZAR ($1145.) And that's on only six flights, only one of which (JNB-LHR or v.v.) is actually on BA metal (used AA for both oceanic crossings.) Airport and arrival/departure taxes are the same, so the only variable has to do with carrier-imposed (i.e. fuel) surcharges.
Note that whilst on this itin the reverse has much the same by way of airport/departure taxes, that's not always the case.
Here are the numbers as per ITA (searching for each leg one at a time, all on Sept 26th, airline charges first, taxes second).
JNB-LHR on BA (D): $263 + $41.8
LHR-JFK on AA (D): $204.2 + $314.7
JFK-LAX on AA (D): $0 + $119.24 (mostly the ~$105 US Transportation Tax)
LAX-NRT on AA (D): $86 + $27.8
NRT-HKG on CX (D): $16.80 + $21.9 (or $21 + $13 in taxes on JL).
HGK-JNB on CX (D): $24.8 + $15.5
total: $594.8 + $540.94
JNB-HKG on CX (D): $24.6 + $41.9
HKG-NRT on CX (D): $5.5 + $15.5 (same on JL).
NRT-LAX on AA (D): $88 + $57.1
LAX-JFK on AA (D): $0 + $119.24 (mostly the ~$105 US Transportation Tax)
JFK-LHR on AA (D): $414 + $27.8
LHR-JNB on BA (D): $234.6 + $279.5
total: $766.7 + $541.04
So the difference should be under $200. BA charging extra fuel surcharges seem to be most of the issue?