Whilst we can agree or disagree on the various analogies put forward on the thread, surely the big issue is the pricing differentials that are sometimes involved.

I totally understand why AMS-BKK on BA is cheaper than LHR-BKK due to the reduced demand from AMS, the competitive pressure versus KL and the inconvenience of having to change at LHR. However, to charge over 100% more for direct versus indirect when you are sitting on the same seats for 90% of the journey seems far too disproportionate.

In the summer we are going to Florida, the flight in J from LGW-TPA/MCO-LGW was about £2,550 each (cheapest option on BA, either TPA or MCO were fine for me). Booking it ex-DUB was under £1,200 each - even after deducting the APD, the ex-LON cost is still more than double the ex-DUB price.

For 3 of us the saving on tickets is £3,900, offset by £109 for 3 tickets & 2 bags to position to DUB (on FR - shhhhh), £63 for a night in the Premier Inn and an extra night on the holiday. Great for me but these sort of savings surely make some airline pricing policies extremely difficult to defend.