Regional air fares
Feb 25, 2023, 8:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 974
Regional air fares
I am booking a bunch of regional fares and am finding that the base fare is now at least $124 to $164 one way. I am fairly flexible but even off peak, if such a thing exists, is expensive. As I am booking for five months out, these fares are now double what I was comfortable paying.
I cannot remember when I last paid a double digit fare.
I do sense I an being gouged now.
I cannot remember when I last paid a double digit fare.
I do sense I an being gouged now.
Feb 25, 2023, 9:42 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,242
I am booking a bunch of regional fares and am finding that the base fare is now at least $124 to $164 one way. I am fairly flexible but even off peak, if such a thing exists, is expensive. As I am booking for five months out, these fares are now double what I was comfortable paying.
I cannot remember when I last paid a double digit fare.
I do sense I an being gouged now.
I cannot remember when I last paid a double digit fare.
I do sense I an being gouged now.
What we don’t know is the whether AirNZ are deliberately limiting the cheaper fare classes (F, P, K, X) compared to pre-covid times in an effort to increase the ‘average fare paid’ or similar metric.
Feb 25, 2023, 9:48 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,652
Depends on the route I guess. Had a look at some ex WLG (non stops) to regional in September and seeing $59, $69, $79, $91, $92, etc.
They say that they still release the same number of cheaper fares. Though talking to people there seems to be a general trend to booking earlier and planning things further ahead. So I think there is a trend booking earlier so the cheap fares go sooner so more people book earlier.
They say that they still release the same number of cheaper fares. Though talking to people there seems to be a general trend to booking earlier and planning things further ahead. So I think there is a trend booking earlier so the cheap fares go sooner so more people book earlier.
Feb 25, 2023, 9:59 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 974
How far out did you look? With high demand domestically, those that can will need to book even earlier than previously the case.
What we don’t know is the whether AirNZ are deliberately limiting the cheaper fare classes (F, P, K, X) compared to pre-covid times in an effort to increase the ‘average fare paid’ or similar metric.
What we don’t know is the whether AirNZ are deliberately limiting the cheaper fare classes (F, P, K, X) compared to pre-covid times in an effort to increase the ‘average fare paid’ or similar metric.
But I am paying around $300 return for a trip five months out.
Feb 25, 2023, 10:00 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Wellington
Posts: 88
Same with even the trunk routes, I was looking at WLG/AKL/WLG for August and return fares for most weekends are well over $300 return for a seat-only fare.
Pre-Covid I hardly ever paid more than $150 return for a weekend in AKL (generally booking 2-3 months out and of course excluding public/school holiday periods).
Pre-Covid I hardly ever paid more than $150 return for a weekend in AKL (generally booking 2-3 months out and of course excluding public/school holiday periods).
Feb 25, 2023, 10:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,652
Same with even the trunk routes, I was looking at WLG/AKL/WLG for August and return fares for most weekends are well over $300 return for a seat-only fare.
Pre-Covid I hardly ever paid more than $150 return for a weekend in AKL (generally booking 2-3 months out and of course excluding public/school holiday periods).
Pre-Covid I hardly ever paid more than $150 return for a weekend in AKL (generally booking 2-3 months out and of course excluding public/school holiday periods).
Room upgrades happening less. Getting turned down for early and late check-ins more often than not.
Mar 1, 2023, 3:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,321
Is it also more than just flights, have noticed hotels are fuller. Seeing the note which says only getting the booking because of status more often recently. Knew it was a perk but never saw it previously.
Room upgrades happening less. Getting turned down for early and late check-ins more often than not.
Room upgrades happening less. Getting turned down for early and late check-ins more often than not.
These prices are just recovering the earlier loses.
Mar 1, 2023, 9:55 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,321
If supply is increased then yes.
Just like produce , radio advertising, tv advertising etc the seats are a perishable product if there are spare seats then the best to to sell them.
Mar 1, 2023, 11:07 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,242
Mar 2, 2023, 12:07 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,321
Mar 2, 2023, 3:24 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,141
Well they do sell last minute fares cheaply - I think $169 is pretty reasonable.
The issue at the moment is simply buying one because a) so many flights are full and b) getting hold of them on the phone!
The issue at the moment is simply buying one because a) so many flights are full and b) getting hold of them on the phone!