(Why) Are West Coast Destinations More Expensive?
Jan 30, 2007, 6:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: NW, SPG, PC
Posts: 100
(Why) Are West Coast Destinations More Expensive?
Is it the case that flights to the West Coast are more expensive than flights to the East Coast of the US, other things held equal?
I had wondered if this was true and did a couple spot checks, one of which confirms the hunch while the other shows the difference of a penny:
On NW:
LAX to LGA 2/6
LGA to LAX 2/13
RT $424.00.
versus
LGA to LAX 2/6
LAX to LGA 2/13
RT $438.10.
A second contrast:
LGA to SEA 3/6
SEA to LGA 3/13
RT $248.10
SEA to LGA 3/6
LGA to SEA 3/13
RT $248.09.
I'd guess that systematic comparisons have been done previously (though a few searches of FT didn't turn up anything).
I'd be interested in any such comparisons, conclusions, ... since one might expect that the prices for the two-pairs identified above should be identical.
I had wondered if this was true and did a couple spot checks, one of which confirms the hunch while the other shows the difference of a penny:
On NW:
LAX to LGA 2/6
LGA to LAX 2/13
RT $424.00.
versus
LGA to LAX 2/6
LAX to LGA 2/13
RT $438.10.
A second contrast:
LGA to SEA 3/6
SEA to LGA 3/13
RT $248.10
SEA to LGA 3/6
LGA to SEA 3/13
RT $248.09.
I'd guess that systematic comparisons have been done previously (though a few searches of FT didn't turn up anything).
I'd be interested in any such comparisons, conclusions, ... since one might expect that the prices for the two-pairs identified above should be identical.
Jan 30, 2007, 8:58 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: NW, SPG, PC
Posts: 100
Jan 30, 2007, 10:17 pm
#4
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depending where you live out west and where you're flying to, it's a pretty good place to be based out of.. always a good deal, somewhere...
Jan 30, 2007, 11:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: DTW and PHX
Programs: hhonors
Posts: 83
It takes longer to fly east to west. Headwinds. 
And, the airlines know you're a tourist.
Truthfully, I don't think the airlines themselves could explain how they price and sell seats in a manner even they could understand. It's all made up as they go along, based on what they think they can get you to pay...
And, the airlines know you're a tourist.
Truthfully, I don't think the airlines themselves could explain how they price and sell seats in a manner even they could understand. It's all made up as they go along, based on what they think they can get you to pay...
Jan 31, 2007, 12:22 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 7,368
Mike
Jan 31, 2007, 2:45 am
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
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Another interpretation of the question is because there are fewer people (thankfully) more spread out in the west... heck, we have not only LAX, but SEA, HNL, ANC and even ATU. So, it just costs more to fly intra and to the west, due to lower demand and higher cost I guess.