Fare Lunacy
 

I went to book an SFO-JFK flight for New Years and the best I could find was a $579 RT. Then I looked at the Las Vegas-JFK flights. The fare was $279 RT and they routed me through SFO both ways on the same flights I wanted to take in the first place! So for an additional $160 SFO-LAS-SFO ticket, I am making the trip I wanted, saving $140 and getting an extra 828 miles (x200%). Why do the airlines insist on such ridiculous pricing policies?
Paul
SFO 1K

well, is the (price) glass half full or half empty?

best way to look at it could be: Enjoy the lower rate for the longer flight!

(I am glad that in low season transatlantic eco-flights Zurich - Frankfurt - USA on LH/UA cost often less then a 'simple' Zurich-Frankfurt return (same date, same flight-#).

Those transcon routes are where the airlines make their money. At one time (probably still true), if you stay more than 30 days, LAX-JFK (on UA at least) is only avaliable at full fare, which is greater than $2000 round trip. Of course, there are many, many workarounds, but not if you want to fly nonstop.

Another trick for transcons is to use Priceline or Hotwire -- where you'll pay about $200, although you aren't guaranteed nonstops (usually are though) or get to choose times (although you can say no to redeyes if you want).