Comments on: Reader mail: Why does it cost less to fly further? http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:20:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Mary Branscombe http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/#comment-20567 Mary Branscombe Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:11:15 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/#comment-20567 the oddest one is that it is cheaper to fly LHR-LAX-AUK to New Zealand than to do just the LAX-AUK segment ON THE SAME PLANE. Sorry to shout, but it still amazes me months later. Air New Zealand. the oddest one is that it is cheaper to fly LHR-LAX-AUK to New Zealand than to do just the LAX-AUK segment ON THE SAME PLANE. Sorry to shout, but it still amazes me months later. Air New Zealand.

]]> By: Jack from eyeflare.com http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/#comment-20001 Jack from eyeflare.com Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:21:34 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/#comment-20001 I've often wondered about this curiosity in pricing myself, many thanks for clearing it up! I’ve often wondered about this curiosity in pricing myself, many thanks for clearing it up!

]]> By: Antonio http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/#comment-20000 Antonio Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:35:03 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/#comment-20000 As a United 1K member that lives in Santa Barbara, I'm made more than a few connecting flights from SBA. In this case, I'd recommend going the cheaper SB route for the following reasons: 1) SBA is a small airport that is incredibly convenient to get to from Ventura, while I'd rather have someone poke my eyes out than have to drive to LAX. The time you spend on the extra flight might be time saved by not having to drive on the 405. 2) SBA's long term parking is cheaper ($6/day) and closer (short walk) to the terminal than LAX ($8/day, requires shuttle ride) 3) SBA's security is VERY quick. Unless you have a 6am flight, the time between when you get in line and are done with security is about 2 minutes. 4) If you're a frequent flyer, you'll get more credit for the extra flight. The only drawback is the remote possibility of a some delay causing you to miss your connection. From experience, SBA-LAX is dependable route, so your chances of problems are very small. SBA-SFO is not as dependable. As a side note: SBA-SFO has a lot of problems with delays and cancellations. If you have a late morning flight and there's bad weather in SFO, try to fly standby on an 8am or earlier flight so that you're set to arrive in SFO before the international planes start arriving. As a United 1K member that lives in Santa Barbara, I’m made more than a few connecting flights from SBA. In this case, I’d recommend going the cheaper SB route for the following reasons:

1) SBA is a small airport that is incredibly convenient to get to from Ventura, while I’d rather have someone poke my eyes out than have to drive to LAX. The time you spend on the extra flight might be time saved by not having to drive on the 405.

2) SBA’s long term parking is cheaper ($6/day) and closer (short walk) to the terminal than LAX ($8/day, requires shuttle ride)

3) SBA’s security is VERY quick. Unless you have a 6am flight, the time between when you get in line and are done with security is about 2 minutes.

4) If you’re a frequent flyer, you’ll get more credit for the extra flight.

The only drawback is the remote possibility of a some delay causing you to miss your connection. From experience, SBA-LAX is dependable route, so your chances of problems are very small. SBA-SFO is not as dependable.

As a side note: SBA-SFO has a lot of problems with delays and cancellations. If you have a late morning flight and there’s bad weather in SFO, try to fly standby on an 8am or earlier flight so that you’re set to arrive in SFO before the international planes start arriving.

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/#comment-19995 Mark Ashley Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:59:20 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/#comment-19995 I wasn't clear. The "focus on price" comment was a reference to the initial question, asking WHY the price differences exist. I've edited the post to hopefully make this clearer. I'm in full agreement that it may be worth paying the extra $80 to avoid making a connection, if other factors (like distance to airport A vs. airport B, cost of parking, time between flights, etc., etc.) align. I wasn’t clear. The “focus on price” comment was a reference to the initial question, asking WHY the price differences exist. I’ve edited the post to hopefully make this clearer.

I’m in full agreement that it may be worth paying the extra $80 to avoid making a connection, if other factors (like distance to airport A vs. airport B, cost of parking, time between flights, etc., etc.) align.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/#comment-19987 Patrick Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:02:47 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/12/reader-mail-why-does-it-cost-less-to-fly-further/#comment-19987 You're contradicting yourself. You talk about risking missed connections and spending more time in airports, but then you say to focus on price. I would argue that your first point is better: It may be worth spending an extra $80 if you don't have to change planes, risk missing your connection, and most likely save a significant amount of time. Then again, if one airport is easier to get to, that could also affect how much the price difference is really worth. You’re contradicting yourself. You talk about risking missed connections and spending more time in airports, but then you say to focus on price.

I would argue that your first point is better: It may be worth spending an extra $80 if you don’t have to change planes, risk missing your connection, and most likely save a significant amount of time. Then again, if one airport is easier to get to, that could also affect how much the price difference is really worth.

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