“Travel has become so expensive since COVID—I wish we could go back to pre-pandemic prices.”
I hear this all the time. But… It’s just not true—at least when it comes to base airfares. Why?
1. Competition is fierce.
2. Revenue management is smarter than ever.
3. Ancillary fees (bags, seats, extras like car rentals and rides 😉) are where airlines really cash in.
Check out the US data below: ticket prices are flat vs. 15 years ago, even as overall inflation has soared.
(Of course, this doesn’t include the total cost of flying—all those “optional” extras add up and is not adjusted for route mix)
Perception is reality—but sometimes, reality bites back.
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