Flying is going to get more expensive

[Davidson Deac II]

Problem is that Southwest has become one of the more expensive airlines to fly, at least in North Carolina.

I have been searching for flights to Los Angeles this summer, and southwest was usually the most expensive airline out of raleigh. USAir tends to be more expensive out of Charlotte, but they have direct flights to many places. I finally ended up buying flights on Delta to LAX, direct flight and it was 50 bucks cheaper than any other airline, and a 100 bucks cheaper than Southwest.

Fwiw, I am not sure that the airline merger really will cause prices to go up. They said the same thing irt the other big mergers, and yet airline fares aren't much more than they were four years ago. IMO, the price of oil has much more of an impact than mergers.

And if the prices do go up, it will mean more discount airlines will move into areas dominated by the big boys. Case in point, Frontier airlines just announced flights from Greensboro to Denver at $198 round trip. From Denver, they have flights all over the western US.

[Squirrel]

Frontier might not be around much longer. Current owners are trying to sell them. The reason the prices might go up is capacity is getting cut. You are right about southwest the rest of the airlines have been lower than them.

[Hawk]

sure glad I just bought my own jet

[brian032]

With the American and Us Airways merger flying is going to get more expensive. First thing they will do is reduce capacity which will raise fares. Will be interesting to see what the Justice Department says. would not be surprised if they have to give up a hub or two, too get it passed them. Charlotte should be fine but will seem some reduction in flights. But it might open Charlotte up to other carriers to come in too.

Late to the party, but I see British Airways making a return to Charlotte with the new merger; and maybe flights from Dusseldorf and/or Berlin via Air Berlin in the future. Lufthansa might make an exit out of CLT too if O/D isn't high enough to remain profitable. With United being the only Star Alliance domestic carrier, I don't see how they'll logically channel connecting passengers from UA hubs (who are probably coming from UA destinations) just to connect through a CLT-based LH flight to Munich.

I'm hoping for the best, but it'll be a sad day for Charlotte aviation if the non-stop flights to Munich via LH come to an end. :( That's one of the few routes that I love flying.

[Squirrel]

I wouldn't count CLT out yet, Good location for a hub either American/Us Airways or maybe even JetBlue or Southwest. I can see Charlotte growing there Carribean/ South American routes. Europe might be a little harder until rules are restricted and flight patterns are changed. Right now most fligths have to go up over the North East anyway for routings. Hopefully in the next 10 years that goes away and fly more southernly across the Atlantic. (even though it can be now but most carriers dont do it).

But I still think CLT will compete.

[Delhommey]

We just finally are getting Virgin, thank God.

[Hawk]

I had a virgin once.....just once

[Delhommey]

He was faster than he looked, huh?