Airlines Add Surcharges Almost Every Day This Summer
Saturday, May 29, 2010
(Dive Travel Business News - May 29, 2010) -- FareCompare.com recently analyzed summer airline prices and found that consumers will be paying a surcharge for flying on a "peak travel day" starting June 10 through August 22, 2010. According to the study, so-called "peak travel" days will be every day this summer, with the only exception being July 4th.
American, Delta, Continental, United and US Airways are placing a $10 - $30 surcharge (per one way flight) on most domestic flights operating this summer. The surcharge will be included in the cost of the ticket. Southwest and JetBlue have no surcharges on any flights.
The most common surcharge is $20 and is frequently found on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Monday flights. A $10 surcharge is most common Tuesdays and Wednesdays - the least busy travel. The most expensive surcharge — $30 — is usually in effect on Sundays and typically the busiest of summer travel days.
Farecompare.com also found that the average round-trip airfare in mid-May, minus surcharges, was 10% higher for this summer's cheapest coach tickets than last year. Add to that the surcharges for a family of four that could add to $240 to the cost of a round trip this summer vacation season.
"Functionally these aren't so much fees as just higher fares. Airlines tack on surcharges rather than raise fares as a book-keeping convenience: It helps them to target high-demand days and save costs required to track daily price changes," says FareCompare.com Ceo Rick Seaney.
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