Is your airport a rip-off?
Filed under: Travel
Forbes has an interesting article out about America's rip-off airports, which is a must read if you're going to be traveling any time soon. Even if you already know if an airport near you is a good or bad deal, the list can be surprising. I sure didn't need to be told that the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport was expensive, but it was slightly eye-opening to know that it's the worst rip-off in America.
I've been driving about two hours away to the Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis airports for years, because my flights have been at least a hundred dollars cheaper by going elsewhere.
In any case, for those who are wondering, the five biggest rip-off airports in America are:
That said, the article, which came out this week, may already be outdated. The Cincinnati airport has long been known in the area for having notorious prices due to being a hub for Delta, which has kept competition away. Perhaps it was just timing, or maybe it shows the power of the press, but just about the time the Forbes article came out, Delta announced that they're slashing fares, depending on the destination, from 5 percent to 60%t.
Wanting more information about air fares, I contacted my travel agent, Indianapolis-based Julie Sturgeon, who I wrote about once in WalletPop, and asked her what tends to drive up the price of flights. Sturgeon, who has a blog and travel agency called Curing Cold Feet, said that much of the problem comes with the contracts that the airports get into with the ground crews, but if someone wanted to really do some digging, they should check out this handy dandy frequently asked question page about air fares put up by the Mobile Regional Airport.
They offer a heap of insight into the problem, but the basic thrust that drives airport fees can be summed up in one word, a word that makes a lot of sense when you think about it: "Competition."
I've been driving about two hours away to the Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis airports for years, because my flights have been at least a hundred dollars cheaper by going elsewhere.
In any case, for those who are wondering, the five biggest rip-off airports in America are:
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (average fare: 48 cents per mile)
- Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan (average fare: 41 cents per mile)
- Tri-Cities Regional Airport, in Johnson City, Tennessee (39 cents per mile)
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, South Carolina (39 cents per mile)
- Duluth International Airport in Duluth, Minnesota (38 cents per mile)
That said, the article, which came out this week, may already be outdated. The Cincinnati airport has long been known in the area for having notorious prices due to being a hub for Delta, which has kept competition away. Perhaps it was just timing, or maybe it shows the power of the press, but just about the time the Forbes article came out, Delta announced that they're slashing fares, depending on the destination, from 5 percent to 60%t.
Wanting more information about air fares, I contacted my travel agent, Indianapolis-based Julie Sturgeon, who I wrote about once in WalletPop, and asked her what tends to drive up the price of flights. Sturgeon, who has a blog and travel agency called Curing Cold Feet, said that much of the problem comes with the contracts that the airports get into with the ground crews, but if someone wanted to really do some digging, they should check out this handy dandy frequently asked question page about air fares put up by the Mobile Regional Airport.
They offer a heap of insight into the problem, but the basic thrust that drives airport fees can be summed up in one word, a word that makes a lot of sense when you think about it: "Competition."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2-19-2009 @ 11:44AM
Hal said...
Please add Charlottesville, VA to the list of airports with excessively high airline prices. I regularly drive to Richmond, VA or to any of the DC airports so save significant money.
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2-21-2009 @ 4:46PM
Fred said...
I agree and also add Gainesville Fla. to the highest on the list. Thats why everyone flys out of Jacksonville or Orlando. Gainesville's airport is a joke, if you have seen their prices its a rip off, just a heads up. Fly out of Jacksonville great airport, nice and friendly people, and very thoughtful. Thought this would help people out.
2-19-2009 @ 11:45AM
Vicky said...
What a crock. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. The military fares especially. You can get cheaper fares online than their so called military discounts. We live near a smaller airport and to save driving 3 hours to a bigger one we have to pay up to an extra $150 sometimes. They should let our soldiers fly free! Any airline that did that would get tremendous business I'd say from the word of mouth.
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3-07-2009 @ 10:48AM
SA said...
They VOLUNTEERED to fight. They can pay just like the rest of us.
2-22-2009 @ 3:40AM
Aloha jon said...
If you think military fares are high now, you should have been flying before deregulation in 1978. Back then, only the rich or people on expense accounts like salesmen could afford to fly, or if you were in the military, you had to get dressed up in dress uniform (which they do NOT do now), and get 50% off the full coach fare (which is much higher than what most people pay now). Oh and before I forget, military flew standby, which means you got on only if the plane was NOT full. Fares are so much cheaper now, so don't expect the same kind of service as before deregulation. You can NOT get Neiman Marcus or Norstrom service for Kmart, Walmart, or Target prices.
2-19-2009 @ 12:05PM
stephen said...
I would pay more for my ticket on an airline that allows free military travel.
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2-19-2009 @ 2:07PM
kathy chase said...
You can put the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport on the list, too. The fares out of there are so high that we can usually drive to Kansas City or St Louis, park the car for however many days, and sometimes even spend the night in a motel, and STILL SAVE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT WORTHWHILE!
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2-20-2009 @ 11:19AM
Beth said...
My home airport of TRI is number 3! Surprise--NOT!
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2-20-2009 @ 2:21PM
tojo said...
100 years ago Teddy Roosevelt crushed these corporate bastards. It's time to do it again!
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2-20-2009 @ 5:52PM
Ralph said...
Amen!
2-20-2009 @ 2:42PM
steve said...
Did you include Greenville/Spartanburg is your study? I travel all over the US and GSP has to be one of the most expensive. That is why so many people drive 1 and 1/2 hours to Charlotte, NC no matter where they are going.
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2-23-2009 @ 11:19PM
dwh said...
GSP is the sorriest airport around.They cancell your flight just a few hours before takeoff.This happened twice, Caused me to lose rental car due to one flight change.Think I got that money returned??? yeah right...Then you gotta deal with Rude hatefull DYKE working as TSA.She dumped my overnight bag all over the table and then made me repack carry on. We had to run to gate just to make flight. Me and my family now just load up the car and drive to ATL whenever we fly. Flights are cheaper even with added driving time and gas costs.
2-20-2009 @ 2:53PM
B.Morris said...
Contractual agreements to subcontractors to operate the airports and excessive adminstrative cost by city appointed managers, fares with hidden city taxes and non-competitive structure of businesses allowed to operate in the terminal. In short excessive GOVERNMENT iNVOLVEMENT. are the #1 cause of these outragious cost. The taxpayer funds the terminal, then he is keel hauled attempting to use it. For similar silliness see CONVENTION CENTERS! and JUSTICE CENTERS! You the taxpayer builds it, then your held hostage and mugged by it!
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2-20-2009 @ 2:59PM
Allison said...
Add Charleston, SC to the list as well. Thank God the major carriers haven't run Airtran off yet like they did the other discount airlines.
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2-20-2009 @ 3:05PM
bobby said...
i'm surprised one of the ny area airports aren't on the list
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2-20-2009 @ 3:49PM
john said...
Who the fuck cares about this shit?!! I just want O'Bama, the Irish Jig, to send me my check!!
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2-21-2009 @ 5:44PM
J. M. said...
I'll tell you who in the f--- cares about this shit. Some of us fly 1000's of miles to see our family! Stick to the subject and issue an apology for that racist remark. No one is getting a check. You are getting more money in your paycheck a month. You do not know what you are talking about. No one wants to see a reply like yours. You are mean spirited.
2-20-2009 @ 3:43PM
Leslie said...
I live in Traverse City and it is no surprise to me that our airport is in the top 5 in airport rip offs. We always drive down to Detroit. I will never pay the outragerous fee's,charges or whatever Traverse City Cherry Capital Capital charges again. They quote "fly near by" I say run to Detroit dont walk....Even Grand Rapids would be better that Cherry Capital..
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2-20-2009 @ 11:19PM
CHAR said...
Leslie:
How would you suggest traveling from Chicago O'Hare intoTraverse City? I did book flights this past Xmas 2008...unfortunately, due to weather conditions, my flights were cancelled and I was refunded $$$. Total flight cost over $800!
I promised my friends I would try to get up to see them this summer...what would you recommend? I did research Trains w/out any luck.
Thanks
Char
...btw...do you know a "Barb & Bob" ?!? They're my friends in Traverse City!
2-20-2009 @ 3:43PM
Ellen said...
When flying always check Southwest. I just flew from Tampa to Las Vegas roundtrip for $220.00. It was a special they had online for two days the last of December.
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