illogical flight prices
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thunderbelmont

Original Poster:

2,982 posts

240 months

Sunday 6th December 2009
quotequote all
Here's something I can't quite fathom....

Next March, I'm taking Mrs Thunderbelmont off to Bristol, the one in Tennessee, to watch a spot of Ben Hur with V8's (that's NASCAR - 43 cars on a 1/2mile 33deg banked [-]wall of death[-/] oval circuit to you philistines).

So, I've found a good tour package for the hotel, circuit stuff, free beer, etc...

And then I turn to flights.

The most direct flight is Gatport Airwick to Charlotte, then a hop to Tyson Airport at Knoxville - which is grand because the accomodation is in Knoxville, right near the airport. The price of that - £432 each in cattle class.

Thinking laterally, I had a brainwave - we're going two days early, why not fly in the Charlotte, hire a pickup truck (to do the weekend authentically) and mosy on down to Knoxville by road, and see some sights while we're there.

Taking that into perspective, we don't need the flight from Charlotte to Knoxville - so what's the new flight price. It's unbelieveably different! Yes, £439 each. Hang on, that's £7 more, and there's one flight less? WTF?

So, the question is - where can I find a sensible priced flight from Gatwick to Charlotte that costs less than it would if I had another flight (to Knoxville) tagged on the end.

And do we think the £ is going to stregnthen against the $ in coming months? (shall I leave the booking a while and see if I can save some ££££'s? - yes, I know, how long is a piece of string.....


trackdemon

12,844 posts

277 months

Monday 7th December 2009
quotequote all
I can't offer any advice but I have seen the same thing, and it defies all logic to me.

Emirates flight to Seoul via Dubai , return: £527
Emirates flight to Dubai, return: £564

WTF!!??

I flew to Seoul but stopped over in Dubai as a friend landed a job there a couple of months back. I'd like to go visit again next year, and I'd assumed the price would be less than flying to Seoul (its well under half the distance after all!) but no, it seems Iit'd be cheaper flying to Seoul for one day & booking a long stopover in Dubai! Crazy.

No complaints about Emirates service though, superb & I'll certainly fly with them again.

Mattt

16,664 posts

234 months

Monday 7th December 2009
quotequote all
Best site I've found for playing around with options, cheapest days etc is www.skyscanner.net

But yes, they are illogical.

Fidgits

17,202 posts

245 months

Monday 7th December 2009
quotequote all
to really screw with your head, try getting a quote from Paris/Madrid to Charlotte on BA... it'll probably be cheaper wink

AndyAudi

3,497 posts

238 months

Monday 7th December 2009
quotequote all
When looking for a weekend away I've had in the past

Aberdeen - Paris £290 return

Aberdeen - Paris - New York £260 return

Both were Air France and it was the same flights Aberdeen - Paris?

F i F

46,915 posts

267 months

Monday 7th December 2009
quotequote all
Can you find something cheap to Atlanta, road trip from there?

Mattt

16,664 posts

234 months

Monday 7th December 2009
quotequote all
If you fancied a drive... cheapest flights in March are £212 each to Oklahoma. The tax on that will probably be £170 odd. That's ludicrously cheap.

Puggit

49,139 posts

264 months

Monday 7th December 2009
quotequote all
Airlines will almost always be cheaper with that extra leg attached to the long haul.

As mentioned BA will offer massive inducements to fly from the near continent to London and then on across the pond. BA's frequent flier scheme is also massively kinder to residents of the continent compared to UK residents.

trackdemon

12,844 posts

277 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
Puggit said:
Airlines will almost always be cheaper with that extra leg attached to the long haul.

As mentioned BA will offer massive inducements to fly from the near continent to London and then on across the pond. BA's frequent flier scheme is also massively kinder to residents of the continent compared to UK residents.
The question is though, why? It just doesn't make sense to me, as it cannot help but cost the airline more money to fly me a greater distance, supply more food & drink, pay multiple airport fees etc....

thunderbelmont

Original Poster:

2,982 posts

240 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
It's crazy, indeed. I looked a BA, flying from Paris to Charlotte - which would be a two-stopper, once in Heathrow, the other at O'Hare. It was megabucks compared to Delta from Gatport Airwick direct.

Looks like I'll take a flight direct to Knoxville.

Now finding car hire in Knoxville.... All of the online mob's I've tried fail. My engine builder is in Knoxville, so I'll ask him! He might even lend me a pickup, then I can look authentic!!

Rob.

F i F

46,915 posts

267 months

Wednesday 9th December 2009
quotequote all
thunderbelmont said:
I looked a BA, flying from Paris to Charlotte - which would be a two-stopper, once in Heathrow, the other at O'Hare. It was megabucks compared to Delta from Gatport Airwick direct.
Not just the thread title that is being illogical then.

As earlier post, Atlanta, road trip through Smokey Mountains to Knoxville. about 4 hours driving.
Go see Chattanooga if that floats your boat, not mine personally thoug there is a Choo Choo.
Even take the long route round and go via Nashville. That takes about 8 hours.

Stuff me I spend enough time in Oak Ridge, I ought to know.

LHR or LGW-ATL from 363 quid direct flights only KLM cheapest

:Clarkson:
How hard can it be?
:/JC:

sleep envy

62,260 posts

265 months

Wednesday 9th December 2009
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LHR (apex at AUH) SYD with 1 week stop over - £547

LHR (apex at AUH) SYD with 3 week stop over - £952

Mattt

16,664 posts

234 months

Wednesday 9th December 2009
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Going to come say Hello then Ric?

sleep envy

62,260 posts

265 months

Wednesday 9th December 2009
quotequote all
dunno mate - still not booked the flights rolleyes

if I am in town I'll let you buy me a beer biggrin

Mattt

16,664 posts

234 months

Wednesday 9th December 2009
quotequote all
How generous of you! £5/pint makes Dirty Dicks seem like Wetherspoons!