Travelers who use Philadelphia International Airport have grown accustomed to finding rock-bottom fares available at the last minute to many cities since Southwest Airlines landed here in May 2004.
But for a ticket to Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit or dozens of other places without low-fare competition, round-trip prices are throwbacks to the 1990s: Philadelphia to Detroit, $1,060; Philadelphia to Buffalo, $1,049; Philadelphia to Cincinnati, $1,220.
The Inquirer examined fares available for flights to 30 cities from Philadelphia using Orbitz.com, an Internet travel site, and US Airways' Web site.
Since its merger with America West Airlines five months ago, US Airways has set a goal of being the nation's largest low-cost carrier, and airline officials say they are trying to do that route by route.
Since the first of the year, US Airways has lowered by 50 percent or more one type of nonrefundable fare, which requires a 21-day advance purchase but no Saturday night stay, between Philadelphia and 14 small and mid-size Eastern cities. For example, it costs less than $200 round-trip to fly to Pittsburgh on a weekday, compared with $600 a year ago.
Philadelphia Inquirer
But for a ticket to Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit or dozens of other places without low-fare competition, round-trip prices are throwbacks to the 1990s: Philadelphia to Detroit, $1,060; Philadelphia to Buffalo, $1,049; Philadelphia to Cincinnati, $1,220.
The Inquirer examined fares available for flights to 30 cities from Philadelphia using Orbitz.com, an Internet travel site, and US Airways' Web site.
Since its merger with America West Airlines five months ago, US Airways has set a goal of being the nation's largest low-cost carrier, and airline officials say they are trying to do that route by route.
Since the first of the year, US Airways has lowered by 50 percent or more one type of nonrefundable fare, which requires a 21-day advance purchase but no Saturday night stay, between Philadelphia and 14 small and mid-size Eastern cities. For example, it costs less than $200 round-trip to fly to Pittsburgh on a weekday, compared with $600 a year ago.
Philadelphia Inquirer