Travel one flights
Historically, one-way tickets cost roundtrip dollars; that is, you'd pay almost as much for a single one-way ticket as you would for a roundtrip ticket to the same destination. Fortunately for thrifty flyers, domestic discount airlines and travel booking sites have entered the mix and now offer reasonably priced one-way tickets. Although the big airlines still charge roundtrip prices (or more) for many international routes, and certain one-way trips could cost hundreds or even thousands more than similar roundtrip itineraries, they have lately become more competitive for domestic one-way fares. Travelers still need to have a few tricks up their sleeves in order to avoid one-way highway robbery.
Why are some one-way flights so expensive? I asked George Hobica, founder of AirfareWatchdog.com, who told me that one-way flights are frequently purchased by business travelers who tend to combine trips (and whose corporate travel departments usually pay full price for fares). Hobica also said the airlines don't particularly want travelers to fly one-way, as it upsets airline travel schedules.
To get an idea of current one-way fare prices, I searched for flights on a number of airfare providers (big airlines, domestic airlines and online travel booking sites). Some of the exorbitant one-way tickets I found were shocking - others were easier on the pocketbook.
Discount Airfare Deals
In this case study, I'm pitting United Airlines against discount airline Aer Lingus and online travel booking site Expedia. I decided a trip to Paris would be just lovely and searched for spring flights departing from New York City. For the same travel dates, a roundtrip flight from the Big Apple to Paris cost $1, 231 with taxes on United versus $1, 302 with taxes on Aer Lingus and $851 with taxes on Expedia (flying on XL Airways France).
Things changed when I searched for one-way flights. A one-way flight from New York to Paris cost $736 with taxes on Aer Lingus and $489 with taxes on Expedia (again, flying on XL Airways France). For the same travel date and itinerary, United Airlines charged $1, 314 with taxes. Ouch!
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Popular Q&A
What airlines accept minors to travel lone with one connecting flight? | Yahoo Answers
Southwest, AirTran, Continental, and United all allow passengers over the age of 12 to fly alone without purchasing the unaccompanied minor service, so these airlines are an option if you feel your son could handle a connection by himself. (If you wanted to purchase the unaccompanied minor service anyway, only United, AirTran, and Continental, of these four, would be an option -- they allow unaccompanied minors to connect, while Southwest, like US Airways, only allows nonstop or direct flights for unaccompanied minors.)
Besides AirTran, Continental, and United, there are several airli…
