June 4, 5:52 am
What’s your take on these “ultra cheap” airfares?
Horizon Air, closely connected with Alaska Airlines, is a regional airlines operating mainly in the western and northwestern states. Since I fly them from time to time, their recent announcement of fare reductions up to 76% caught my eye — especially flights as low as $29.
But upon closer examination, the deals are limited . . . and targeted specifically for short regional flights. And I mean SHORT.
Example: Pendleton, Oregon and Pasco, Washington are 70 miles apart. According to Mapquest.com, it takes about one hour and 13 minutes to drive between the two towns.
Say you live in Pendleton and need to make a business trip to Pasco. If you rent a car in Pendleton ($60) and get 20 MPG (about $25 in gas) your “there and back” cost is $85.
If you drive your own car and deduct mileage (.46 per mile) you’re looking at $65.
Horizon advertises a $29 fare between those towns, but that’s one way, and only if you buy your ticket at least two weeks in advance. Make it a round trip and add taxes and you’re looking at $70. Buy it the day of your flight and your airfare will be $110.
If you can plan ahead, the cost is roughly the same. But is it worth it?
Factors to consider: You can drive it in one hour and 13 minutes. That makes the 20-minute flight attractive, but then add the extra hour at the airport.
Also — once in Pasco, unless you have someone pick you up at the airport, add the cost of getting a car. Then the cost of the trip goes way up.
And, when you fly, you’re limited to when the plane comes and when it goes (or should I say “if?”). When you drive you can leave when you like and return when you like.
I’m sure other factors can be considered, but it seem that the only benefit of flying is that instead of paying attention to the road while driving you get to sit and relax — either in the plane or waiting for it.
Is that enough to choose to fly?
What’s your take? Is this a viable option for business people, or is this just a way to get publicity and increase the likelihood of someone shopping Horizon Air out of curiosity?
Filed in Work, Business, Management, Selling, Advertising, Customer Service, Workplace
Dan, in addition to all the factors you’ve noted, choosing plane over the car both removes one more car from the highway and the polluition that car creates. The low fares are likely a loss leader to attract more passengers to Horizon Air, but if more people take advantage of those low fares, they can be sustained–and more low-fare, short-route flights may be offered. It’s the old story of supply and demand.
Hi Tim —
Agreed on the benefit of these short routes being sustained if people use them. And love the fact that one less car will be on the road . . . I see that as a big plus in terms of congestion. But I *AM* ignorant (at this point, anyway) about the balance between the amount of fuel consumed by the plane and the amount of fuel consumed by the car. Perhaps someone would be kind enough to fill me in on how much fuel is burned ‘per passenger’ on a regional plane that can carry 30 people. I.e., how many gallons consumed per passenger if the plane is “full”, “1/2 full”, etc. In other words, at what point (how many people onboard) does it become better for the environment if people fly?