Why is a nonstop flight sometimes more expensive than multiple connections?
Usually I find a flight I like that uses one or more connections with the same or different companies. In these cases, if the distance between the first and the second connection is not too large, I prefer to go by bus or train and then take the flight. The problem is that sometimes it is more expensive to take the flight in the second airport than to take the flight from the first one. I mean, I'm wondering why sometimes it is more expensive to take only a flight than to take the same flight and another one.
A practical example (and real, you can check with SkyScanner). Imagine I am in Madrid (Spain) and would like to go to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) on April 1st. The cheapest flight I have found is this:
TAM airlines: MAD -> GRU -> GIG : 507 €
Fantastic! GRU is one of São Paulo's airports. That's perfect for me! I'll go on to Rio traveling overland. But then, I look for this flight (MAD -> GRU, non-stop):
TAM airlines: MAD -> GRU : 597 €
It's the same flight, 90 € more expensive! I've found this kind of behavior a lot of times and I'm intrigued to know why it happens.
Best Answer
Not just competition, but also supply and demand. Many people prefer direct connections for their convenience, and are willing to pay more for them. Also, the separate legs of the indirect connection may well be less busy routes, requiring the airline to lower prices on those legs in order to entice passengers who'd otherwise either not travel or take other modes of transport (e.g. airfare between Amsterdam and Paris fell sharply when the high speed rail link was started).
You have to weigh the cost difference against the time loss and inconvenience (plus the higher risk of mislaid or stolen luggage).
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Why direct flights are more expensive than those with connecting flight or direct flight?
This is a classic airfare question that can be boiled down to a simple enough answer: Supply versus demand. Nonstop routes are a gamble for airlines because they require consistent demand for travel on that exact route.Are direct flights cheaper than connecting flights?
Connecting flights are normally cheaper than direct or non-stop flights as some passengers are willing to pay more for the convenience of catching a direct flight. However, when booking a connecting flight, it is important to factor in the costs you might incur during your connection.Why is a connecting flight cheaper than direct?
It could reduce prices on the nonstop to increase demand, but then it dilutes the fares that all those other people would have paid and that could result in less revenue even if it puts more people on the airplane. So it tries to find another way to fill up those seats.Why would an airline charge more for a single flight than one that continues onwards to another destination?
One-Way Airfare is More Convenient for Passengers However, since the airline can't be sure you'll use them for the return trip, their one-way tickets are more expensive as a way to recoup the potential losses of you as a return passenger.DON'T LET THIS RUIN YOUR TRIP! | *Tips for short connecting flights*
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Answer 2
It could be the time of day. Often red-eye flights are cheaper, or business-hour flights are more expensive. The MAD -> GRU one could be a really convenient and popular flight, and as such they can charge more for it, while the MAD-> GRU -> GIG one may be leaving at 4am and arriving at an awful time as well, but it's convenient for them to relocate planes then or something, so they offer a lower price to fill the plane.
In addition, landing charges may vary at different times of the day, to get a spot in the queue or at the terminal during peak times will cost more.
Airports charge the airlines quite a bit for premium slots :)
Answer 3
The most comprehensive and direct answer is “because the airline figured they could sell one of this seats at a higher price”. Time of day, convenience, competition, costs all figure in what's acceptable to the passengers and whether the airline can stay in business but none of this directly dictates price.
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