This is how I cope when flying these days....
Posted on 05/23/2018 8:49:24 AM PDT by Simon Green
For the millions who are flying somewhere this summer, they may want to pack some extra patience.
The industry trade group Airlines for America is expecting a record 236.1 million people to take a flight between June 1 and Aug. 31, an increase of 3.7 percent from last summer.
"As the economy grows along with household net worth, passengers are taking advantage of persistently low airfares for their summer travel plans," said John Heimlich, vice president and chief economist at Airlines for America.
Heading into Memorial Day weekend, the travel app Hopper said the average domestic airfare is $336 and is expected to rise to $354 this summer. Those prices are down more than 12 percent from three years ago, due largely to intense airline competition keeping carriers from raising fares.
The combination of relatively low airfares along with a strong economy and high consumer confidence have convinced more people it's time to book a flight. To meet that demand, airlines have added more flights. Airlines for America calculates carriers will add 116,000 seats per day this summer to accommodate the 96,000 additional daily passengers.
While airlines are planning more robust flight schedules this summer, that may change in the months to come as carriers wrestle with higher fuel costs. Since last year, jet fuel prices are up more than 60 percent.
Nope. Flyin’ days are over.
What with Therapy Cobras, getting fondled by the person in the next seat, and people peeing on the seats, I can see why more people want to fly.
For our family too. If we go to Europe it is either fly to Iceland or Shannon Ireland or by ship.
Double nope here. Have fun and send postcards, travelers!
Got a few million miles under ny belt. Flying these days is like cramming all the people of walmart people into a tin can
This is how I cope when flying these days....
Americans are bigger, the seats are smaller.
What could possibly go wrong? :-(
The TSA girls will have a field day with the legal voyeurism, sexual assaults and colonoscopies.
Fully supported by the union and federal government - it’s for your own good, after all.
Thanks George!
Prepare for crowdwd planes? I flew on business for years. Ended in 2012. Hadn’t seen an empty seat on a plane in years before that. Used to find an empty row on a cross country flight on which to take a nap. Now its like a Greyhound bus.
The 16 hour nonstop flight to South Africa was less then pleasant in economy.
No thanks. I’ll stay home.
Can I bring along my pet skunk as an “Emotional Support Companion”?
Going to CA from Knoxville, TN area this July. I’m driving my 2018 Navigator. Will go by I-70 across Colorado, into UT, and then NV and cross NV by 50. The most scenic way to cross the country. Check it out on the map. No way I’m going to torture myself with air travel.
You really need to consider a Sydney Funnel Web Spider. Best of all, one of them can quickly and quietly eliminate a seat mate who farts to much. The only drawback is it can also eliminate you equally easily.
Haven’t been on a air plane since 2006, will not be in one for the rest of my life - 25 - 30 years...There are plenty of places I can drive to and I have the time. There is no place other than the United States that I care to visit or see. The rest of the world holds no interest for me or my personal life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.