Ticket to ride: Airline prices

MOBILE, Ala. - Anyone who has compared ticket prices between Gulf Coast airports knows Mobile Regional is typically higher priced than Pensacola and Gulfport. But changes at the airport and the community could lead to changes in your wallet.

Mobile resident, T. Bruce MacKinnon, is constantly on the go. The Vice President of Elevator World, Inc. travels across the globe for his work, a publication on the international building transportation industry.

"I just read in Delta Sky Magazine their longest flight is from Atlanta to Mumbai, India, of which I've flown twice now, which is about 19 hours," said MacKinnon.

MacKinnon estimates he travels out of the Gulf Coast at least 10 times a year for business and pleasure.

While he prefers departing from home, airfare has taken him to ticket counters in Pensacola.

"I have recently flown out of Pensacola for a trip that I took to Atlanta because it was substantially cheaper," explained MacKinnon.

"The flight from Mobile to Atlanta was around $365 plus taxes and fees, so it would have been nearly $400; to fly out of Pensacola was $199."

The Not-So Friendly Skies:

What's the price difference between the airports? For trips to Atlanta on May 7, 2009, here are the numbers, which were compiled by a fare analyzer with Swift Trip.

With a 21-day advance purchase with at least a 3-night stay:

• Pensacola to Atlanta: $139.
• Gulfport to Atlanta: $219.
• Mobile to Atlanta: $229.

With no advance purchase, here are the new numbers:

• Pensacola to Atlanta: $359.
• Gulfport to Atlanta: $629.
• Mobile to Atlanta: $702.

Airfare Factors:

There are several factors that go into the pricing of a ticket, including seat capacity.

"We have more seats out of Pensacola," said Belinda Zephir of the Pensacola Regional Airport.

"We have larger aircraft. We have first class, so we have a little more seat capacity in our market."

The demand for airfare also plays a role.

"With the demand being down, the airlines are reducing the fares along the Gulf Coast," explained Zephir. "You just have to plan ahead to be able to get that type of a fare."

An American Airlines representative said when they determine ticket prices, they consider the following:

• The cost of operating the flight
• Distance of the flight
• Type of aircraft type
• Number of cities served from the departure city
• Types of travelers who typically fly the route, whether they're business or leisure flyers.

Another big reason for the price discrepancy between Pensacola and Mobile is Air Tran Airways, a discount carrier.

Discount carriers can offer lower fares because they often eliminate certain traditional services.

"Before Air Tran moved into Pensacola, our fares were a lot higher," stated Zephir. "What they did when they moved in was they reduced the fares 60%."

Mobile Regional Airport marketing manager Julie Bordes said not having a discount carrier is the number one reason Port City prices are higher.

"Competition drives fares," explained Bordes. "For Mobile, we don't have a discount low fare carrier, so the carriers within our market compete with each other. I will tell you this, over the last couple months, our fares have gotten more and more competitive."

Lower Fares On The Horizon?

Mobile Regional will add more Delta flights starting June 5. Delta will upgrade its aircraft and add two daily flights to Atlanta from Mobile.

"When you compare us to other airports our size and the nation, I think it makes us a little more competitive," said Bordes.

"Gulfport is about the same size of ours, in terms of seats per week, and I think it gives our passengers more options and hopefully gives them one more reason to look at Mobile Regional Airport."

Which is great news for perpetual travelers like T. Bruce MacKinnon. If only his flight to Mumbai could be a little shorter.

To hear tips on getting a better airline price, click here.

• Click here to visit the Mobile Regional Airport webiste.
• Click here to visit the Pensacola Regional Airport website.
• Click here to visit the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport webiste.