On some routes, airlines make enough on cargo alone to pay for the flights, so the passenger revenue is just gravy, anyway.

New York to London, $596 including all taxes, leaving on June 17 and returning on June 25.

New York to Paris is twice that. Can anyone say, "Chunnel"?

Just spoke to another person who cancelled his plans to go to Italy for the summer. Instead, he is taking his daughter to Hawaii on a cruise. The reason, high air prices to Europe for summer season.

The European travel industry is going to have a weak year from U.S. toruists as the Pound and Euro are at record highs versus the dollar. I was planing on going to Scotland and when I put the costs for the trip together, I ended up reserving to go to Canada, with better quality accomodations and the price for the trip is going to cost me quite a lot less. The airlines will feel this until they aggresively put packages together to lure U.S. tourists.

Gumper-the airlines aren't responsible for making your European trip cheap due to high Euro or Pound prices!They are trying to cope with high fuel prices,security,etc. Geez-even the flight crews don't receive International pay anymore due to cost cutting and we could really use it more than anyone.........

I checked this morning, Miami to London, leaving on June 13 and returning on July 11, $654.00 on British Airways. Includes ALL Taxes.

Visiting Eastern Europe and avoiding the United Kingdom is one way to handle a shrinking Dollar.

Delta FCO-JFK last Friday was about 1/3 empty in coach on the 767.
M

1/3 empty and I bet they didn't allow anyone to use their frequent flyer miles on the flight.

The dollar is low. The planes are cramped. Passengers can't use their FF miles for the trip or the upgrade.

and

you've typed in a one-week itinerary that includes Mem. Day weekend, a traditional time in the US for family or community-oriented things plus a certain proportion of high school graduations.

HKP

Did you read the thread or did you want an award for a stupid comment?

You're just too kind.

What on earth is your problem? I was pointing out that prices for the 5/21-28 week might be low because it's not as heavily traveled as other times, and that there are other disincentives to explain why, to quote your title, "airlines [might be] having trouble filling seats to Europe."

OK, to make my clarification even clearer: &quot;that prices for the 5/21-28 week might be low because <i> travel to Europe might not be as heavy as other times because Americans might have other plans or obligations.</i>&quot;

And near the bottom of the thread it mentions travel on June 13 and returning on July 11 being much reduced. And why would it be reduced, because airlines are nice people, OF COURSE NOT. They are having trouble filling the seats.

Never disagreed with you that they are having trouble filling seats, just offered a response that might explain why, including a reference to the specific dates in your OP.

Having omitted mention of your June-July dates doesn't negate the comments about other reasons WHY they aren't filling seats.

And nothing I said negated anything about the point you've been trying to make or even called into question why you might have posted the comments, so there was no reason for you to go on the attack.

Remember the goal of the airline is to maximize revenue (and therefore profit). Filling up the plane is not their goal.

We paid $$1,380.00 ($690.00 each) DFW to CDG and FRA to DFW non stop sept 17 to sept 30. It cost us $992.00 to fly to Orange country California last year with a stop in Denver.

Well, since they are maximizing revenue and not filling up the plane, maybe they can offer a little free wine? and a snack better than a snack pack?

How is offering free wine = maximizing revenue?

Just got flight for $839 plus fees/taxes Boston-Madrid (non-stop)-LaCoruna in mid-July on Iberia. Airline pricing is so crazy - yesterday I could not find any fare for that route anytime in July for less than $1300.

I agree Gail. Prices goes up and down each day--maybe each hour.

Miami to Paris on American Airlines is $1,738.00 in economy. However, Paris to Miami round trip is less than half that on the same flight.

Maybe all of those foreigners coming to the States will help the governments budget.

If you are looking for a good deal, try flying into Dublin, London or DUS (can't spell it)