I'm trying to book a trip 8/9-8/12 from Cincinnati(CVG) to Norfolk(ORF), and I am amazed at the high prices I'm seeing from all of the airlines ($415.00). All of the airports around are showing $300.00 or less but the travel has to be to/from CVG. I've looked at other dates around this time and they are just as high. Anyone have a clue why Cincy flights are so expensive?

That's the "hub premium" you're paying. DL controls that market (mainly with its Comair regional jets) so little competition from other airlines.

The high CVG fares have been well documented. That's why a lot of people drive to IND or SDF to catch a flight. And probably why the new Skybus picks CMH to be their hub, as they think they can attract some passengers from Cincinnati.

It's similar in Cleveland, though to a lessor extent. CLE is a strong CO hub, and a lot of people drive to CAK (Canton/Akron) to fly.

As rkkwan said, it comes down to one word -- Delta. It was the same in Philly & Charlotte (US hubs), Dallas/Ft. Worth (AA hub), etc. CVG is one of the last hubs without any real LCC competition to help drive fares down. If cost is an issue, try Southwest out of Columbus, or AirTran to Newport News from Dayton. Or, you could also check Delta's fares from these cities. If their fare is acceptable to you & if the CVG-ORF portion is on a Delta Connection flight & if you only bring a carry-on, you could just hop off at CVG on the last portion of your flight. Good luck!

Although DL certainly takes advantage of its very strong position in Cincy (and yet I doubt CVG earns mega $$$ for DL - LAX, JFK and ATL all seem to be taking priority nowdays), people in Cincy do benefit from a route network that is artificially higher than the city probably deserves, solely due to the DL hub.

CVG should be quite profitable for DL.

And yes, the terms "hub premium" doesn't only mean high fares. But also lots of non-stop flights. Does Indianapolis or Louisville or Pittsburgh get non-stops to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris and Rome?

Even Cleveland only gets a seasonal London flight (and a year round Paris starting next year).

rkkwan, I agree -- CVG should be restored to its former glory. On the last DL flight I took (last month), I talked with one of the FAs, who agreed. She said that many people (like me) resist having to deal with ATL or JFK, because they are congested pits.

Thanks for all of the info regarding Cincy. It makes more sense now, but I still think the fares are crazy. Unfortunately, the flight has to begin and end at CVG due to time constraints.