This week’s farewatch takes a closer look at Southwest’s average fares for a recent 12-month period on its main non-stop routes from Dallas Love Field. Using US Department of Transportation statistics from the last quarter of 2006 to the third quarter of 2007 the average one-way fare on each of 15 routes has been determined.
Source: US Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation Analysis
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| A press ad for Southwest from 1977 highlighting the range of Texas destinations served from its Love Field base. |
When weighted by frequency it suggests that the average one-way fare to/from Dallas Love Field with Southwest is around $101. When plotted against sector length it becomes clearer as to which routes may be the most and least profitable. New Orleans (MSY) and Albuquerque (ABX) appear to be the most expensive and possibly most profitable while St Louis (STL) which is 25% further than New Orleans is 26% cheaper in average fare. Flights to St Louis (and Kansas) only started in December 2005 after a change to the Wright Amendment allowed Missouri to be added to the list of states that could be served directly from Love Field.
The cheapest fares, on average, are available on flights to Amarillo, which should at least keep Tony Christie fans happy.
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