mediumone
Contributor
I will never understand airfares...It's unbelievable. Last November (2015) I flow from PHX to CZM for $290 RT. In February (2016) I found an airfare from PHX to CZM for $325. I blinked and it was gone. I watch the airfares to CZM and they had been running about $825 RT PHX to CZM. Two weeks ago I checked again and the airfare was $565. Now I'm going to CZM in August. I rechecked the same flights yesterday and the same RT airfare was $1450. Go figure.
Check the number of available seats, and it will probably help explain, although the available seats shown do not always reflect the actual number of available seats. US Airways was famous for this. (But in most other respects, I loved them. For example, if they knew your connecting flight was late, they'd hold the plane. American Airlines will shut the door in your face, and laugh about it.)
The airlines use a methodology to maximize their profits. If you were running the airline, would you share with me the way to get the cheapest ticket? You've flown enough that you know when you see a great price. Buy it.