[topdrop]

My wife and I have recently returned from Sth America flying Business class with Lan Chile. When I started looking the cheapest we could find SYD SCL return was around $9500. Using the Lan website, we booked return to EZE, the fare came down to $7100 - fly further for a cheaper rate - they are obviously trying to come close to Aerolineas Argentinas fare.
We thoroughly enjoyed the flight with Lan, just a pity they don't have the flat beds on the Pacific run.

[albatross710]

Originally Posted by topdrop

fly further for a cheaper rate - .

Thanks for reminding me about this. Last year I flew SQ to Milan with the aircraft continuing onto Barcelona. I thought it interesting that you can fly on the same aircraft, same flight, go further for $8 less.

[JohnK]

This happens quite a lot with most airlines.

One interesting example is MH business class airfare SGN-KUL-SYD is considerably cheaper than MH business class airfare KUL-SYD.

[albatross710]

It makes sense to me for SGN-KUL-SYD to be lower cost on a value basis because there is an "inconvenience" factor ie flight takes longer, more stops so less "value" compared to the more direct flight.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by albatross710

It makes sense to me for SGN-KUL-SYD to be lower cost on a value basis because there is an "inconvenience" factor ie flight takes longer, more stops so less "value" compared to the more direct flight.

It does not make sense to me. This particular deal has to be due to some sort of direct competition, eg Vietnam Airlines SGN-SYD route with or without QF codeshare.

The reason I mention this example is look at the MH business class airfares HAN-KUL-SYD, BKK-KUL-SYD, TPE-KUL-SYD, HKG-KUL-SYD, PNH-KUL-SYD and you will notice that they are considerably more expensive than the MH business class airfare SGN-KUL-SYD and not cheaper than the MH business class airfare KUL-SYD.

[simongr]

Originally Posted by albatross710

It makes sense to me for SGN-KUL-SYD to be lower cost on a value basis because there is an "inconvenience" factor ie flight takes longer, more stops so less "value" compared to the more direct flight.

Not sure that sounds right - you are comparing KUL-SYD with SGN-KUL-SYD - sure there is inconvenience flyign SGN-KUL-SYD but it is a completely different route.

I think for your example you would have to be compare something like kul-syd-mel to kul-mel and I would agree then that the rerouting discount would be fair - but airlines are anything but afir

[HardieBoys]

The listed QF J fare from SYD - EZE is over $11000!