Travel question of the day: Simon Calder on the cost of US domestic flights
Have a travel question that needs answering? Ask our expert Simon Calder
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Q I am travelling across North America this summer and have organised most of my trip. But there are two legs that I’m having problems with because of the high fares. I need to fly from Detroit to Indianapolis on 9 August and from Indianapolis to Boston on 13 August, and the fares total more than £500 – which is more than I spent on my transatlantic tickets. What can you advise?
Lesley Andrews, Derbyshire
A While many air links in the US are as competitive as routes in Britain, you have stumbled upon a couple that are not. Non-stop flights from a city that is dominated by a single airline – as Detroit is by Delta – can be very expensive. It looks like £300 for a one-hour hop. There are alternative connections, such as via Washington DC on United, for about £110, but this involves flying for a long time in the wrong direction. So I suggest you follow the lead of Paul Simon and take a Greyhound bus from Michigan’s largest city. The fastest journey is about seven hours, and you are guaranteed to see a slice of Midwest life. The fare at greyhound.com depends on the departure you choose, but right now the most you will pay is around £25.
Between Indianapolis and Boston (a much longer trip), there is at least some competition – Delta versus Southwest – but non-stop flights are doggedly expensive. So instead choose one of the good-value connections, currently around £80: American Airlines via Philadelphia or United via Chicago or New York (Newark). I’d opt for American. It’s the fastest journey (just under four hours), it arrives at a civilised time (8pm) rather than at midnight, and Philadelphia is a much smaller and more manageable hub than the other two.
Next time, though, consider booking all your domestic flights together with your transatlantic journey; you could find that those direct domestic legs come down in price to something sensible.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments