Ok, I went a-looking at airfares to Europe (window shopping when you get down to it).
Now, I understand the idea of offering a discounted return fare...that makes sense (look at the old fare tables for trains, and you'll find a 5-10% discount for a return within six months or so). But why is a round trip to Europe usually in the $700-800 range (as near as I can tell) while a one-way ticket (well, at least one not involving some slightly insane connections through Istanbul or Moscow and layovers that make the traditional Chicago layover look brief) tends to run about $1200+ (and can get hilariously insane if you're not careful)?
Mind you, air fares are more alien to me than the Moon's surface (I've at least looked at the former with a telescope growing up), so...thoughts here? And while I'm at it, the natural question comes to mind: If the differential is so awful, even if I'm doing a multi-city trip in Europe, why wouldn't I just pay for the round trip and no-show for the return leg each way?
Now, I understand the idea of offering a discounted return fare...that makes sense (look at the old fare tables for trains, and you'll find a 5-10% discount for a return within six months or so). But why is a round trip to Europe usually in the $700-800 range (as near as I can tell) while a one-way ticket (well, at least one not involving some slightly insane connections through Istanbul or Moscow and layovers that make the traditional Chicago layover look brief) tends to run about $1200+ (and can get hilariously insane if you're not careful)?
Mind you, air fares are more alien to me than the Moon's surface (I've at least looked at the former with a telescope growing up), so...thoughts here? And while I'm at it, the natural question comes to mind: If the differential is so awful, even if I'm doing a multi-city trip in Europe, why wouldn't I just pay for the round trip and no-show for the return leg each way?