Out of curiosity, I checked airline fares

[SeattleGirl]

Sunday, I booked a flight to Vegas for my husband and me. Got a pretty decent price on Alaska. Given the crazy crap going on at the gas pumps, and talk of canceling flights, etc, thought I'd check to see if prices had gone up. I entered the identical info as the flight I booked, and the price is still the same. My flight originates in Seattle, but from what I'm reading and seeing, this "gas crisis" thing is hitting us all over the place. I'm curious to see if airline prices end up going through the roof like gas prices are.

[jessicazi]

1. maybe for some airlines.

Southwest buys fuel at a set price or something strange, so they are not affected by rising fuel costs as much as other airlines.

[SeattleGirl]

2. Not sure if Alaska does that

When I was searching for flights, I checked Expedia, Orbitz, Southwest, and Alaska. Alaska had the lowest price, about $20 or $30 lower than Southwest, which was next lowest. I have flown Southwest to Vegas before as they were the lowest at the time, but Alaska was the winner this time.

Speaking of deals the airlines might make for fuel, I wonder if this whole gas thing will affect those deals.

[jessicazi]

5. Alaska Airlines scares me

and I am less than impressed with their customer service. But, I have to fly Horizon if I want to fly right out of Pocatello (or Delta, but I have to stop in Salt Lake City-but I dislike Delta).

[Sgent]

3. Southwest

has enough capital to use gasoline futures.

This means they can lock in their cost of gasoline for up to 18 months in advance -- just like anyone else can.

It essentially works like insurance -- you pay a premium which may not pay off if gas remains steady or goes down. On the other hand...

[SeattleGirl]

4. That makes sense

Thanks for the info!