Originally Posted by
Phteven
What really should count is what passengers are actually paying. I pulled up some numbers from the BTS DB1BMarket data table comparing NK and WN. Here you go:
LAS - FLL, Q1/2015, 10% sample of all purchased tickets (approx. 200-300 tickets per carrier).
Mean fare on NK: $153.89, mean fare on WN: $234.50
Max fare on NK: $583, max fare on WN: $712.15
Distribution of fares is normal and almost identical between both carriers.
These are "itinerary fares" which account for base fares + baggage, big front seat upgrade, etc. Not 100% certain if it includes buy-on-board food and drinks, but even if doesn't it looks like if you pay an average of less than $80 per fight for soda and snacks on NK that you'll come out ahead.
Also figured since this is a longer flight, it would probably show NK closer to WN than typical (i.e. more likely for checked bags and BOB purchases). Comparing LAS - LAX the difference in average fares is much larger.
Tell us more Mr. Wizard.
"A low-cost, low-fare carrier such as Spirit Airlines Inc. makes its living on passenger fees. That those fees, known as non-ticket revenue, dropped by more than $2 per passenger in the first quarter, compared to a year ago, might suggest a shift in travelers' tolerance for additional charges.
Spirit blames its sagging fee tally on low fares: Travelers seeking out the lowest fares have had plenty of choices, with a raft of bargain flights, some below $50, departing from cities nationwide. Those price-sensitive travelers enticed by the lowest of low prices tend to avoid racking up additional fees"