Are We Really Facing an Airfare Disaster?

September 19, 6:37 AMBest Value Travel ExaminerDT Regula

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The word is out - airlines are idling planes and cutting capacity. Fares are going to shoot up permanently - or are they?

I don't believe it. So far, I've noticed that international flights are holding their price points - and I just booked a flight a day before I boarded the plane, paying the same price  I would have paid for a 30-day notice trip last year.  Gas prices have dropped (though not the fuel surcharges.....) and while airlines are trying to increase revenue per passenger, they can't collect extra baggage fees and meal and snack charges from passengers who never board the plane. 

I expect that there will be a temporary attempt at price hikes and then a fall-back as airlines realize they still need to fill their remaining seats somehow - probably by lowering prices or adding back amenities we've now learned to live without.