Date: May 4, 2015
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics released its 4th quarter 2014 airfare data, showing Wichita’s fare increased just .5 percent to $392.71 from $390.83 in the 4th quarter 2013. The U.S. average domestic air fare increased 2.0 percent to $393 in the 4th quarter of 2014, up from $385 in the fourth quarter of 2013, adjusted for inflation.
In the 4th quarter 2000, Wichita’s average fare (adjusted for inflation) was $565.42, the 16th highest fare of the top 100 airports in the U.S. Wichita’s 4th quarter 2014 fare is 30.5% less than in 2000, and has fallen to the 54th highest out of the top 100 U.S. airports.
Comparing average fares in the region, Tulsa and Oklahoma City have higher fares than Wichita; Kansas City’s fare remains less, but not by much.
Tulsa $426.79
Oklahoma City $415.13
Kansas City $371.85
Wichita $392.71
U.S. Average $392.66
Low cost carrier Southwest Airlines provides the competition needed to keep fares in Wichita affordable. When researching fares, all Southwest fares are only found at www.southwest.com. Other booking sites do not publish all of Southwest’s fares.