Given the high level of anger we hear about from flight attendants, I don’t think people are happy to be treated this way.
Whenever possible we fly Southwest. Reasonable and rational fares, free luggage, and for a small increment you can be guaranteed an early boarding position and thus a good seat.
Airline prices have always been odd in a stochastic way. They, like many businesses, want to charge as much as they can for the flight and extras. They charge a lot for little upgrades in status or comfort. Advertised prices used to be low, but not always available. Loyalty programs were good but very limited. Prices were high for popular flights but the airline has no interest in unused seats and good deals could be had on those willing to wait, flexible in dates, willing to fly at early and late hours, and who frequently reassessed things.
Covid obviously hurt the industry and lack of workers remains a problem in Canada. Consumer confidence has not recovered and fuel prices are close to peak levels. Airlines have responded by making most bookings one-way each way. Fuel surcharges are extra and prices can be high. Less popular routes may be more likely to be cancelled. But the problem of unsold seats is still there. Presumably there are still some deals and they say prices will go down this autumn. One guesses deals are less good and less frequent but I hope things stabilize, sooner rather than later. It is an important industry. Transat, one Canuck airline, lost $100m last year on revenues of $500m - not terrible during a pandemic, but they will be seeking to remedy this, as will other airlines.
One trades-off cost and convenience most of the time. I like both and try to get a decent deal. But being too cheap, too demanding or too unwilling to put up with piddling quibbles is not helpful, as they regrettably are part and parcel of travel.
300 - 400??!! Whoa. How large is your house? I have lived in 3 level townhomes in the Northern VA area - 90s humid in summer/20s and below in the winter - but I don’t think I have ever had a utility bill higher than $180 (summer). The space I live is about 2,000 sq feet. (3 bedrooms)
But don’t take my word for the airline industry.
Seriously? Mine are always over $400. Sometimes twice that
But my wife does leave the refrigerator door open longer than I think she should.
Dunno about her but it costs me almost $4,000 a year to heat my 1200 square foot home with propane in New Hampshire, and according to the program you can check in with to possibly get a free energy audit this is actually not high compared to the state average (so no free audit for me).
Our electric bills just doubled in August too. The upper northeast is insanely expensive for all energy costs, as both oil and natural gas customers are also screwed over.
Same sq ft here too. Single family walkout. Older updated cottage with 2 story addition. Lots of windows, but all have pleated cellular shades that help with keeping heat and drafts out.
Three heating systems. Natural gas forced air for main house, electric forced air for upstairs area of addition with infloor heat in the main floor area. Which we probably compromised it’s efficiency by laying vinyl plank flooring over the slab. Would prefer now to remove the VP and redo it with a metallic epoxy coating.
$300-400 in winter with thermostat set at 66-68F
Rarely turn on the AC in summer, yet bills are $110-130. Used to be closer to $80.