So yeah, I’m 18 and I’ve never been on a plane before. Oct. 10 I’m planning to fly to Chicago to visit a friend in college, and returning on the 12th-13th.
I’ve looked around some websites for fares, but the cheapest I’ve come across is around $190 roundtrip.
Can anyone suggest anything that might prove to be cheaper, or more economic?
Thanks 
Check with ALL the travel sites, and airlines (NorthWest, SouthWest etc) and see if you can find it for less. Also, talk to a travel agent and see if they’d be willing to help you. You never know.
And just a word to the wise: I had never flown in a Big Plane (as opposed to a cessna) until I was 22. When boarding the plane itself, don’t turn left - turn right to find your seat. I turned left, into the cockpit :o, met 3 really nice guys from Atlanta who very kindly helped me find where I belonged. :rolleyes:
$190 round trip is a pretty fair-to-cheap price for that flight. When I had a long-distance boyfriend in Detroit and went to William & Mary, the cheapest I ever found was $165 Richmond-Detroit.
United has their “hub” in Chicago’s O’Hare. I would focus on any deals they may be offering, since they will likely offer the largest number of direct flights.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Richmond’s airport is hardly bustling with activity. Are they up to 10 gates yet? This is bad for you because you don’t have many flights to choose from. Is leaving from Norfolk or Newport News an option? (more options, sometimes means more savings… not always)
Actually, I was planning to fly out of D.C. from IAD or Reagan.