"Airline Price Wars: $29 Flights Return as Off-Season Seating Demand Soars"

Airlines are offering discounted fares as they try to fill a record number of seats this quarter, with Southwest Airlines offering one-way fares as low as $29. The increased capacity in the industry has led to more seats to fill, prompting airlines to drop last-minute fares or not raise them as much as usual. However, airlines are facing challenges in balancing off-season demand, as they typically generate the majority of their revenue during the busy spring and summer seasons. Despite falling fares, holiday demand remains strong, and airlines are adjusting their capacity deployment strategies to address shifting demand patterns. While promotional fares may stabilize next year, it is uncertain how inflation and hiring trends will impact future pricing strategies.