Not trying to sound rude (so just know that isn't my tone), but why make a
comment that airfare is expensive now when I can find tickets literally 25% of the price you cited?
I assume in your time flying you've grown to understand there really isn't much of a difference between any major airline in the US if you know how they each operate ahead of time, at least, in my less flying than you (but still significant) I've honestly only had a problem with Delta and Southwest, never Spirit/Frontier/Norwegian/Lufthansa/HK Airlines/British Airways/Virgin/AirFrance/Alitalia, etc. Personal experiences aren't particularly the best to extrapolate data unless you have a large sample size, which you do, so I don't know, I just don't quite get what's so elite about delta's base coach over competitors that justifies spending 2-4 times more on.
I mean, even if someone bought food on the plane, got a checked bag, and bought a portable charger because someone didn't know that Spirit didn't have TVs and they needed to charge their phone to watch Netflix on their 4-hour flight, it would still be way cheaper than Delta/United/American, so I don't really see the point in relying on one airline like
Delta when competitors offer colossal discounts, especially for such a short flight.
That is of course if price matters to you, it might not, but
you commented on it, so just food for thought. I'm willing to go on more trips than I otherwise would be able to if it means I don't get to go on a better-branded plane or stay at an $800 a night hotel and choose a $150 one because frankly, there is zero difference for a short flight so long as it's safe, and likewise for a hotel if it is purely an accommodation to rest at night. If I was in a situation where the only way I could even afford one vacation to anywhere, I would also take budget airlines where possible, as unless it's on a company's dime that doesn't impact me, I've become disillusioned by the cuts Delta and others have had to their service and food quality and leg-room that the cabin experience is legitimately equal to Delta for me.
I've been on a fix recently of trying to do more unexpected trips (beyond just Disney) as cheaply as possible but not sacrificing the overall quality and I've realized airline tickets and hotels are such a massive money-sink that finding the best value for those two items legitimately can have zero impact on just routine vacations. Now if someone is time limited and they can only do 1 trip and can afford it, by all means, splurge, but I think the average person overspends for no reason other than the
feeling a brand provides, when the net difference with its opportunity cost reveals overspending.
