> don't you pay the same fixed rate per flight in the US? In a word, no. --- Flights in the US are dynamically priced. Each airline decides how much they wan

> don't you pay the same fixed rate per flight in the US? In a word, no. --- Flights in the US are dynamically priced. Each airline decides how much they want to charge per particular flight for a particular person at a particular time (meaning, when you purchase the ticket). Prices fluctuate constantly. If you look up a flight from City A to City B today (and said flight departs within a reasonable amount of time; say, a month), it's fairly likely to have a different price tomorrow. Prices can also vary based upon how you book the ticket (i.e. travel agent, different travel websites, by phone, etc.). It's very much possible, and generally expected, that you and the person you're sitting next to paid different amounts for what amounts to the same ticket.