ELI5… Why do airlines offer super cheap tickets instead of leaving the plane empty?

Question

I’m considering getting one of those cheap tickets you see which is a direct round trip from MSP to Orlando for $60 including fees (it wasnt the date i wanted but it was cheap). How does that make economic sense for the airline? Sure the plane is making the trip anyway, but how can hauling my 200lbs of man meat 1500miles for $30 each direction not more than offset the fuel?

In: Economics

Answer 1

Remember, the plane is on a schedule. It needs to be at the destination, whether loaded with passengers or not, so that it can carry out the NEXT flight. Cancelling that flight could incur a huge cost to the airline.

EDIT: On re-reading your question, that wasn’t what you were asking. Ignore my comment.