Flying low

Has Delta Air Lines finally yielded to the anguished cries of Cincinnati travelers who yelp at the ticket prices for a trip out of Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?

The airline announced Tuesday that it has lowered fares in about 60 percent of the domestic markets served from Cincinnati.

In making the announcement, Delta Executive Vice President Glen Hauenstein said the reductions were made because fares out of Cincinnati had become “uncompetitive.” The cuts don’t exactly make rates cheap. Hauenstein said they still reflect the “continued investment required to operate one of the nation’s 10 largest hubs in Cincinnati.” Having a hub here is convenient until it comes time to pay for the tickets.

An example of the new fares cited Tuesday was a 21-day advance ticket roundtrip to Seattle and back for $478, plus taxes and fees; down from $620. If you want to drive the extra half hour to Dayton’s airport and are willing to take a flight with a stop in Atlanta for $278 plus taxes and fees. Start in Dayton, hop to Cincinnati for a 1 hour, 50 minute layover and the trip to Seattle and back is $343, all according to Delta’s Web site. Maybe the drive to Dayton isn’t such a steep price to pay.