Imagine you have a huge box of cookies. If you sell them all for one dollar each early in the day, you get some money but maybe not enough. But if you wait, hungry peoplewill pay three dollars just to grab one before dinner. Airlines do this with seats!
The Cookie Box
Think of every airplane seat like a cookie that expires when the plane takes off. Once the door closes, that empty seat is worth zero dollars. It cannot be saved for later.
Why Some Cost Less
Some people need to fly on specific days for work or family visits. They are desperate and will pay more. Airlines save their "best" seats for these people and sell cheaper tickets early so they know some seats will be filled.
The Secret Code
Airlines watch how many tickets are sold. If a flight is filling up fast, the price goes up like a balloon. If many seats are still empty close to departure, the price drops quickly to attract last-minute travelers who want a bargain.