Cathay Pacific return fares 5 times cheaper than one-way fare. Why?

[browski]

I'm looking to book a flight to Sri Lanka and CX has a great CMB arrival time (before midnight) when compared to UL, EK, SQ etc. So, I'm looking to book the CX flight from SIN-CMB one-way since I'll then be heading elsewhere after CMB.
Anyway, on the CX website, the one-way flight is priced at SGD $2070.
A Return flight using the same departure date is priced at SGD $450.

So.........I'm happy to buy the return fare and just not use the return sector, but is this normal or am I missing something?
I can understand if the one-way fare is the same price as a return fare, but I've never seen it higher than a return fare.

 

[anat0l]

I'm looking to book a flight to Sri Lanka and CX has a great CMB arrival time (before midnight) when compared to UL, EK, SQ etc. So, I'm looking to book the CX flight from SIN-CMB one-way since I'll then be heading elsewhere after CMB.
Anyway, on the CX website, the one-way flight is priced at SGD $2070.
A Return flight using the same departure date is priced at SGD $450.

So.........I'm happy to buy the return fare and just not use the return sector, but is this normal or am I missing something?
I can understand if the one-way fare is the same price as a return fare, but I've never seen it higher than a return fare.

Your observation is very normal; at least that is my experience with CX, particularly in Y.

You'll probably find that if you book the one-way, it books into a higher fare bucket (e.g. highest flexible fare) compared to if you book a return.

Many Euro fares booked with the legacy carriers (e.g. LH) will also price similarly.

I'm not sure if CX sell many one-ways at "reasonable" prices, but in my short experience I have to book a return otherwise I'll be hit high. I've never toyed with throwaway ticketing, though.

 

[thewinchester]

Concur with anat0l, this isn't a new thing either. Found this out myself back in 2010 when I had a similar question.

Take a look at what the price differences are for the cost in J, as it may be worth just buying the one way in business.

 

[brett-au]

This was the only reason I ever used a travel agent. They could book a cheaper fare bucket than what was being offered online.

Also look at some of the circle fares that star alliance and one world offer.

 

[clifford]

I just booked SIN-CMB on Tiger. All up cost was approx AUD 80. Departs SIN @ 09:15 and arrives CMB 10:45. Very civilised IMHO.

Why would you pay a fortune more to fly CX? I wouldn't.