Q. Why are non-stop fares so absurd? For example, if I book a flight from San Diego Dublin, Ireland on Delta through Atlanta, the fare is $744. For comparison, I looked at strictly booking the ATL to DUB segment and I got $785!! How can it cost more to fly less miles? The airline spends less on fuel, less on labor, less on maintenance for the aircraft, etc. I just don't get it.

A. It's simply because with all the hassle making (and missing) connections, and the time savings, more people want to fly nonstop, so the airlines know they can charge more, and they do.