Airlines are slashing prices left and right this summer-Delta, United, Frontier and other major carriers in an all-out price war.Just this week Southwest airlines announced roundtrip tickets for under a hundred bucks. But if you fly in and out of Rapid City you're probably wondering why these too-good-to-be true fares don't apply here.Rapid City Regional Airport's Executive Director answers the question: Where's my cheap ticket?According to CNN Money the U.S. hasn't seen airfare prices this low in a decade."I'm going to Denver, Colorado and my ticket was around $220."Nearly all major air carriers, nationally and internationally are slashing their prices, but not everyone is cashing in."I'm headed to Branson, Missouri, flying into Springfield airport and the price I paid, I bought it quite some time ago, paid about $420."420 dollars to fly 900 miles. According to gasbuddy.com the trip would have only cost $244 in gas, that's to Branson and back.Rapid City does offer some great deals if you're schedule is flexible. For example non-stop flights to Las Vegas ..."We're going to Las Vegas for the weekend and I believe it cost $850."That's airfare for two and a three night stay at the Mandalay Bay. The four-day-a-week flights on Allegiant Air are full and ticket prices are as low as $29 one way.But for those of you not interested in Vegas, say you want to go to Orlando. We checked several travel websites today to see how much a flight in August would cost. Weekday or weekend ... the average about $300.Humphries says, "Air travel is variable. The cost of tickets vary greatly from month to month, day to day, year to year."Not only do prices vary virtually by the minute, but the lack of consistently cheap airfare into or out of Rapid City has to do with the size of the airport.Humphries says, "The whole air transportation system is built on a hub and spoke system. A hub being a major airport like Denver and a spoke being a smaller airport like Rapid City."Humphries says it's always cheaper flying from hub to hub like Chicago to Denver, that's because more people are going through those airports, in turn, airliners are trying to compete for business.While Rapid City may not be considered a hub it is possible to find good deals if you're a smart traveler.A huge tip for air travelers, you'll save more if you book your flight at least 21 days out otherwise ticket prices will soar.Also check travel websites like Expedia and Orbitz. Oftentimes you'll find better deals there than on an airline's website.

Lindsay Kruger