MSY to NYC or BOS is normally a pretty standard domestic route. Even last minute it usually doesn’t sniff $1,500 in economy unless something very specific is going on.
Most likely explanations:
You’re looking at peak event dates (big conference, holiday, sports weekend).
It’s very last minute and only full fare Y buckets are left.
There’s limited nonstop inventory and the system is pricing weird connections.
Sometimes one airline spikes pricing and the others follow because demand is strong.
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