I have to visit my GF in Osaka japan and i was wondering what is the best(cheapest) time and airlines to fly?

October. September. End of April- beginning of May. February.

Last fall, United had rountrips, taxes and fees included, for around $450 from the U.S. The lowest fares were their E-fares.

American also had some great fares last fall to Japan.

The fall fares were actually lower to Osaka than to Tokyo.

We flew from Atlanta to Nagoya in May for $438 roundtrip on United. They were inaugurating the new (or updated) airport in Nagoya, hence the promotional fares. Keep a watch on airlines' corporate websites (investor relations) because you will often hear announcements of new routes there, first. New routes or additional routes or times usually mean a promotional fare.

kswl, I think that you must have travelled at the end of April or beginning of May, is that right?

kswl, I just found your April post. I think that yours was an E-fare and/or a special offer because of Golden Week.

The Nagoya intro fares were actually higher (I bought one of those). The original offer required purchase by Jan 31. It was extended through February and maybe March, but not later than that, I think.

My point being that those cheap fares are likely to come back (a bit higher) and be available to take OP to Osaka. And for your return trip to Nagoya or to Tokyo.

You're right, MrWonderful, we did purchase the tickets in April, but the promotion was definitely for the inaguration of the "new" Nagoya airport. I had no idea that it was Golden Week until we had already bought the tickets and were making plans--that was a lucky coincidence (Tokyo was pretty empty and accessible because everyone was traveling). But Golden Week was not mentioned on the airline website, whereas the Nagoya Centro airport opening was the stated reason for the fare. I think the Expo was also mentioned--