When to book airfare for May 2013
 

We're planning a trip to Southern Spain in May 2013. I thought I'd check prices, and they were astonishingly low - RT for under $900. But NO direct flights from Washington DC to Madrid.

So does that mean that there are never nonstop flights to Madrid? I find that hard to believe. I"d love to book at these prices, but I also would like nonstop. Any insight?

Thanks very much,
Alice

It's quite possible that there are no nonstop flights. Not every international airline flies to Dulles. Your most likely airlines would be either United or Iberia, but I would hesitate to book that far in advance on Iberia since there is some chance it will be back in bankruptcy by then and who knows what will happen. If you want to book this flight, consider a British Airways flight (which codeshares with Iberia).

I'd actually look into booking now. Lufthansa just released a big sale on airfares to Europe up through May. I suspect similar prices may be found on other airlines.

I took a look at itasoftware for Feb through June: no nonstops for that route, IAD-MAD.

Thanks.

Okay, I was afraid that there were no nonstops - when I see connections in Newark and NY, that's usually a good clue.

Is now the time to book? (Not Iberia). When we went to France in early June last year, the prices were considerably higher.

Alice

I booked the flights for our May 2013 river cruise months ago because we need specific flight times on BA from LHR to Prague on the outbound and from BUD to LHR on the return and I didn't know how quickly the flights would fill up.

We paid $1230 pp for tickets from IAH - DFW - LHR - PRG then BUD - LHR - DFW - IAH.

So, now you are wondering if the fares will be more than "astonishingly low" at some point in the future.

I try to watch prices for future trips. They DO go up and down, without warning. When I see a price that I am willing to pay, I buy the ticket. If it drops a little more, that's always a possibility, but if I'm happy with what I paid, so what!

BettyK, you are taking the same river cruise that a friend has just finished, and my DH and I will probably try to do next August! Hope you enjoy it.

The only reason not to buy NOW is if nonstop flights open up, but after what I've heard here and doing some looking around, I don't think that's going to happen.

The fares have gone up a little, so I'll wait until Tuesday, fares are usually better then (am I right about the day?).

Now, it occurs to me that our final destination GOING is Sevilla - maybe I should look for someplace I can get to nonstop that has nonstop to Sevilla (although the latter probably doesn't have many options). Vayama and Kayak didn't provide any good options.... We'll be flying back from Madrid though.

But it would be nice to get this done NOW, then I can start booking lodging.

Thanks everyone.
Alice

#simpsonc510, ours is a Gate 1 cruise and it's our first river cruise. Looking forward to it and will definitely write a trip report.

There won't be a non-stop when you're fly, you are definitely fixed on the trip and the price is good. Therefore, no reason to wait.

(BettyK... I just searched for Gate 1. Wow! I like what I see. I'm glad I've not yet booked a Viking cruise!!! Thx!)

...sorry, Alice9....

rkkwan, you're right, and I'm making sure of our dates and waiting for next week, because weekends generally aren't the best time.

Alice

simpsonc510, if you are interested in Gate 1, call Vacations to Go. I got an additional discount by booking with them. They are based here in Houston where I live.

Thanks, Betty. Great suggestion! We're not ready to book yet. But I'd love to get a brochure.