annetti

We are flying from LAX to Vancouver this summer and plan to spend 5 weeks in Vancouver. When should we buy plane tickets? Do we need to plan 6 months ahead like we do when traveling to Europe or can we purchase tickets a couple of months or even a month before our trip? We are pretty flexible about the days of the week we travel. Thanks for any thoughts you might have on this subject.

traveller69

Hi Annetti

It depends on how many of you are traveling etc. You don't need to book 6 months ahead but I would watch Alaska Airlines for their specials. Summer of course is peak time but if you can travel mid week you have a better chance at a deal. I would certainly book 3 months ahead. I do that flight quite often and have been able to get some great last minute deals even in the summer but that is just a single. I would keep trying on kyak to see what is being offered. Try to get an Alaska flight though I have found them to be the best.

annetti

Traveller69: You are so helpful. There will be two of us traveling. You anticipated my next question: Which is the best airline to use? We will start checking for flights in the next couple of months. I will check Kyak and Alaska web sites. Thanks very much.

geosand

Another airline to watch is westjet -found at www.westjet.com ( a canadian airline) they often have the best fare. They are comparable to Alaska in terms of service. Westjet has frequent sales - like today they have a one day sale with 50% off flights for travel until early March. They repeat these offer throughout the year so i would sign up for their email alerts.

annetti

Geosand: Thank you. I checked the website. Unfortunately there are no direct flights between LAX and YVR. I found a good deal on Air Canada and a slightly higher price on United. I can't seem to find a direct flight on Alaska Airlines that is anywhere near as cheap at AC or United. What are the downsides of flying Air Canada? Is it comfort (not a real problem on a 3 hour flight) or is it serious problems like high percentage of lost luggage and not sticking to arrival and departure times? Is it worth $40 more to fly United rather than AC or almost $200 more to fly Alaska? Thanks again.

traveller69

Geosand is right Westjet is a great airline however their flights from LAX to YVR are all through Calgary. If the price were right it might be worth it but it does add a lot of time to the flight.

traveller69

Hi Annetti - I was late posting my Westjet post. What dates are you putting in? Air Canada is fine. I am surprised that they are so much cheaper than Alaska because Westjet is close to the same fare as Alaska. Are you checking for July?

traveller69

Annetti - I have been checking fares in late June/July and Air Canada on their Tango flights fare is approx $565 inc tax. Alaska is $509 inc. tax. Did you find the fare on Kayak or the airline website? Do they both have taxes in? Some of the websites show fares for each way separately -could that be it? You have me curious now.

annetti

I am putting in Tu June 24 from LAX to YVR and a return on Tu July 29th. Since I am flexible on the day of the week, I checked weekend rates, too, but it does not seem to make a difference. It IS substanially cheaper to fly West Jet, but I just don't feel it is worth it, to spend 7 or more hours flying a route that should take less then 3 and having stop overs. There is always a further chance of delays each time you change planes and further chance of lost luggage. West Jet has a ticket for $220, however I am not really sure if that is one way or round trip. It was not clear (at least to me!) on the website. I suspect it is each way. The price is just too cheap. Thanks for the info Traveller 69 re AC. It sounds like that may be our best option,

annetti

No, I did not find the lower flight prices on the Alaska website or on AC? I found it by calling a consolidator here in LA. I did check the AC and Alaska websites and interestingly found slightly different prices than you, but only varying by $10 or $15. It looks like you were responding to my post at the same time as I was writing an answer.

geosand

Air Canada is absolutely fine very comparable to United and Alaska. I would keep an eye on westjet as well as I have flown direct to LAX. The cheapest option is usually to fly to Seattle but then you have a bus ride to Vancouver - the shuttle does leave from the SEA airport. Not sure of cost.

annetti

Geosand: Do you think that $220 price I saw posted on West Jet was for a round trip flight? If that is the case, and you can fly direct from LAX to YVR occasionally , I won't commit myself to a flight and take a wait and see attitude with West Jet? Thank you.

traveller69

Annetti - If you were on the WestJet website the amount you saw for $220 was a one way fare. If you scroll down you will see return fares as well. I would just keep an eye on things right now as better deals may come along. For the same money you could get a direct flight lax to yvr.

annetti

Traveller69: Again, thank you.