I was planning on going to the tennis at Roland Garros at the end of May. I noticed flights are currently in the 900 USD range. When I went 2 years ago the flight was around 550 USD. I was wondering if people have gotten better fares recently. And, how?

Sometimes the fares come down as you get closer to the date. However, this depends on many factors. So, I was wondering if any one has heard of sales, or recent experiences on getting fares to Paris (or Europe). Thanks for your input.

I've not checked Paris, but there was a sale/mistake on Travelocity for Virgin to London. I tried Memorial Day weekend and I could actually fly JFK to LHR for $413 (as advertised here).

If that's still available and you've the time, you can take Eurostar between Paris and London.

I've noticed that fares seem higher this higher. I just $870 for a four-segment trip to Europe in April, but even Paris airfares were close to $700.

Our JFK-NCE were $670 a month ago for early May. Agree in trying to get to London and use an intraEurope airline/train to get to Paris. Be aware that Cannes festival, Grand Prix, Roland Garros, all those events are impacting prices.

Out of curiosity, I went back to airfare discussion threads for the January-June periods in 2005 and 2006.

Guess what?

The exact same conversations, questions, issues about airfares that are going on right now.

Keep in mind that past performance is no guarantee of future, etc....but people in January-March were highly concerned because airfares were in the $900-1200 range (depending on departure and arrival locations) for the summer. Should I buy now? Should I wait? I bought in November for $1000 and I'm glad I did because it's up to $1100 today. etc., etc., etc.

Then by late March into April and May, you see postings from people reporting they scored deals in the $500-$800 range for summer travel.

Fuel costs are higher this year, so who knows if things will play out the same this year? But it will be interesting to see what happens to prices beginning in mid to late-March.

I too will be travelling from New York to Paris this May. Though I haven't done any extensive search yet, the prices shouldn't be in the $900 USD range.

I just did a quick search on American Airlines' website <www.aa.com>, for a direct flight from JFK~CDG at the end of May, only costs about $680 USD. They were offering sale fares before, but only until travel till end of March. They do, and among other airlines, have good sales periodically. But not sure if you have the luxury (or luck) to wait around.

I will keep on checking for prices for NYC~CDG, and I'll keep you posted when I come across with good fares. Hope you'll do the same too. Good luck!

Last month (about 3 weeks ago), I purchased RT on Continental - Newark Liberty to CDG for $654. The price was the same on Air France but I wanted the 10pm departure offered only by Continental as I'm flying on a Monday (April 17) and I didn't want to take the day off (I prefer to take off the day after returning). Last year, for my EWR-CDG flight in June, the price was $615 on Air France (I purchased those tickets on Jan 1). I know the gurus indicate that the prices drop closer to the date but that's never been my experience.

I see your point, Rufus, but I've noticed that airfares this year seem slightly higher. Apparently my May airfare to London last year was $463 for end of May, but it seems like fares are higher this year (except for that Virgin fare).

I usually pay extra also because I tend to fly in and out on weekends.

Like I said--it will be interesting to see what happens this year.

Rufus, you have given me hope. I always wait and have never failed to score really, really good prices even for peak summer.

The sale on Virgin ran just over the weekend of Feb. 11th - to very early on the 13th.

Does anyone have suggestions for good sources for less expensive fares to Paris from the middle of the US? I'm in Colorado, and we never see the sales, etc. from the East Coast cities. I usually go to Europe in early summer or winter, but I'm a poor professor with an NEH grant for July 3-August 3. The fares start at 1300 from Denver and Colorado Springs. I'd appreciate any tips on how and when to find more affordable airfares-- this price eats up about half my budget. I scan several times daily kayak, sidestep, travelocity, expedia, orbitz, united and stn. I clear out my cookies and temporary files before each search. Thanks.