gabebash

We're planning a family trip to London over spring break at the beginning of April. When should I start looking for airfares? What should I expect to pay? I did a search earlier today and came up with $413 pp/rt. Is that a good fare? We'll be traveling out of Washington, DC. Thanks!

Dietdoctor

From my limited experience (I am sure some of the more veteran users will respond), it is a bit of a crap shoot.

I booked a roundtrip fare with British Airways 6-8 weeks ago for $676.00 leaving nonstop from Atlanta next week. As the weeks passed and I kept rechecking the fares I watched them drop BELOW $500 for the same plane! When I called BA about possible recourse, I was rebuffed. Now, this week, I guess to fleece those booking late, the fares are back up over $1500 for the SAME plane.

I am sure the airlines have SOME logic to their fare madness, but I certainly have not figured it out! Your current quoted fare seems good to me.

Have a great trip,

Cheers,

Ron

Christina

I think that's a very good fare for Spring, especially if it includes the taxes/fees. I don't really know the best time for booking myself. I usually have major plans for my vacations so I can't risk not getting to/from a certain city on a certain date, so I tend to book airfare about 3-4 months ahead, no later. I am also particular about wanting nonstops, if possible, and the airlines or places I go through, so usually only have a couple choices of flights I really want.

I've paid about $700-800 RT from DC to London in peak season, and I've seen fares about $400-500 in low season (winter). It is extremely rare to see a fare RT to London less than $400. IN short, if that fare includes all fess, I would book it, you aren't going to get much better. I might add that is Easter holiday period so flights could get booked up.

curmudgeon

In past years, the best spring fare sales have seemed to come in mid-january. These are often for "depart before Mar 31, return by Apr 15". A couple of times we've gotten around $300-350 (including tx) from the west coast (east coast fares were more like $250-280). These are typically for the less used departure days which may clash with fitting around school vacations). BUT, airlines have cut quite a bit of capacity in the last couple of years, so it is not so easy to predict what sales will happen this year.

Wayne

Your best available price is probably going to be determined by your fortitude. If you have a little courage and a somewhat flexible schedule, you will probably find sales by several of the airlines early in the year. Naturally, spring break time is not the most advantageous time to go, price-wise; and since you do have a fairly firm schedule, you shouldn't explore fares too long before choosing. I have found the best deals to be those that offer a combination of hotel and airfare. Maybe you'll come across something like that. Good luck.

ira

Hi,

Take a look at http://airtravelcenter.com/onetrav.htm

You have to keep in mind that it there is no rhyme or reason to air fares. I recently booked a flight to Paris, at what I thought was a very good price (less than my fare three years ago), and then the stinkers had a sale for $100 less.