LA to Italy/Spain This Summer - Why so Expensive?
 

I think I might be doing something wrong, but flights from last summer to this summer seem to have gone up at least 500 dollars from LA to pretty much anywhere in Europe. I am trying to fly my brother out to visit me for a few weeks in late June/ early July (time period is unfortunately non-negotiable), and it's looking pretty nightmarish. Ideally, he would depart from LA on Monday, June 21st and leave from Seville (where I live) on Monday, July 12th.

The only pieces of our itinerary set in stone are ending in Seville (where everything I own is) and going to Rome (he wants to see the Vatican). My original thought was to fly him into Rome, explore Italy, possibly spend 5 or so days somewhere in France, and then about a week in Spain, but flights are at least $1500 and I can't help but think that there's got to be something better out there. Any thoughts/suggestions?

Thank you!

I sure haven't been able to find anything better and I've been looking for a while.

There have been quite a few threads about the cost of air fares. Right now, it looks like I'd have to pay about twice what I paid last year. So right now, it looks like I'm not going to Europe this year.

Hi hey,

Airfares are much higher than last year. Oil is around $80, fewer flights, etc.

I'm paying 1100 for what cost under $1000 last year.

((I))

It's been around that price for at least a couple of years now. You just need to keep looking -- prices go up and down. I played roulette with Air France going from L.A. to Paris last September. It was $1,200 one day, $900 another day, all within the span of about 2 weeks. When it got down t $900, I grabbed it. For Italy, I ultimately found the best deals on Air France, flying to Paris, then changing planes and onto Rome.

Good luck!

It's simple, fewer seats, fewer flights, high demand during the busy travel season.

Last summer was an atypical year for Summer airfares. Even I flew then, because it was so cheap. So, don't compare this Summer with last year- think back 2 or more years.