When to Book Disount Airlines
 

I'm going to be flying from London to Faro in late September. I'm a little mystefied about when to book the discounters. Do prices get lower the closer to your date, or should one try to book now?

The eye-popping sales (0.01 GBP, for example) on Ryanair seem to appear at 60-120 days before travel. Other more "routine" discounts seem to vanish as those lower priced seats sell out, so I think you should buy now or soon, if the price and schedule are to your liking.

Best wishes,

Rex

The "rule of thumb" is to book as soon as possible. As rex says, the big offers seem to appear with a month or two but that's not sure. I think they appear when ryanair is in the mood to do it :) But often those extra low prices don't apply for all the days in all the routes. So if you book early and find a good deal..just take it :)

Who knows? I was looking at a booking on Air Baltic about 4-6 weeks ago but didn't take it because our plans weren't firmed up. Now prices on the same flight have dropped quite a bit. This is for a flight the 2nd week of July.

Helpful. Thanks much.

Lowest price is usually really early on. And last-minute price is usually pretty high.

Between that, they go up and down. I booked my parents on Nowegian two weeks ago STN-OSL for late June travel, and prices on their particular flight went down. Nothing we can do about that. [Same day, different flight, and the price has gone UP.]

what do folks suggest for off season travel to Europe such as January or February - when would be the best time to book for discounts?

I think you can sign up for a Ryanair newslettr. Right now, they have dozens (hundreds?) of routes on sale for 0.00 (yes, no fare) to 10.00 GBP (plus taxes, not to exceed 12.50 GBP per person) for these dates:

16 jun to 25 oct, excluding 14 jul to 31 aug; must book 02-05 jun (i.e., ends today).

EasyJet is very upfront on their website by saying that the earlier you book, the cheaper the fare.

I'd sign up for their newsletter as well.

Oh, and I would book that flight of yours yesterday...

The sale that "ended" June 5 - - has been reincarnated at least twice this week already...

Fares are exclusive of taxes fees & charges which do not exceed £15.20

Booking Period: Fri 09th Jun - Mon 12th Jun
Travel Period: Fri 23rd Jun - Wed 25th Oct
Applicable Days: Mon - Thurs & Sat
Subject To Availability
Flight must be purchased: 14 Days in advance
Blackout Period: 15th Jul '06 - 31st Aug '06 all routes
Notes on this fare: All Holidays, School Breaks and major sporting events are excluded from this offer

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Like watching a roulette wheel!