airfare prices

[mhawk4]

I am looking at airfare for next April and found that the prices are around $350. The last two times we went to DW,in May 2010 and December 2010, we spent about $260. This seems high. Am I looking to book too early? I booked the May airfare in January and the December airfare in June. Should I wait a few months? I also found that one week later the cost is around $260, although I cannot change our week.

 

[shaylyn]

Yes, I would wait awhile, at least until the fall or winter of this year if your booking for April 2012.

Prices have gone up though

 

[RockAndRollBallerina]

It was $148 round trip for me early in 2010 so I could go visit my parents in Wisconsin. The same ticket on the same airline is now $275+.

My mom booked me a ticket the other day to get to Milwaukee from North Eastern Ohio, and was able to get me a round trip fare for less than $250 for a trip in early July.

My future SIL is a travel agent, and even she can't figure out how airlines set their fare prices.

 

[escape]

I'm a constant whiner when it comes to airfare. Call me Grumpette!

Airfare for us in Arkansas has really gone up in the last few years. We've been paying around $325 RT to Orlando until recently. I've been pricing airfare to Orlando for next January and so far, the cost is around $450/pp. Ugh! Sad thing is, I can't drive to a nearby airport for better fares. Dallas, seven hours away, has airfare for $250/RT. I guess it's due to lack of competition for us.

 

[Buckalew11]

Thank God our airfare to Orlando is cheap (Allegiant and Airtran) but other places it has gone up. I really want to take DD to MN to see the Mayo Clinic and the airfare is unreal!

But the cheap airfare to Sanford, FL was 56.00 RT today!!

 

[DisMN]

I've been watching our airfare go up and up. Now I tried something but I don't know if it'll work closer to our trip.......we go next January but I priced fares for about 3 months from now just out of curiosity. The fares are quite a bit less than the January ones so maybe if you hold out. That's what I'm gonna try.....and I wish us both luck! LOL

 

[Jestocost]

Airlines have cut back their schedules, so there are fewer seats to fill. Demand is picking up, so prices today mostly reflect the supply and demand dynamic. Rising fuel costs also are a significant factor in today's airfare prices.

The likelihood that fares may go down is dependent on many different factors, including the time of year, time of week and even time of day that you are flying (flights at peak times of the year, on Friday/Saturday/Sunday, early a.m. to Orlando and late p.m. home generally will have higher demand), if you want nonstops or are willing to fly with a connection, competition at your airport, etc. The more flexible you can be on one or more of those things the higher the probability that you will be able to take advantage of a future fare sale/reduction. If you have to have that early morning nonstop to MCO on the Saturday before Christmas (just a worst-case scenario example), you probably aren't going to see anything but an upward trend in prices.

The other thing to consider is your risk tolerance, since if you buy now or wait you are gambling one way or another. A few airlines (SWA and JetBlue, I think) do allow you to get a credit if prices go down after you book and don't charge a penalty. Most of the airlines will charge you around $150 per ticket to change, however, so you'll need a big price drop to make it worthwhile.

 

[laughinplace199]

Are you looking at April vacation week? If you are, then $350 isn't that bad.

 

[hulagirl87]

where are airfares posted that far in advance? I keep checking airtran and jetblue for my January trip but flights aren't for sale that far out yet. Am I doing something wrong I am super nervous about the price though. I do think it is going to be quite high. I haven't flown anywhere in 2 years and I'm expecting a large jump in price.

 

[mrsheppo]

2 years ago, we flew Southwest to WDW for $200 per person, RT. Today that same fare is almost $500 per person. Thank God I had 3 free flights with Southwest or there would be no WDW trip.

 

[tvguy]

Well gasoline was about $1.80 a gallon in January 2009, and it's just dropped from $4.20 to $3.81 here, so despite airline fuel contracts, you have to figure this has impacted jet fuel prices too and thus, air fares. And as has been noted, airlines are flying fewer seats too.

 

[Thundergod]

Hope and Change my friend, Hope and Change.

 

[Jestocost]

where are airfares posted that far in advance? I keep checking airtran and jetblue for my January trip but flights aren't for sale that far out yet. Am I doing something wrong I am super nervous about the price though. I do think it is going to be quite high. I haven't flown anywhere in 2 years and I'm expecting a large jump in price.

The legacy carriers (American, United, Delta, US Airways, etc.) open new flights daily at 330 days out. Many of the newer carriers, like AirTran, JetBlue and Southwest, open their schedules in blocks and not as far in advance.

 

[hulagirl87]

The legacy carriers (American, United, Delta, US Airways, etc.) open new flights daily at 330 days out. Many of the newer carriers, like AirTran, JetBlue and Southwest, open their schedules in blocks and not as far in advance.

ah! thank you

 

[HeatherC]

I recently booked our airfare from Mass. to Orlando for next April break with DirectAir out of Worcester. We are flying out on the Thursday before break...the 12th to MCO/Sanford and home on the 22nd from West Palm. (We will end the trip visiting grandma in Delray.) I paid about a $1000 for five of us with one paid checked bag. We will also carry on for free.

They are nonstop direct flights too.

If you are not too far from Worcester, you may want to check them out. We booked during their May sale. I think they are now offering a June one, but I haven't bothered to check prices since we are all set.

Good luck to you!!!