Airline travel

[FigmentForEver1976]

I have never flown before, so my hubby and I will be at February so when do you buy air plane tickets? Is there a too soon or too late?

 

[FCDub]

Airfare is one thing that’s really impossible to predict. There’s no real “perfect” time. I’d take a look now, come back with prices, and people can give you a sense of if it feels like a good price.

The advice most travelers get here is book when you’re comfortable with the price. But since you’ve never flown, hard to know what that means!

 

[Bobb_o]

In general 2-4 months is how far out you want to buy domestic tickets. Obviously the popularity of the routes/times can affect how far in advance you want to purchase. If you book in that time frame even at the "worst" time you'll probably only have a difference in the tens of dollars, not the hundreds. International is different.

Southwest has no change fees on every class of ticket so if you buy a ticket and the fare drops you can rebook the ticket and they will refund you the difference as a credit.

 

[Dakota731]

We are looking for tickets for two trips this year and flights are highest price we ever paid. I guess everyone is planning trips now after being cooped up so long but I’m hoping rates go down soon!!

 

[bakerworld]

Generally lowest air costs are mid week - avoid Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Friday and Sunday being the worst in our experience).

 

[focusondisney]

I think it’s important to know costs from your city. I’d start tracking flight times & costs now. Is there a relative or friend who travels that you can ask for help & suggestions? Several airlines are now eliminating change fees, but they charge for seat assignments or luggage. What is important to you? Non stop flights? Seating? Cheapest flight possible? Arrival & departure times? You have to factor all that in.

 

[DL1WDW2]

If you have never flown you should search for non stop direct flights or flights that have one stop with no plane change. .
Southwest is the easiest to navigate and understand online.
Currently they have flights listed for travel thru November.

What is your origination city and your destination (MCO would be Orlando flight designation.) for example. And what time of year ?

 

[sam_gordon]

The first reply says it all. While IN GENERAL (or ON AVERAGE) one time is better than another, that does not mean it works for everyone or even the majority. The time of year of your flight, the time of day of your flight, the departure airport, and the arrival airport ALL factor into pricing.

What you SHOULD do, right now, today: Start stalking airfares for your travel dates and airports. Look at surrounding airports (however far you're willing to drive). Use tracking apps/websites (google flights, hipmunk, etc), but don't RELY on them. This far out, I would be looking at least twice a week if I'm using tracking apps, more often if I wasn't. Keep a spreadsheet of what pricing you're finding. If you see it at $500RT for weeks on end, then you find it at $200RT, grab it, don't look back.

You've got to get a baseline.

 

[Lewisc]

How flexible are your travel dates and times? There are a few peak travel dates where people with strict requirements are willing to pay $$. Sunday after Thanksgiving. Beginning and end of President's week. Wait and you'll pay more. Wait too long and the flights may be sold out.

I may have missed it. Where are flying from.

 

[_19disnA]

Due to covid, airlines reduced the number of flights since fewer people were travelling. When they plan to resume those flights is unknown at this time and matching supply with demand will probably continue to be a challenge for most airlines. Likely, they will gradually add flights over several months as more of covid is behind us. Since we have never experienced anything like covid in our lifetime, none of us knows its impact on future airline pricing.

Peak air travel times such as around Holidays means tickets sell out quickly and you should purchase as far in advance as possible. There is no reliable way to estimate future airline prices, some airlines will offer specials on less traveled routes to fill up their aircraft. However, popular travel destinations usually have less need for sales since the demand for those tickets is already there. Some airline advertising a 'sale' typically does not mean that every destination will be part of that sale. Don't just look at the base price for a ticket, but also consider if there are added charges for things like checked luggage, seat assignments, etc.

If you have never flown before, suggest reading the information on the official airline websites as well as the TSA site so you have an idea what is/isn't allowed on aircraft and how the process actually works. All adults must have a photo ID to pass through security. It is also recommend to arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure for all domestic flights to allow adequate time to check-in, go through security and walk to your departure gate. Wait times to get through security can be significant (and unpredictable) and if you aren't at your gate in time for departure, they will leave without you. Airports also have websites where you can review where to park in addition to the general layout of the airport. Larger airports have separate parking and terminals based on airline, so be sure to look for that if parking on-site so you park in the correct area. Many airports also have off-site parking which tends to be cheaper and will drop you off at the appropriate terminal.

Non-stop flights travel from the departing city to your destination without stopping. Direct flights involve one or more stops. If you have a choice of departure airports based on where you live, be sure to price out the various options.