Booked villa for Aug 2011 - flight advise pls?

[alibeau]

Hi Guys

Well we have taken the plunge and put a deposit down on a villa for three weeks in Aug 2011. It really doesn't sit well with me booking so far in advance but as we do think we would like to try August and we loved the look of this villa, we've gone ahead and booked..... In our minds we are not really commited to this holiday until we book the flights IYSWIM.....

So advise on flights pls....

In recent years we have only flown direct MAN to MCO, this would be our preference as opposed to indirect but we would definately consider flying to Sanford, so can anyone tell me what our options are? I guess we would consider indirect but it would have to be a really good price for us to do so...

No more UC for us and so we would like to fly 'premium economy' or equivalent but I am unsure as to what services airlines other than Virgin offer? and how they compare?

Also if our return date is approx. 28th Aug 2011, when can I expect the flights to become available?

Thanks guys and hope everyone is keeping well

Ali

 

[wayneg]

You will be able to book from end of Sept, approx 11 months from your return date.

This August has been a very hard year to buy flights, cheapest Virgin economy around £700 if you bought very early, peaked around £1300, cheapest PE around £1300 unless you have any miles, then Miles & Money brought them down slightly.
I would not pay it, most I have paid before was £533 for economy, no way would I pay £1300pp for PE so we booked indirect Delta Business class same as we flew last August, knocks spots off Virgin, lay flat seats (if they are installed in time) superb food and service, £1,170pp. not cheap but I think a bargain compared to Virgin.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

This is what we did last year,we booked our Virgin flight first thing in the morning,exactly 11 months before our departure date,for middle of May,and for 2 adults and 2 children it cost £1900 Manchester to Oraldo International. For us with children the direct Virgin flight is far superior than other flights we have tried.The secret is is to book as soon as the flights become avaliable.When i looked at the same flight a few weeks later the price had increase considerably.

 

[wayneg]

.The secret is is to book as soon as the flights become avaliable.When i looked at the same flight a few weeks later the price had increase considerably.

Unfortunately thats not a rule you can stick to, sometimes they release flights way OTT then reduce them. Ours for this August from being released were fluctuating between £1,700-£2,300pp right upto them being on offer(Expedia special rate) 29th Jan at £1,170, 4 months we had to wait.
Another was Oct half term 2008, kept watching OTT prices for months then eventually they dropped to £240pp on 7th July, just over 3 months to our departure.
Other times cheaper to book on release.

 

[debs69]

Just booked our virgin fly drives for next August, prices seem reasonable at the moment. £2,300 for 2 adults 1 teen 1 child

 

[wayneg]

Just booked our virgin fly drives for next August, prices seem reasonable at the moment. £2,300 for 2 adults 1 teen 1 child

What dates? is it after around the 22nd? prices drop then.
Just prices our dates 4th-29th 2 ad & 1 teen £2632.05

Remember car insurances ontop also.

And Welcome to DISboards

 

[debs69]

Thanks for that Wayne, I have been looking at the dis forum for a few years now but only just taken the plunge and registered, and yes we fly on 22nd August 2011, but it still seemed a good price

 

[wayneg]

Thanks for that Wayne, I have been looking at the dis forum for a few years now but only just taken the plunge and registered, and yes we fly on 22nd August 2011, but it still seemed a good price

Its a fair price so far out, might/should be a little cheaper flight only but you would have to wait until Sept and no guarantees they will be cheaper. At least you know you are going and happy with the price