Is airfare usually this $$$$ 5 months out?

[eeyoresmom]

I am trying to purchase air for our late April trip and can't believe the prices!!! I usually don't buy this early, but with DVC you have to plan ahead. What's my best strategy? We are flying out of New England around April 15-18 and usually fly Southwest. TIA

 

[plutolovr]

I'm a TA and live in the Philadelphia area. I usually find if you live in a market that Southwest services, the so-called legacy airlines keep their fares higher until Southwest opens their schedule. Once SW opens up the other airlines will usually drop their prices to compete. I guess they figure if you're going to book 5-6 months out they're going to get their money while they can. I have a few clients doing Disney in April/May and have not done air yet until SW opens up.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

Thanks for the insight Plutolovr! I was wondering the same thing myself. We're going over our Spring Break (March 24-31) and rates are evil-high. When I first started looking 4 months ago they were lower, I was starting to get worried that I missed the best deals. I'll try to wait patiently for the Southwest release. Good luck all!

 

[MickeyEars]

Yes, thank you for the info plutolovr!!! We have been flying to Disney for years now and I have never seen fares this expensive. We normally fly Delta and purchase our tickets as soon as they release their schedule which is what, 331 days out. Not this year I'm waiting for Southwest to release their May schedule and my fingers are crossed that they will be cheaper than what we've seen thus far. I'm not used to waiting this long to purchase our airfare so I hope Southwest comes through for us soon!!!

Carla

 

[curlybop]

Thanks for the info! I also have been looking at fares for next April, and they're just too high. SW does fly out of an airport 2 hours from me, but for the savings, I wouldn't mind the drive. I'm just going to keep waiting, hopefully prices will be more reasonable after the holidays!

 

[bridget]

We booked our Dec. 13-19th airfare less than 2 weeks ago! We've been waiting since June. We booked on Southwest and got airfare w/taxes-fees for $350 for 3 people

I was getting VERY nervous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't like waiting.

 

[Taratink]

We travel Jetblue out of Boston and the prices for Feb. was high. I booked our stay around the airfare because the next week was double the $$$. Ouch!
Tara

 

[erikthewise]

Yes typically airline prices are still pretty high 5 months out. They are still selling to people who are willing to pay higher prices for peace of mind (or just don't know any better). Prices drops, IF they happen, tend to happen about 3 months out. But this varies enormously depending on airline and market. For a popular flight buying early may be the best bet. It's a very tricky game, and it really helps to have been through the same situation last year!

 

[AllesonWonderland]

It's a very tricky game, and it really helps to have been through the same situation last year!

See, that's my problem. We just relocated, so I have no idea what tickets should cost. Plus, I've never flown to Orlando AND we're going over Spring Break. *sigh*


I love shopping around for the best deals, but airfare is a headache, there's just no rhyme or reason to it. C'mon Southwest....release those dates!!! LOL

 

[lovevacations]

Ticket prices on Cont. Houston to Orlando March 8-17 were as high as $484!! But the fare came down to $360 yesterday.We paid $700 for the 4 of us last May! We are planning on driving at this point and I'm just checking fares daily!!

 

[marcyinPA]

We are flying in May, and I have not booked airfare yet. I usually don't wait this long, but then again, I've never seen airfare this high before! I'm waiting for Airtran to release their fares for our return trip, and then I also am waiting for Southwest to release theirs too. We usually fly out of PHL, but right now, I'm even looking at EWR (which is actually higher so far)....

I get nervous waiting, but I refuse to pay over $300 for a flight with a stop!! YIKES!!! At least Airtran and SW go non-stop!

Marcy

 

[pumpkinboy]

I am trying to purchase air for our late April trip and can't believe the prices!!! I usually don't buy this early, but with DVC you have to plan ahead. What's my best strategy? We are flying out of New England around April 15-18 and usually fly Southwest. TIA

I think the problem is that you're travelling during April school vacation week; most of the schools in Massachusetts and other New England States are off that week, so you are competing with a lot of people. The fares two weeks later (early May) are much lower ($390 is lowest for vacation week, while two weeks later is $247).

So this is not a question of being 5 months out; the problem is that it's a high demand week. The airlines are not inclined to discount flights that they are prety sure are going to sell out for closer to full fare.

I would recommend keeping our ear to the ground and getting SouthWest within a few hours of when they release fares for your dates.

Good Luck!

 

[mom_rules]

My TA just booked us a fabulous promo NWA (she assured us all their labour issues were behind them) bus class fare (just a little more than what economy was selling for) for mid May. Keep trying-something will come up. You should have a $ amount in mind that you are willing to pay and be ready to book if a promo/good fare comes up because minutes later it might be gone.

 

[Darcy03231]

I live in NH and have flown to Orlando several times in April. I've usually found the best deals during the week between Christmas and New Years into the first week of January. I don't know why be each year that I've watched the airfare for April it seems to go down around that time. The last several years Delta has had the best prices. Also, check surrounding airports if you can. We have quite a few within driving distance. I once drove to Hartford (about 2 hours from my house). There were 6 of us traveling and we were able to fly from there for almost $200/pp less Manchester and $300/pp less than Boston.