Is the cost of 2007 airfare generally up from prior years?

[frannn]

For the past few years, we have flown from NY-Orlando on major carriers for under 200/ticket. We try to book soon after fares are released, and fly off times, like Sept. In 9/06, we paid 175/ticket with Jetblue. This year, the same flghts were released at 219/ticket. I have 2 questions. 1) Should I just book it now because the days of cheaper flights (nonstop, seat selection) are over? and 2) Why are August flights 10 cheaper each way than Sept? Shouldn't it be the other way around? BTW, I have found the same issue with rental car rates.

 

[jadejazzkayla]

last year i paid $195 rt from hartford nonstop flights. minivan 10 days $270.

this year $150 rt nonstop. minivan 10 days $240. you have to know your prices and watch everyday. that's the only way. unless you just get lucky.

 

[bavaria]

I have flown about 40,000 miles YTD to a variety of destinations, and flights are the same or LOWER than 2006 on almost all routes. This includes flights within the US as well as international, and economy as well as business/first tickets.

For LCC, while I do not fly with them, I can comment that SW has had a number of price increases over the past 6 months, as their fuel hedging benefits are coming to an end.

Generally, airfare is less than it was ten years ago, and that doesn't even factor in inflation.

Airlines are not going to be able to offer unrealistically low fares forever; at some point the pricing models may change in order to allow long term survival.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've found my flights to be about the same this year as last. In fact, I'm going to Puerto Rico in September (did it last year too) and the same flight is exactly the same price as it was last year. Our flights to Florida in August are about the same as they were in August 2005!.

 

[redmomof4]

Do you remember any discount codes for your minivan. I can't find my notes from our last trip and am also needing 10 days!
Thanks,

last year i paid $195 rt from hartford nonstop flights. minivan 10 days $270.

this year $150 rt nonstop. minivan 10 days $240. you have to know your prices and watch everyday. that's the only way. unless you just get lucky.