London Airfare

[madscrapper]

Hi,

We are considering London/Paris trip for June 2008. We'd be flying out of Philadelphia and I'm wondering if anyone has an idea for what a good deal might be for the airfare? The flights are about $800 R/T - not including the taxes and fees which add another $300 or so. That for British Airways and USAir.

I hate to buy too soon but then I've seen the fare go sky high!

Just wondering if anyone else has any experience with this?

Thank you,
Jeannine

 

[global_mom]

I also would love to know opinions on a "good fare". The last time I flew to London it was $400 R/T but that was 13 years ago!

 

[MJGirl]

Those prices don't seem too bad. I went on the London/Paris last June and paid about $1200 Cdn per person for direct flights Toronto to London, then Paris to Toronto on Air Canada. Hope this helps!

 

[madscrapper]

Thank you - it helps to hear we're in the same range.

Jeannine

 

[1whooper]

What is a good airfare for Italy leaving from Philadelphia? I saw a fare for $702 without taxes. That includes flying into Rome and back from Venice nonstop! Should I book it now? I am going Sept. 11, 2008 on the Viva Italia trip.

 

[eva]

Sorry to hi-jack this thread.

I think this is going to be the toughest part of planning this trip. We are going on the Viva Italia on September 14th. They just released the flights for the return from Venice. Right now there is a flight through Iberia Airline for $977 total. That is with taxes and fees. Anyone have any comment on that airline? I've never heard of them. They seem to be a Spanish airline. I can also get US Airways for $1,049 total. Delta has some good flight times too. They are running $1,140. All three of these flights fly into Rome before noon and fly out of Venice early enough to allow us to drive home from Chicago at a decent hour. But we are not totally against staying a night in Chicago. Should we wait awhile? Flights that I checked for August really haven't changed much yet.

 

[1whooper]

Eva,
You could fly southwest from chicago to philadelphia and then usairways to Italy. I think I am going to book on usair for $702 without taxes per person. It is a nonstop flight that leaves at 6 pm and arrives rome at 8:35 am. The return from Venice leaves 11:30 am and gets into Philadelphia 3:30pm, which is nonstop also. This would be a good option for you!

 

[3pirates]

Hey everyone...the fares you're mentioning sound pretty reasonable to me. We didn't seriously consider too many options because we had frequent flyer miles for two of our five tickets, so we went with that airline so we could all fly together!

A couple of things I did learn...some through these boards.

If a direct flight is close to the same price, take it. That way you have less chance of trip interruption, lost luggage, etc. I know most will buy trip insurance, but that doesn't cover your hassle!

DH read the other day that if an airline offers a sale after you have bought a ticket, they will usually offer the lower price with the fee for changing the ticket. If the sale is good enough, it is probably worth looking into. That news made feel better about going ahead and booking, knowing that if the prices went down a lot I could probably take advantage of part of the savings. So far they have gone up for our May date....

 

[eva]

What are the taxes and fees on the flight from Philadelphia? Round trip from Chicago to Philadelphia is probably going to cost me $200-300. So I am not sure if that is a good option, since I can fly on US Airways from Chicago to Italy for $1,049. Another concern I have is if I book the flights separate and I miss a connection. How does that work and who will help me get on the next flight? Another problem I have right now is DH. He is complaining about buying tickets right now, since we just got back from a Western DCL cruise and 7 days at WDW.

 

[CustardTart]

...Right now there is a flight through Iberia Airline for $977 total. That is with taxes and fees. Anyone have any comment on that airline? I've never heard of them. They seem to be a Spanish airline...

Hi Eva!

Sorry to butt in but I just wanted to reassure you that Richard and I have flown to/from Spain with Iberia a number of times and had no problems whatsoever. I know that's not longhaul but they are Spain's main airline and as such have a good reputation...

Good luck with your planning...

 

[1whooper]

It is costing me $1550 for 2 people roundtrip from Philadelphia to Italy nonstop. I booked it myself on usairways and was not able to get trip insurance from disney. If you have Disney do it, you can purchase trip insurance . The reason why I suggested Southwest from Chicago is because it is alot cheaper than usairways. However, you have to do what is easier for you and convenient. I was fortunate to get nonstop flights. You should check airfare prices and see if Disney has the same fares.

 

[eva]

Hi Eva!

Sorry to butt in but I just wanted to reassure you that Richard and I have flown to/from Spain with Iberia a number of times and had no problems whatsoever. I know that's not longhaul but they are Spain's main airline and as such have a good reputation...

Good luck with your planning...

Thanks Karen! They do have really good flight times and the prices are pretty good. Now to get Steve to part with the money after that wonderful cruise and stay at WDW for our 25th. I know that you enjoyed the cruise. Hope you had a great trip to WDW with your DD too.

 

[VWLMember]

If you can fly from Newark, Virgin Atlantic is about 700-800 per person. Their service and professionalism is far beyond any other carrier and is worth even paying a little more in my opinion. I have flown with them several times from Boston to London and will not fly anyone else for that route.