What's up with Airline cost?

[Irishgrl]

We go to Florida a lot and never paid more that 220 but, I was just looking to go in August and the cheapest flight I can find is 320. Is something going on?

 

[Gracie09]

Supply and demand- economy is improving and more people are traveling for pleasure and work. Higher fuel cost. Consolidation of airlines means less competition. Higher labor costs.

 

[Irishgrl]

Supply and demand- economy is improving and more people are traveling for pleasure and work. Higher fuel cost. Consolidation of airlines means less competition. Higher labor costs.

The flight was actually cheaper for Spring Break than it is for August which is off season.

 

[mum of two pirates]

Ours has doubled since the last t8me we went. Right now its running $600

 

[cmwade77]

Strange, flying from California in November and ours ended up being $339 (so far, it may go down more and Jetblue offers refunds in the form of credit if that happens). This is actually one of the cheaper flights we have had from here.

Although ours Started out at $401, but I setup a price tracker on Yapta, which told me when the price dropped. I called Jetblue and got the difference refunded.

So, it is possible to book now and have it go down, but the refund policy will vary from airline to airline.

 

[athumann]

I've been wondering the same thing. I have 73 days to go and I have not booked our return flight yet hoping that there will be a sale or something. Maybe we just won't come home!!

 

[pryncess527]

Airline pricing has always been highly erratic. Prices change constantly based on the airlines prediction models for filling flights that there could be 100 explanations for a higher than usual fare 5 months out. I read a Kayak.com article that suggested their data shows the best time to buy a domestic ticket is 21-35 days prior to departure, though I'd be nervous waiting that late.

 

[parkluvr]

We go to Florida a lot and never paid more that 220 but, I was just looking to go in August and the cheapest flight I can find is 320. Is something going on?

It's a risk, but if you hold off a little bit longer the price may come down(it could go up also). I read somewhere that the best time to book a flight is around 45 days before. I booked for our early June trip about a month ago and in the last 10 days or so I've received Travelocity alerts with rates about $100 cheaper per person for the same flights. I booked early because the flights that I wanted were starting to fill up and I didn't want to end up with 4 middle seats spread around the airplane. Like I said there are no guarantees. The fares may very well go down further, but they could go up.

 

[Irishgrl]

Thanks every one!

 

[disney1990]

Look at the price of gasoline -- everything is going up -- unfortunately.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

It may just be wishful thinking but I expect things will improve after spring break and Easter are done.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It may just be wishful thinking but I expect things will improve after spring break and Easter are done.

Yes, wishful thinking. August is a very busy travel time. I would be buying my tickets now. Spring break has nothing to do with August airline ticket prices.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Crude oil just went back up to $104 per barrel this past Wed - close to record highs. Gas and airfare prices track with this trend unless there is a fare war going on. We just spent a fortune on our Hawaii plane tix, but it's our 25th anniversary - we're taking this trip.