When to book flights

[strawberry blonde]

Have decided to join SIL and her DH just after Easter next year for our first all adult trip in about 25 years

They will book with Virgin Holidays flying from Glasgow whilst I'll book ours diy from Gatwick. We're looking about the 18th April so flights will soon be available. Not sure whether to book when they come out or hang on and hope the dates come up in a sale. Any advice would be welcome

 

[Pegasus928]

Current opinion seems to suggest 22 weeks before travel is the best time for prices on long haul flights.
I personally want to try that for myself - but not so sure DW is patient/brave enough to wait.

 

[Minniesgal]

I find Orlano flights are the cheapest the day they come out.

 

[BudgieMama]

Our flights were sold out well before 22 weeks out, so that's not something I'd be willing to risk if travelling at a busy time.

 

[scoobydooby]

I got really great PE prices with Virgin at 16 weeks out for my pending trip but I am not generally brave enough to wait till so close before. I booked this last minute. So if you're brave it seems there are deals to be found.

 

[Elise79]

If you are not travelling in school holidays then you can generally wait for a sale.

Historically May has had some really good flight prices

 

[Minniesgal]

Out of curiosity I just had a look at 22 weeks from today which happens to be roughly the time we went last year. If I booked flights today I'd be paying £4000 more than I paid last year for our family of five. I booked literally just after they became available. 22 weeks is a hell of a risk

 

[wayneg]

I find Orlano flights are the cheapest the day they come out.

Used to be the case but these days are long gone, Airlines know people are waiting for release so usually they are at a premium, then drop nearer to travel but no set rules.

Our flights were sold out well before 22 weeks out, so that's not something I'd be willing to risk if travelling at a busy time.

Never seen a flight sell out 22 weeks in advance. You would be very unucky to miss out on getting a flight, without doing lots of research into latest figures I have this Virgin Atlantic statistic from 2009 •The average aircraft occupancy on flights from Manchester to Orlando in 2009 was 70.85%.
TA & airlines want everyone to believe there is a shortage of seats and you need to book early, in reality there are far too many seats and no rush to book, this year I booked at around 28 weeks, no cheaper before and not seen cheaper since(although I am not actively looking every day) just checked now and they are at £881, I paid just over £600.

As Kenny said, the latest research into this was published a few month ago, 22 weeks out was found to be the best time to book flights to the US. going on my recent experiences I wouldn't argue with their findings.

End of the day there is no set time to book, airline pricing formula will never be known by us, its all guess work.

 

[TigerandBear]

We've found that as soon as possible is the best. We hesitated slightly at the start when booking, and watched the prices increase. We booked ours at about 9 months, but would have saved about £60 a ticket if we'd have done it at 10-11 months.

I assume there's lots of last-minute bargains to be had, but that takes nerves of steel and the acceptance you can't plan as much.

I recommend as soon as possible!

 

[strawberry blonde]

Thanks everyone.
If we were going on our own I would be tempted to get late flights and go in May but my SIL wants to book a package with Virgin from Glasgow in April.

Will have a look at prices from Gatwick when they're available and if they're expensive I'll hang on and hope the dates come up in a sale. One way or another, I'm sure we'll get there. Plenty of time yet.

 

[emmamc252]

We are looking for flights from Manchester for virtually the same time! hopefully the 15th or 16th of April.
Thomas cook is up at £520 and was tempted but I just think we will get cheaper!
I've looked at virgins miles+money fares which I just have enough miles for and they are nearly out for our dates, feb and March are £491 but the kids are £70 cheaper whilst with thomas cook they are you'll price.
I think if virgin come in under £500 I would book em, similarity if I see thomas cook much below that I will book that.
I have £450 or under in my head and booking with thomas cook, we've flown virgin and been so dissapointed a few times now I kinda want to go with thomas cook they can't be worse! So I'm hoping they will drop there's!
I certainly wouldn't have the stomach to wait until 22 weeks, I don't think but I can check every day! It's very tempting! But we have to book the time off work and the accommodation so our dates are pretty set so we could lose out!
It's a tight rope to walk!

 

[2Tiggies]

Current opinion seems to suggest 22 weeks before travel is the best time for prices on long haul flights.
I personally want to try that for myself - but not so sure DW is patient/brave enough to wait.

I have noticed that our flights have dropped in price since I booked. Not significantly enough to justify waiting but they have come down. The trade off is that the times are not all that great, but I'll do what I need to do to get there. However, we are a few weeks out and I'm perfectly content to have paid an extra £40 per head to save myself worrying and searching over the past 7 months! I could do 22 weeks, but I'm not doing 3

I have £450 or under in my head and booking with thomas cook, we've flown virgin and been so dissapointed a few times now I kinda want to go with thomas cook they can't be worse! So I'm hoping they will drop there's!
I certainly wouldn't have the stomach to wait until 22 weeks, I don't think but I can check every day!

I am past the stage of loyalty to one particular airline. With the exception of BA who I am presently a little annoyed about, they are all 6 and half a dozen if you are flying economy. The difference comes into play when you start paying for the higher classes of travel. For example, in terms of the actual flight itself, I think BA offers a nicer cabin than VA. However VA's PE is better than BA's Club World. But at the end of it all, it's 9 hours (if direct) to get to a destination where you're spending 2-3 weeks. So in spite of what I say now, unless I am flying anything above economy, I'm more interested in the price and times/connection times than I am in the actual airline. Loyalty went out the window when the prices were hiked a few years ago.

Our only fairly long delay on our Orlando trips was in 2011 with Continental (now merged with United). We had engine failure on the runway and were sent back to the gate. We had a 2 hour delay in Newark where they unloaded us and our luggage and then re-boarded us on another plane. When we landed at MCO there was a terrible storm and the belts were closed for over 2 hours before any luggage was offloaded. We should have landed just after 4 pm, landed at 7 pm and got our luggage and boarded ME after 10 pm. But guess what? It is my favorite route and I'd pay a little more to fly it. The way we were looked after was second to none. Not one of the issues were the fault of the airline. In short, I won't pay to fly a certain airline, but I note those which offer great customer care and service is something I don't mind paying a little extra for.

Set a budget, search frequently and when you find something suitable within your budget, book it. That is how it works for me now.