Will there be air fare increases?

[sammi]

I'm wondering if due to the fact that gasoline will be increasing in the near future can anyone forsee the rates for flights increasing too.

We aren't flying out to WDW until this March but my cousin from the UK suggested to me today, that it would be adviseable to book soon before the fuel prices rise?

Would anyone have any info or suggestions? TIA!

Happy New Year!

 

[hercamore]

All I know is that Northwest has really increased prices in the last two weeks. Unbelievable!

Herc.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Planes don't run on gasoline, they run on jet fuel. I expect the airfares will rise and fall, just like they always do.

 

[sammi]

But I'm thinking that any kind of fuel might be affected....considering the problems going on in Iraq.

 

[drusba]

Oil price increases can lead to fare increases. However, numerous other factors affect price including particularly expected demand. Airline prices typically range from the fairly low price to the restrictive high price and that is for the same flight. It is just a matter of how many discount seats they sell and when they put them on sale (which can vary significantly). Best to regularly check fares at sites like orbitz.com, travelocity.com, expedia.com, or the airlines own sites (which are usually just the name of the airline .com). If you are flying to Orlando in March, you are reaching critical mass, as that is a busy time, and many of the discount fares were sold months ago.

 

[CarolMN]

Most of the airlines have already decreased their capacity (due to 9/11 and the economy). With less seats to fill, there will be less discounting of prices.

An offset to that is that number of airlines in bankruptcy proceedings. If the courts eliminate their huge debt loads and/or cancel high cost labor contracts, you may see lower prices as the "new" companies try to retain/get back customers. (That probably won't happen in time for a March trip, though). You might also see carriers in need of quick cash institute a fare sale. Its competitors will probably match the sale prices.

My advice is to keep a close eye on fares in your market and then grab seats as soon as you see a "reasonable" price.

Good luck!

 

[sammi]

Thanks to all that have responded to this thread!

Yes I'm still checking daily for air fares and I'm finding some pretty good ones especially leaving out of Buffalo as leaving from Toronto (Pearson) or for that matter any Canadian airport is very costly as they add all of these "special charges,taxes etc) to your fare rate which really adds to the cost.

Thanks again!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Cindy,
Sign up for Southwest's email. They send out a new one each Tuesday. Sometimes you can find some wonderful fares.
www.southwestair.com
They don't advertise their fares anywhere but on their website.

 

[sammi]

Thanks Gail! I'll do that right away.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Good luck, Sammi.

 

[lpursell]

I saw on NBC news tonight that American Airlines has announced that they're lowering fares. An airfare "war" could follow. Good luck.