Hope this isn't a frequent question, I searched the site with GoogleAdvanced search and the RS site, but couldn't find anything. I'm searching air fares for a europe trip and looking a return flights from Rome to Seattle. I'm looking at a flight that connects in Amsterdam, on Tuesday June 7th I can get a round-trip fare using that flight for $850, but the same flights on Monday June 6th are $1200. on both days it shows plenty of seats available. I'm just wondering why the price difference on Tue vs Mon?
That flight works very well for me, but also Monday works a lot better than Tuesday, there are other flights on Monday that I could do, but I'm trying to decide if I should hold out a little longer hoping that the best flight on Monday will drop in price? I;ve been searching both on Kayak and the Delta airlines site.
Posted by
Kirn, Germany
331 posts
Don't know about flying to the States, but flights within Europe are often more expensive on a Monday because more business people are starting their weeks work, same sometimes goes for Fridays when many are returning home. For this reason my husband, who works in England Mon to Thurs, tends to fly out on a Sunday morning, returning on a Thursday evening, avoiding the more popular and therefore expensive flights
Posted by
Lawrenceville, Georgia
693 posts
Monday, June 6th is a holiday - the end of a long week-end, a religious holiday in many European countries (Whitsunday and Monday). That could explain the discrepancy in price.
Posted by
Washington, DC
872 posts
Flights tend to be more expensive on certain days versus others. Departures on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are always the cheapest because they are the least desired days for folks. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are usually always more expensive. It's a supply and demand thing and the airlines use it to their advantage. It will most likely always be more expensive to fly out on that Monday versus the Tuesday.
Flights also tend to be more expensive in the mornings versus other times because again more folks want the morning flights. The previous post about business travel is also correct in determining the flight prices.
Posted by
Hendersonville, NC
247 posts
Matt that $850 sure sounds good to me.....I don't think I would hold out for Monday to drop...just my feeling but I think the prices are going up. Good luck on you choice....
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
Don't expect air fares to make any sense. There may indeed be some logic behind them (i.e. some days of the week are priced higher/lower because they work better for vacationers or business travelers), but ultimately it's a black art, beyond human understanding. It is what it is, it has its own logic, accept it, and do the best that you can.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4408 posts
That $850 may be long gone by now - there's no rhyme nor reason to airline fares...really. Maybe it (the $850 fare) goes away for a couple of hours every Friday morning... Not every airline flies every route every day of the week; the days with competition from other airlines may be less expensive, business travel was already mentioned...Maybe USA-Rome is cheaper on Thursdays, while USA-Paris is cheaper on Fridays... In General, Basically Speaking, Historically (enough disclaimers?!?), Tues - Thurs were the less expensive travel days to Europe...and in my experience, sometimes that still holds true - whatever the reason. For years, we departed the USA on Thursdays...much less expensive. Can you fly on Sunday? Saturday? If you're willing to wait until Monday anyway, is it worth $350 to wait until Tuesday, too? Watch fares regularly for a while, then when you see something you're happy with, grab it! And NEVER look at those fares again!!! It'll only serve to drive you crazy - you'll only see the fares that have dropped! They don't matter; tickets are purchased. Good luck!