I know this is probably a question that doesn’t have a predictable answer, but I am curious about your opinions on purchasing airfare now or waiting to see if it would drop. We are looking for a non- stop route, United, going from IAD (Dulles) to EDI (Edinburgh) early September 2025. Right now RT regular economy is $1284. For a fall trip, is this what we looking to pay based on anyone’s experience that could have traveled during the fall season? Google flights says it is average, so I am tempted to just go ahead and buy. I paid about that price in the summer to London in 2023, so I was wondering if it would eventually drop bc I thought that price was for high season. Just curious what you all advise. Thank you so much!
Posted by
Oregon
262 posts
I think this weekend (Online Monday) would be the cheapest sale on flights. 2 weeks ago I purchased RT tickets SEA to Glasgow for $800 for May, 2025 on IcelandAir economy standard.
Posted by
Chicago
653 posts
Your first sentence is the correct answer....
Fares for next September are based on previous models and predictive trends for
next fall. No one knows what events might impact or change the overall pricing
model and it's 11 months out.
If you do purchase now, just be aware of the exchangeability and changeability
of the fare that you buy, in case things change going through 2025.
Posted by
Chicago
3136 posts
I booked last month Chicago to Edinburgh for Sept., paying $1525 for economy plus on United. Last year, for the same flight in May, I paid $1136 for economy. I went with economy plus this time because United uses a smaller plane (Boeing 757-200) for that route and I was pretty cramped in economy.
Looks like your flight is also on a 757.
I don’t think you’ll do much better than $1284. If that’s a price you can live with, I would just book now and be done with it.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7956 posts
My last several flights (mostly to London, and none to Edinburgh) have been full, and unless things change dramatically for flying, I don’t see airlines having an incentive to drop their prices. I’d say get your tickets now, before anybody else does.
We took trips in September 2021, 2022, and 2023. Maybe kids are back in school, but people are still flying in great numbers it seems. That was true for Italy, Denmark, and Norway, in addition to London.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2033 posts
Unless you’re visiting Edinburgh during peak festival time, 10 months in advance is a tad early for getting the best deals on airfares. The airlines usually only put flights up for sale 12 months in advance at the earliest. And they have little incentive to lower the fares 10-11 months in advance unless they are facing a liquidity crunch. I would recommend signing up for a fare alert on Google Flights for IAD and Baltimore ( BWI) or similar and keeping an eye on fares beginning in January. For international fares, generally 5-8 months prior to the departure date is the sweet spot for the best airfares.
A good resource for airfares is www.Skyscanner.com
Posted by
OP
United States
527 posts
Thank you all for your thoughts. We did just read about Travel Tuesday as well as Cyber Monday being an opportunity for some discounts. I think I will wait and check those out just to see.
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
761 posts
We usually fly IcelandAir because they offer a good connection from Medford OR, although you have to go to Glasgow. I also usually buy our tickets on the day they are available (330days in advance), because I've never seen lower prices and I'm a little OCD. IcelandAir offers "deals" all year long, but they are never for May travel. I need extra legroom or premium economy/business to fit in the seat, and the last minute prices never include those. I could never not have reservations just a few months before traveling unless I lost interest in getting any sleep.