airline fares - better or worse in October?

I don’t think anyone can predict.

You might check the airline policies for credits if the price goes down. Some of the U.S. airlines will give you a credit (if you ask) for a future flight if the price goes down. For example, last year the price of my United flight went down $190 about 2 weeks after I booked. I rebooked at the lower price. I believe Delta has a similar policy.

I bought my ticket for Sept/Oct in mid-March just after the war started. That price was higher than the prices that I had seen before the war started. Two weeks ago, the price was $300 more than when I booked. Today, the price is about $150 more than when I booked. I plan to keep checking up until my trip departs in the hope the price will decrease and I can get a credit.

It also depends on your home airport. Larger airports have more competition, so maybe maybe better prices .The smaller airports have fewer deals, in my experience.

No one can truly answer your question- it's all opinion and guessing at any point.

Do you research on Google Flights. You can check on price history and set up Alerts. Watch prices for the next 4-6 weeks, then make an educated guess. Good luck!

With gasoline prices expected to stay high for at least six more months— some analysts say longer— I wouldn’t expect jet fuel prices to fall any time sooner than that.

With October just five months away, I would find the best-priced tickets now and buy them.

www.Skyscanner.com comprehevely lists airfares now for sale, along with and airline schedules.

Similar to Laura, last year there was a reduction in fare for my purchased flights and I asked Delta for a credit ($225/ticket). Note that the credits expire so you must use them to book future flights before the expiration date (you don't have to travel before then, just book). If I was in your situation I would have bought my October tickets months ago but I don't like to gamble. I bought my flights for November in March.

These uncertain times also merit the careful consideration of travel insurance that covers your situation. No one answer for everyone on that, but as always the devil is in the written details.

We don't know when you were planning to book your flights. I normally book my flights three to six months out, particularly when there are deadlines involved.. We are five months from October, so the real question is does anyone think that fuel prices/airline fares will drop in the next two months. Tankers take one to two months from departure in the Persian Gulf to destinations around the world, and they are not sailing today. The last of the pre-war tankers have finally arrived at their destinations. Thus fuel inventories are now being drawn down and are not being replaced. Fuel supplies will not return to "normal" until a number of months (?) months after tanker sailings resume. And, airlines may not resume pre-war flight schedules or pricing immediately. Good Luck.

My sense is that nothing will settle down till after the elections in Nov. Settling down may not mean a quick return to lower prices. It will take several months.

I bought four weeks ago for an October trip. I'm a planner, and I don't like waiting too late. I think the answer depends on how much time and energy you want to spend on tracking prices. I tend to be a "buy and forget about it" air passenger. I'm busy with work and a couple home projects--trying to save $100-$200 on a flight isn't something that is high on my list of concerns in life. I understand for others that getting that lower price is important.