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Do Airlines Add More Routes as Dates Get Closer?

We're looking to book our trip for next summer (Maui to Paris, then Vienna to Maui). I've never started planning/booking this far out before. Many of the airlines are just now offering booking for our dates (late May through mid-June). I have a good sense of what reasonable fares are for our routes - and know that conventional wisdom holds that the best deals are a couple of months away.

But, I was wondering if airlines tend to offer more route options as it gets closer. I know that we'll have at least one connecting flight from Maui to the mainland, then mainland to Europe. But, right now British Airways and American are both only offering routes with 2 connections. Wondering if they'll have better connecting routes later on or if that's what to expect from them.

Posted by
7054 posts

I was wondering if airlines tend to offer more route options as it
gets closer.

It depends on what the demand for existing seats looks like, and the airline's own predictions about future demand. So no one knows except for the airline and their computer algorithms. I don't think there is any upside to buying tickets so early because they may change the schedule close to the date of travel, plus you are paying right upfront. I would use the time to your advantage and track fares for a few months. Right now, it doesn't seem like the itinerary is ideal for you, so you have an incentive to wait and see what happens regarding more options instead of buying something that doesn't look attractive.

Posted by
11294 posts

Adding flights to an existing route (say, going from 2 flights a day to 3, or 4 flights a week to 6) is certainly possible. It's also possible for airlines to add completely new routes. However, these changes are announced months in advance, as any one route change requires changes in other routes (sometimes quite complex, particularly at busy airports where adding a flight means taking away another flight).

It's also possible that routes will be eliminated or frequency will be reduced. Again, this usually happens with advance notice of months.

For next summer, most flight schedules are probably already determined. So, what you're seeing now is probably what you're going to have for next summer.

For Maui to Paris, you should be able to go in one stop using Delta/Air France (via Los Angeles or Seattle) or United (via San Francisco or Chicago). For Vienna, you may be able to go in one stop using United/Austrian Air via Los Angeles. If you want or need to use OneWorld airlines like British Air or American, you're going to have two changes on these routes, as you say.

If you're not locked into any particular airline, use Google Flights or Kayak to see all your options.

To learn who flies where from a particular airport (which is how I came up with the one stop routes above), look at that airport's Wikipedia page.

However, be aware that at any time, a flight that isn't full can be canceled and combined with another flight on the same route. Hypothetical example: if there are four flights a day from Salt Lake City to Oakland on an airline, and they aren't filling, one of the four can be canceled, and passengers re-booked on one of the other three that remain. When this happens, all you can do is ask to be changed to the one still going that suits you best (you can't take a flight that no longer exists). These cancellations usually happen a few days to a few weeks before the flight, so it's important to keep checking after you've booked.

Posted by
203 posts

Thanks Agnes! That’s incredibly helpful. My plan is to track fares until something hits a good rate. I know I have plenty of time, which is so unusual for me, that I hardly know what to do. British and American are partner airlines and we’d collect frequent flier miles with them. I’d be willing to spend a bit more to fly with them for that reason but if their routes are less than ideal, it’s probably not worth it.

I came across an incredible deal via Vayama last night on a Air Canada (one of the cheapest I’ve ever seen). I’m thinking if that pops up again, I might have to snag it. That’s what led me to asking this question. Of course, then I have the whole 3rd party booking agent debate...

My other hope is that if I book early enough, I’ll be able to secure lodging at better rates/locations than if I wait...

Posted by
203 posts

Harold - Thank you! Yes, you got my dilemma. How much do I wed myself to a particular airline? I’ve seen one stops via LA (on Kayak) which would be great but not on those airlines.

This travel forum is so helpful and insightful. So grateful to you both for sharing your wisdom and tips. Much appreciated.

Posted by
755 posts

Getting a good fare by planning ahead is so smart. But once you have your booking, think about setting monthly calendar reminders on your phone to review your ticket. Changes do happen as previous posts mention. Check if there has been a routing change or an equipment change.

The airline is supposed to notify you, but I’ve had situations where that didn’t happen. If it’s a significant change that concerns you (impact on departure /arrival times, connections between flights or the type of seats you reserved) then call them to work out an alternative. This is another reason to book through the airline rather than with a third party.

Many of us on the forum love to plan in advance—enjoy!

Posted by
3522 posts

Some airlines may do that for domestic routes if there is an unexpected peak in demand. But with all the regulatory restrictions, international changes are made months in advance.

Airlines may show more different route options on their web sites as you get closer to your date if they have excess capacity (empty seats) they want to try to fill. This doesn't mean the extra offerings are better or less expensive than what was already shown.

Posted by
14731 posts

Before you book with Vayama, do some research on this company. The Trip Advisor Air Travel Forum is littered with threads regarding poor service from this shoddy company. I did a quick search on TA ATF which I will try to link to, just to give you an idea.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/SearchForums?ff=10702&geo=1&scope=2&q=Vayama&pid=34633&s=D

It may be one of those companies that does not show "live" fares so when you go to book what you think is a good deal it's never available. I'm not sure if they cobble together routes using different airlines so your connections are not protected? They apparently have wretched to non-existent customer service AFTER you purchase.

In ANY event if you can't find the same fare with the actual airline, that's a red flag. While you have time DO do some research on third party ticket sellers if you plan to book thru any of them.

Also be aware that if anything goes south with delays or cancellations the airline will have you deal with your 3rd party company not directly with them for re-booking which adds a whole 'nother layer of problems.

Also - know what you are booking on Air Canada. I'm NOT an expert but there is Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge which is a LCC (low cost carrier) that is a subsidiary of Air Canada. The LCC's sometimes don't provide the same level of amenities so make sure you know what you are booking.

Posted by
4088 posts

Say a silent word of thanks to Vayama and then start tracking your options on Air Canada's own website. It will be the cheapest as long as your comparisons are exact: Same routes, same transfers if any, same departure times and of course same fees. I think the end of this year will be soon enough to make decisions. Airline schedules do get adjusted and if you buy now you might find yourself next spring awakening to the message that your time of departure has been changed to long before dawn.

Your plan cries out for a multi-city ticket, into one airport and home from another. These have to be bought as a single itinerary using a multi-destination search function (on-line agencies offer them and so do most international airlines.) They are not a set of one-ways. You may also find that you must stay within the same airline alliance of carriers that sell each other's flights. That would prevent you, for instance, from flying one way on BA and home on AirFrance-Delta.

So yes, research now but don't rush the purchase.

Posted by
8319 posts

I would hate to think about traveling from Hawaii to Europe in one big trip on connecting flights. Such a trip would "break the camel's back."
Have you considered flying a budget flight into San Francisco Airport and then spending the night. Then catch Norwegian Air Shuttle to Barcelona, Paris or Gatwick. From any of those cities, you can get a connecting flight on a budget airline to just about any major European city?