Reasonable airline prices for Seattle to Paris

$1,240 sounds like a good price that I would seize today considering you are flying direct from the west coast and that you are going during the busiest time a year for European travel from the states. The only way to beat the cost they charge for you to select the seat is not choose one and let the system do it when you check in randomly. Pack light carry the bag on and just do laundry if it you can't stomach the cost to check the bag.

If you don't pull the trigger and wait you should register with Delta Air France partner airlines to receive sales alert.

I would be booking at that price. (I live in the Seattle area.)

You might want to check Delta’s AMEX credit cards and see if there’s any “first year free” annual rate. Their Delta AMEX cards allow you to have one or two checked bags for free.

If you go Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, you may can get the airfares under $1K. Now would be the time to jump on those fares.

Thanks for the insight/advice. I actually just booked; the prices had dropped so that the tickets that included assigned seats and checked luggage were $1244 each. But another annoying thing; the return segment is booked through Air France and they apparently charge to select seats prior to check in! Ridiculous...

It is an increasingly common practice to pay for seat selection. Not ridiculous, but more of the norm these days. If sitting together or choosing particular seats matter to you, then just consider it part of the cost of the ticket.

Have a wonderful trip!

I have yet to pay for seat assignments and never been assigned a seat separate from my wife on any airline--even the budget airline we've been flying to Europe for the last 3 years.

I’m with Carol on this one, Davids experience notwithstanding. He is rolling the dice and he knows it. One day, not a winner. While sitting apart is a stressor, worse is a transatlantic flight in the restroom row.

candcdavi,

We recently purchased tickets on Delta from Seattle to Amsterdam (Aug.) at a similar price. We felt this to be incredibly reasonable. This current fare is actually a couple hundred less than last year at the same time! I do understand the frustration with varied pricing. From what I understand Delta and other airlines have introduced what they call "unbundled" fares. These fares are lower, but are completely non-changeable, do not include seat assignments at all (not even for a fee), and the baggage allowances vary by airlines. Delta allows for carry on baggage still, while United does not for their unbundled fares. All these changes keeps consumers searching for the best deal. Glad you took the plunge and are set for a wonderful vacation!

@ candcdavi: Using his website http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ and the combination of nonstop "See calendar of lowest fares" options, your research is accurate. The nonstop flights, despite the higher price, is preferable in my opinion due to comfort, time and one less thing to potentially go wrong. Will there be a better price? Unknown. Living in the hinterlands and not Seattle, my experience is waiting for a much better price at this time is foolish.

Candcdavi,

I just pulled the trigger on tickets from SEA -> CDG / AMS -> SEA, flying Delta non-stop with seat selection and trip insurance, for ~$1,200 per ticket.

I'm flying out late September and returning mid-October.

-- Mike Beebe

Check Iceland Air. Pick your own seats and it is a quick flight from Seattle to Iceland (7 hours) with a nice short layover. Off the plane, passport control, get on the next place.