We are planning a trip to Scandinavia, for next July. It will be an open jaw itinerary, flying from Chicago to Stockholm, and then at the end of the trip, flying from Bergen to Chicago. The flights I have identified as ideal for us would be on Delta's international partners, Air France for the trip there, KLM for the trip home. Delta's calendar doesn't QUITE go out to our return date yet, but Air France's and KLM's calendars do extend out that far. I can book this trip now on one or the other of those websites, for $884. Is this a good price? Should I book now? Is there any advantage or disadvantage to waiting five more days and booking on Delta's website? Last year, I was just about to book a trip to Rome on Delta's website when I remembered a hint a friend provided, that sometimes you can save money booking directly with the international partner. I checked Alitalia, and sure enough, I saved $50 per ticket. Is this common, or was that a fluke?
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
The only way you know something's "a good price" is you track it over a number of months so you have the benefit of multiple price points to frame your decision (the more, the better). Prices go up and down constantly, even within the same day. Personally, I think you don't need to feel rushed to book now, you have plenty of time to do due diligence and not get swayed by a single price. Other downsides of booking now is that the schedules may change between now and then, your travel circumstances may change, and of course the prices will fluctuate (both up and down). I would also look into Iceland Air, SAS, and any other carriers to compare against.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3177 posts
Ticket prices can fluctuate hour by hour. If you wait 5 days, this fare might be $1,324. I would think that the price quoted now is reasonable and you might never see it this low again. If it does go lower, I doubt that it would be by much. I’d snap it up immediately,
Posted by
Chicago
7903 posts
That is a good price but if you don't want to connect to get to Stockholm Scandanavian has a direct from Chicago
https://www.flysas.com/us-en/
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23328 posts
Book it. I think a mistake is often made by thinking that tomorrow it will be cheaper. It is a little like buying stock -- very rare to buy at the absolutely lowest price. It is good to be able to buy near the bottom.
Posted by
New Orleans
1207 posts
Is it important to you to be able to choose your own seats on international flights? Sometimes it is tricky, or difficult or actually impossible to choose your seats at time of booking when you are booking on one airline's website for a partner airline's flights. I have been able to circumvent this difficulty once by getting the actual ticket number (not confirmation code) for that flight, and then using it to get a seat. (The actual carrier was Air Canada.) However, on an upcoming Austrian Air flight booked on the United website, Austrian is not letting me choose my seats, not no way, not no how. I WILL be able to choose my seats when I check in, but that will be only 24 hours before flight time. Of course, if you book directly on Air France and KLM websites for their actual flights, this should not be a problem. You may want to try a "fake booking" on the Delta site for those exact flights (a few weeks earlier than your actual flights will be), go as far as trying to choose your seats (but not pay for the flights) and see if you are able to choose your seats, OR call those airlines and ask a representative if you will be able to do so.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8417 posts
Just a note. My experience on Air France this summer was not positive. It was the smallest space I have ever been offered in an airplane. My knees had actual bruises on them afterwards from the seat in front. It inspired me to start doing the “comfort” level with it’s extra 4 inches of legroom. This made a huge difference on subsequent flights with Delta and British Airways. I will never fly Air France coach again.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Carol: I had a dreadful AirFrance flight this past Christmas with the smallest space I've ever seen...and that WAS in the Comfort (extra $$) seats. The seats in front of us reclined so far I couldn't even begin to watch my seatback tv nor could I unfold my tray table for dinner. Unbelievable.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8170 posts
Norwegian Air Shuttle is now flying nonstop from ORD into London Gatwick.
Their domestic European flight network can get you from Gatwick to Stockholm Arlandia Airport. and from Bergen back to Gatwick.
Go online to check out how cheap their airfares are. We have flow on their new.Boeing 787s. five times with no problems whatsoever.