What's up with this year's flights to Europe? Normally there are several special offers for summer travel by this time. So far I have seen none. Instead, discount air fares have risen in the past 4 weeks, and it can't be all due to higher fuel costs and lower dollar exchange. I am planning to fly Seattle to Vienna, hoping to snag a flight in mid-July. All I have seen is daily price increases. Will the Lufthansa direct service from Seattle give us the prospect of discount fares? One can only hope. Should I book now and bite the bullet or hold out for the potential of a summer sale later in spring?
Posted by
North Shore, MA, USA
59 posts
I don't think there is rhyme or reason for airfares and sometimes what happens will make you angry. I booked RT tickets March 13 to Paris, non-stop for 13 days in May. American Airlines. At $1700.00 for 2, it was the best fare I could find after several days searching every flight, every airline. Yesterday, on a lark, I plugged in the same info and up came a fare of $326.00 less. Same everything. I called American and was told that it get the lower rate, I would have to pay $200.00 per ticket for the change. Geeze, that is more that the $326.00 lower rate that showed in the first place. I'm in the minority I suppose, but I feel we should all pay the same fare, none of this game playing. Who knows when to try for fares? I need to be asleep at 2AM on the second Wednesday of each month with a full moon and an R in its' name.
Posted by
Richmond, Virginia, USA
345 posts
The other problem for us is that European travel to the U.S. is increasing and airlines are allocating more seats (capacity) coming FROM Europe, rather than TO Europe. Less capacity=higher cost.
Posted by
Nottingham, UK
658 posts
Steve has hit the bullseye.
Summer flights aren't empty, they have never been more full. Airlines don't discount unless they have unsold seat capacity.
I can fly to Florida for two weeks and spend less money than I would in one week at an English seaside resort.
I'm afraid that it IS the disintegrating USD that is causing this and, in a small way, fuel surcharges.