robtuck

Yep - the online stuff was merely a hint based on the likely trends of people purchasing transatlantic flights this side of the pond, so no doubt the myriad of other factors will confuse things no end.

The one certain thing to do when purchasing flights is never look at the prices for your trip ever again (unless you have a fair that can be cancelled).

The Dublin trick is used by many seasoned travelers (it has to be the end and start point of travel as I understand it). Ton be honest, needing to study t book a flight is probably too much of a pain for me, as would be multiple legs.

plasticbag_uk

Living in northern NY state you must be in the area of my home, we fly home about every two years, we used to fly from either JFK or EWR on Virgin Atlantic, don't think I would settle for Delta because they are in a partnership, I would never board one of their planes again after a couple of bad experiences. The last two trips we have changed to flying out of Boston and got the tickets really cheap, it is also more than an hour shorter each way to drive. This last Christmas we got premium economy tickets for only $80.00 more than economy at just $1100.00 a person (round trip). Check out the prices and if you find them expensive try altering the date of travel, we cut 25% off tickets by doing that 2 years ago.

robin1234

We usually fly Air Canada from Ottawa, Ontario since it's our closest option. Occasionally we fly from Boston, since we have family there so we can leave the car in their driveway for free.

dc koop

Did a check on round trip fare economy class L.A to Heathrow, Virgin Atlantic, non stop Price $3,511.00 including all taxes. I consider than not only expensive but exorbitant especially packed together like sardines for eleven and a half hours.

Glad I no longer have any reason to fly to the UK

Giantaxe

Weird post... a 10 second search shows a return fare of $539 on Virgin, non-stop in each direction for travel in March.... Even just a week out I see a Norwegian fare (to Gatwick) for $691 non-stop.

Nutek

Personal jet?

dc koop

The source I used was Virgin's website. Don't blame me

mrken30

Google flights https://www.google.com/flights/ is a great tool if your dates are flexible. If you want to keep track of prices hopper seems to work quite well.

vikingsail

Booking flights home is like the stock market. It can vary hour to hour. I consistently use Kayak. Even so< I still clear out my cache reset my internet etc etc and the prices vary, not much but enough to make it worth doing.

The accepted internet marketing wisdom is give someone the best price the first time they visit your website (hence the cache/cookie clearing) as if not a good price they will instantly go somewhere else.

Oh and day of week both for booking and checking prices can make a hugh difference. Like I said its like the stockmarket!

plasticbag_uk

My wife is amazing at working the airlines and finding bargains. On our last 2 trips back she found by changing dates by a day or 2 she cut the cost of 4 round trip tickets to Heathrow in half, she also changed the departure airport from JFK to Boston, we almost always use JFK or Newark. We live in upstate NY and it's an hour shorter drive to Boston anyway. This last trip she found 4 Premium economy (Business class) for just over a grand each, they are normally about $4 - 5 k each, we always end up on Virgin, she finds that dealing directly with the airline is better, why pay a commission to some agent ? Do it yourself and save a packet.
I don't think that after the last trip I can ever fly economy again

mrken30

That reminds me of the time the ticket person offered an upgrade to BA premium economy for $250 and looks at me as if I'm crazy paying that sort of money. She asked me 3 times.

scot47

Reflect on the prices in the 1930s, when a transatlantic flight on Graf Zeppelin cost a skilled worker's annual wage.