Nia_Nia

Hi,

Mu husband and I are planning on going home for two weeks over Christmas 06 and we're not sure wether we should book the flights as soon as we can (i.e six months in advance) or wait for a possible late deal. What does everybody else do?
What are the best and cheapest companies to go with?

Thanks.

Manc

just keep checking orbitz (who I use) check them daily. sooner or later you'll come across a great deal.

There was one last week with Lufthansa who were $300 cheaper than every other airline. But 24 hours later, the prices were gone.

Just keep checking.

AdobePinon

Depends on where you are. Down here it's Continental, not because their base price is cheaper, but because their taxes are up to $250 less than some other airlines. I used to get the best deals at the end of September, but it's all very unpredictable. Everyone down here (other than Continental) put their prices up a few weeks ago. This time in November seems to be rather late for getting a deal, but you never know. It also seems that the old trick of flying on Christmas and New Year doesn't get you a break any more.

Englishmum

She did say Xmas *2006*!

Normally you can only book airline seats up to one year ahead..so it's best to start looking after Christmas 2005....

AdobePinon

Yeah, and she said buying six months in advance!

Beer:30

I have generaly found (in the last 3 xmases a anyway) that the sooner you book for the week before xmas the better off you are. The only time I got a cheaper fare was flying out xmas eve and arriving xmas day.
That was no fun and I don't recomend it.

Manc

How can Continentals taxes be any lower?

It's the government that sets taxes, not the airlines.

AdobePinon

Yeah, I have no idea why taxes and fees vary so much. Here's some I just pulled up off of cheaptickets for ABQ-LON 12/21-12/30 (all one stop)

Continental $700 ($811 with T&F)
American $770 ($890 with T&F)
BA $679 ($955 with T&F)
Delta $835 ($955 with T&F)
United $949 ($1077 with T&F)
Lufthansa $794 ($1109 with T&F)

Manc

that's because of stops and destinations.
German taxes are different to British taxes, therefore BA and Lufthansa taxes are different. Also flying with Lufthansa, you pay German tax landing in Frankfurt, then British tax landing on your connection into UK.

obviously BA doesn't need you to pay the German taxes to land in Frankfurt.

if Continental flies 1 stop via EWR then you only pay taxes once, whereas if you were to change in DFW and O'Hare with AA, then you pay 2 lots of taxes, because you are landing at 2 US Airports..
etc etc.........

that's just a theory on why they appear different..........

could be a load of tosh.

BigDavyG

I think the important thing here is that its taxes & fees, and they can basically make up whatever fees they want to make up the price so that they can claim the headline grabbing low fares.
If I remember correctly ryanair once tried to charge me £174 for a £2 fare. I think they got fined for pulling stupid stunts like that repeatedly.

Shahlax

Taxes are to do with with which airports you use, including stopovers. You are right.

psb182

just found the same flights on the same day.....AA from BOS to MAN direct flight both ways taxes $112.........$603 + $112 taxes & fees = $715 per person

BA same nonestop flight both ways from same airport taxes $222 ....$493 + $222 taxes & fees = $715 per person

go figure

franc11s

I am trying to get someone out here from the UK and flights from the UK are running at $500 upto Dec 3rd and over $1700 from the 4th....

Ouch, that's at least a week earlier than normal....

Manc

it's the same airplane. oneworld alliance American Airlines 757.

psb182

yes it is the same plane......same times all the way around......how can they get away with that.......one charges 222 and the other 112 taxes