How far in advance do you buy airline tickets

[altec123]

I am curious on how far in advnace everyone purchases their airline tickets. I am going to be leaving the Washington DC area on August 5th to travel to Pattaya and will be returning on August 23rd. I am debating if I should buy the tickets now or wait. The most direct way and the shortest duration is on ANA thru Tokyo. The price however is $1,322 US dollars. When I look at the seat availability, particularly the flight to BKK from Tokyo the flight is less than 30% full. I am thinking that the price may go down, since I have three months to go before I travel. If I wait for a couple of weeks the airfare drops a couple of hunded dollars, however I am determined to celebrate my 50th birthday in Pattaya.

[disney]

Have bought mine sometimes 7 months ahead but only if the price is right have in the past got a direct flight from heathrow cheaper than a stop over you just have to keep checking the sites the prices can jump up £50 or £100 within a day good luck

[arbiez]

Altec,

 

If traveling on US carrier, prices are higher in summer months. Additionally, everyone travels in August. That said and considering this economy, 1300 is pretty expensive as I see flights right now from the west coast for around $650 or so, but not in the August period. As such, I'd assume you could get a flight around a grand although you're limited flying out of IAD. It may be too early to see the discount offers. Of course the caveat is if you are a member of FF program which would be worth the extra $ to gain the miles.

 

Alternatives:

 

It means an extra stop, but check flights from alternative hubs. Instead of booking the Int'l segment direct from IAD, check into Asia flights from ATL, Houston Intercontinental, SFO or LAX and take a cheapie carrier to/from IAD.

Edited April 27, 2009 by arbiez

[deadwood]

Altec,

 

If traveling on US carrier, prices are higher in summer months. Additionally, everyone travels in August. That said and considering this economy, 1300 is pretty expensive as I see flights right now from the west coast for around $650 or so, but not in the August period. As such, I'd assume you could get a flight around a grand although you're limited flying out of IAD. It may be too early to see the discount offers. Of course the caveat is if you are a member of FF program which would be worth the extra $ to gain the miles.

 

Alternatives:

 

It means an extra stop, but check flights from alternative hubs. Instead of booking the Int'l segment direct from IAD, check into Asia flights from ATL, Houston Intercontinental, SFO or LAX and take a cheapie carrier to/from IAD.

flights on united just dropped by 90.00 from austin so i said what the hell and jumped in for my late oct. departure. 1140.00

[Mark S]

.Bought my tickets for October 3 weeks ago through EVA

[Chuk Wa]

no less then 6 weeks and no more then 8 i find is good with prices

[PagMah]

I buy early ... gives me something to live for. No other reason, just need inspiration.

PagMah

[BangkapiBoy]

Altec,

 

If traveling on US carrier, prices are higher in summer months. Additionally, everyone travels in August. That said and considering this economy, 1300 is pretty expensive as I see flights right now from the west coast for around $650 or so, but not in the August period. As such, I'd assume you could get a flight around a grand although you're limited flying out of IAD. It may be too early to see the discount offers. Of course the caveat is if you are a member of FF program which would be worth the extra $ to gain the miles.

 

Alternatives:

 

It means an extra stop, but check flights from alternative hubs. Instead of booking the Int'l segment direct from IAD, check into Asia flights from ATL, Houston Intercontinental, SFO or LAX and take a cheapie carrier to/from IAD.

 

 

I have often found that flying NYC-HKG rt is cheaper than NYC-BKK. I buy a ticket off of www.priceline.com.hk HKG-BKK and end up saving money when it is all totaled up.

[KDNG]

Altec,

 

If traveling on US carrier, prices are higher in summer months. Additionally, everyone travels in August. That said and considering this economy, 1300 is pretty expensive as I see flights right now from the west coast for around $650 or so, but not in the August period. As such, I'd assume you could get a flight around a grand although you're limited flying out of IAD. It may be too early to see the discount offers. Of course the caveat is if you are a member of FF program which would be worth the extra $ to gain the miles.

 

Alternatives:

 

It means an extra stop, but check flights from alternative hubs. Instead of booking the Int'l segment direct from IAD, check into Asia flights from ATL, Houston Intercontinental, SFO or LAX and take a cheapie carrier to/from IAD.

 

Good point on the prices being higher during the summer...but even flying a international based carrier out of Japan or China will carry a higher price for the same reason, it is summer there.

 

My cheapest tickets to LOS are always during the winter months and I always fly via HKG on Cathay. The price of $1300 is not bad for August these days.

 

I typically book about 3-4 weeks prior to departure, the price is pretty much the same as if I would to book 3 months in advance. Also you might want to wait until June to book, there might be specials coming up, so keep on checking the airline websites.

[BigBangkokTheory]

Atlanta to BKK (via Japan) on Delta/Northwest in August has been fluctuating between $1,000 and $1,300 for at least a month or two...I suspect that price range will remain through mid-to-late June...the seating charts sure do look empty.

 

$1,000 is a good price point, but I'm not pulling the trigger just yet...waiting for some layoffs to shake out at work to see if I can take a LONG trip (ha ha)...hell I may not even go this year, but not for lack of cash...a long holiday might have bad optics at work nowadays.

Edited May 1, 2009 by BigBangkokTheory

[chuckrivera]

flights on united just dropped by 90.00 from austin so i said what the hell and jumped in for my late oct. departure. 1140.00

 

I just got $998 on United from East Coast for June. $140 more and from halfway across the country; you sound like a LDOP to me.

[deadwood]

I just got $998 on United from East Coast for June. $140 more and from halfway across the country; you sound like a LDOP to me.

chuck, just curious, where did you find that rate. i just checked united's site and my time frame would be 2000+ from nyc. i use sidestep, kayak, etc. etc. and the united site is always the same as their low price. i'm already booked but for future reference???? now i'm going to have to tip each girl a dollar less for the first week to make up for that 140.00!!!

Edited May 1, 2009 by deadwood

[chuckrivera]

chuck, just curious, where did you find that rate. i just checked united's site and my time frame would be 2000+ from nyc. i use sidestep, kayak, etc. etc. and the united site is always the same as their low price. i'm already booked but for future reference???? now i'm going to have to tip each girl a dollar less for the first week to make up for that 140.00!!!

 

I call my peoples...check your PMs.

[glynbuk]

I have just booked my flight today, i am 225 days away from wheels up.

 

I fly from London to Dubai and then Dubai to Bangkok and the reverse.

 

I normally fly with either Etihad (brilliant in Pearl(business) class) or Thai ( crap in business class )

but i have been watching Emirates for the last couple of days and i have the A380 on the 2 legs

from/to Dubai to Bangkok.

 

Always wanted to try the new A380 and this is my chance

[Matte]

For all those whom is interested i can arange som very good deals on Gulfair & Emirates, there are some conditions on those tickets i can arange but i gurantee it will be much greater deal than you can ever find on ur own.

 

And for the right person i can have someone meet up in pattaya for Ticket & Moneytrade so you dont have to feel worried about sending money for someone you dont know over the internet.

 

Send me a PM if interested !

 

Mr M

[g_mac]

I always book within 2 or 3 days when I get back for my next trip, no matter how long it is until my next trip. This is not so much to save money, but rather like someone else has already posted, to give me something to live for. Usually I pay around the £550 mark for a direct from LHR with either Thai or Eva. Though at crimbo this does rise to around £900 but then I don't mind because Patts is the only place I want to be on New Years Eve. Not rainey, cold Norn Iron

Edited May 16, 2009 by g_mac

[krs]

I normally buy mine 2 months in advance. Like others have said, you might want to wait for the summer sale season. I got a great price for a flight in April due to a spring sale.

 

Another trick, but only if you can get away with last minute trips, is to look 1.5 - 2 weeks in advance. I think the airlines cut the prices if the flights are fairly empty. I use sidestep for this search.

[telmah]

I'm looking at travelling LHR-BKK for 2 weeks in mid-June preferably with Eva but because of work i won't be able to book a flight until 2-3 days before i travel.

Can anyone who has travelled this route recenty tell me what seat availability is like?Flights full or not?

thanks

[g_mac]

I'm looking at travelling LHR-BKK for 2 weeks in mid-June preferably with Eva but because of work i won't be able to book a flight until 2-3 days before i travel.

Can anyone who has travelled this route recenty tell me what seat availability is like?Flights full or not?

thanks

 

Not to put you off or anything mate, I've been this route maybe 5 times, the last in March. The flight out is usually always sold out as the route is really only a stop over for LHR to Taiwan, most of the passengers on there are usually flying on to Taiwan. I know on my last flight there were maybe only 2 others sitting near me asked for a Thai immigration card. On the way back there sometimes are a few empty seats, but not many. I think 2-3 days is maybe pushing it for EVA but you never know...

Edited May 17, 2009 by g_mac

[g_mac]

I have just booked my flight today, i am 225 days away from wheels up.

 

I fly from London to Dubai and then Dubai to Bangkok and the reverse.

 

I normally fly with either Etihad (brilliant in Pearl(business) class) or Thai ( crap in business class )

but i have been watching Emirates for the last couple of days and i have the A380 on the 2 legs

from/to Dubai to Bangkok.

 

Always wanted to try the new A380 and this is my chance

 

You shure you have the A380 on both legs? If so have you checked your stop over in Dubai? It will be like 18 hours

[wolfy]

Flying in October, have tickets in hand now. CATHAY ALL THE WAY!!!!! Works for me

[telmah]

Not to put you off or anything mate, I've been this route maybe 5 times, the last in March. The flight out is usually always sold out as the route is really only a stop over for LHR to Taiwan, most of the passengers on there are usually flying on to Taiwan. I know on my last flight there were maybe only 2 others sitting near me asked for a Thai immigration card. On the way back there sometimes are a few empty seats, but not many. I think 2-3 days is maybe pushing it for EVA but you never know...

Thanks for your advice,managed to sort my holidays dates and booked Eva on 18th June to July 1st for £599 in Premium Economy.Yay

[deadwood]

Flying in October, have tickets in hand now. CATHAY ALL THE WAY!!!!! Works for me

i too already have tiks for late oct. but with united as they're my closest free ticket. i love cathay pacific though!

[loneranger]

I'm looking at travelling LHR-BKK for 2 weeks in mid-June preferably with Eva but because of work i won't be able to book a flight until 2-3 days before i travel.

Can anyone who has travelled this route recenty tell me what seat availability is like?Flights full or not?

thanks

i normally fly thai from lhr staight to bkk and book through west east travel

a month before i go and get pretty good prices from them

if you ask if they have any cheap flight the normally can get you them worth a try.

or try travesupermarket .com

hope these help

[whatuname]

Ive booked with less than 16 hours before the flight before but the price was higher , and last week booked for start of sep

which is a long way off , but it was a good deal that i could not miss....