When is the best time to book flights?

sanaxe1 · 19 Jul 2016 at 10:59

Hello, me and my family ( total of 4 of us ) are looking to fly to Bangkok for 15 days in April 2017. Will prices be cheapest now or should i wait until we are closer to the date to get cheaper flights?

Cheers.

RaohNS · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:03

Prices will be cheapest now. Friend in travel says seats become more expensive when there is less of them

doodah · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:04

Have a scan of this

p1RATE · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:11

1-3 months out is typically the best booking window

MissChief · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:20

I'd recommend booking them before your holiday starts.

[TW]Fox · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:21

RaohNS said:
Prices will be cheapest now. Friend in travel says seats become more expensive when there is less of them

This isn't the case - scheduled Airlines don't price like this, the price is adjusted constantly based on market conditions, expected load levels and what they think people will pay. This far out they are not too concerned about whether the flight will fill so prices are often higher to pick up those who book early.

Generally 6-2 months out is the period at which price will hit the lowest depending on load levels.

koolpc · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:23

I have always found prices to be cheapest when they first become available

Destination · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:26

Pick an airline, shoot down a couple of their planes, wait a couple of months, if they don't go bust, book the flights as cheap as chips.
In essence what happened Malaysian airlines.

However, I would suggest, oick your airline, follow them on quidco.
Check the flights price now, follow the airline, they will send details of any offers.
Every two weeks check back, if a sale hits at the same time as increased quidco, then book them.

Brexit will hurt flight costs, has done already, as long as fuel doesn't spike, you might be ok.

RaohNS · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:29

[TW]Fox;29799792 said:
This isn't the case - scheduled Airlines don't price like this, the price is adjusted constantly based on market conditions, expected load levels and what they think people will pay. This far out they are not too concerned about whether the flight will fill so prices are often higher to pick up those who book early.

Generally 6-2 months out is the period at which price will hit the lowest depending on load levels.

Depending on airline though. All the holidays I've recently been on have been more because of not booking when they are made available. Also depends where you are going in some respects.

Think the MSE link posted gives best idea.

sanaxe1 · 19 Jul 2016 at 23:34

Well I've booked my flights. A slight change of plans with me now going in March instead of April.

Heathrow to Bangkok flying with Emirates on a a380 800 wide body for £397 return which I'm happy with. I might of got it cheaper if I waited but I didn't want to risk ending up on Ethiopian airline's if I left it too late, it also allows me to get everything else booked.

weringo · 19 Jul 2016 at 23:37

sanaxe1 said:
Well I've booked my flights. A slight change of plans with me now going in March instead of April.

London to Heathrow flying with Emirates on a a380 800 wide body for £397 return which I'm happy with. I might of got it cheaper if I waited but I didn't want to risk ending up on Ethiopian airline's if I left it too late, it also allows me to get everything else booked.

£397 is a lot for a 15 mile journey :eek:

Amp34 · 19 Jul 2016 at 23:39

[TW]Fox;29799792 said:
This isn't the case - scheduled Airlines don't price like this, the price is adjusted constantly based on market conditions, expected load levels and what they think people will pay. This far out they are not too concerned about whether the flight will fill so prices are often higher to pick up those who book early.

Generally 6-2 months out is the period at which price will hit the lowest depending on load levels.

Depends whether it's a holiday and whether it's a holiday destination. Is the OP booking a holiday over easter? If so then the flights may well be cheaper 10 months out than close to the date.

Amp34 · 19 Jul 2016 at 23:41

weringo said:
£397 is a lot for a 15 mile journey

Costs £1.50 on the tube! :eek:

For that price you're really not going to save much even if it does do down, but it could easily double in the future depending.

lafemmefatale · 19 Jul 2016 at 23:44

Ethiopian>Emirates

sanaxe1 · 19 Jul 2016 at 23:46

weringo said:
£397 is a lot for a 15 mile journey

Well you don't expect me to get a train with the peasants do you?

..... fixed

Freddie1980 · 20 Jul 2016 at 06:39

lafemmefatale said:
Ethiopian>Emirates

Ethiopian Airlines have bad food but their air stewardess are thinner then everyone else's.

wez130 · 20 Jul 2016 at 08:51

If the food's that bad that's hardly surprising

Pawnless Endgame · 20 Jul 2016 at 09:32

Use Skycanner. Put in your flight + dates, and you'll get a weekly alert via email.

Freefaller · 20 Jul 2016 at 09:43

I've heard that 8 weeks is the golden window for purchasing flights.

joeyjojo · 20 Jul 2016 at 09:45

sanaxe1 said:
Well I've booked my flights. A slight change of plans with me now going in March instead of April.

You asked for advice then booked 12 hours later anyway?

As Fox says about 4 months before is the cheapest for long haul flights, on average. It's less for short haul within Europe.

Just forget about it now and have a good holiday.