Advice on flight to Washington DC

spratley

If all goes to plan, I will need to book a flight to Washington DC (Dulles) in July. Date TBC, but hopefully just before end of school year. Am just looking for advice on the best time to book (asap?) & what a good price would be. I haven't flown for a few years, so have no idea. I will be looking at the websites as recommended by MSE.
Thanks!

richardw

Where in the UK are you?

Alan_Bowen

Fares to Washington are high in July already, over £600 seems to be the cheapest. The only direct flights are from London on BA, Virgin and United. I would suggest you book soon, even now with the Virgin sale on they are far from the cheapest which suggests bookings are good.

malkie76

Summer tourist destination, so the best prices will have gone already. Best time would have been last year at some point.

Consider an indirect flight (via NYC) lower costs, or even via Iceland with Iceland Air. Kuwait Air often offer excellent (non-alcoholic) prices transatlantic. (connect to IAD, DCA or BWI)

Lastly, please consider Baltimore as a direct flight if it's cheaper - immigration is much quicker (fewer international flights), and transit time to downtown DC isn't that different to IAD.

spratley

Thanks, some great info there! £600+ is somewhat more than I was expecting, so will certainly look at the alternatives. As I should have said in my question, I am in the S/East - nearest airports are Gatwick, then Heathrow.

richardw

If you don't mind flying to/from Baltimore, use the WAS all airports 3 letter code when searching, it may through up more possibilities.

BA has codeshares on many routes with American Airlines and IBeria, so check their websites as well.

United Airlines has codeshares on many routes with Continental, bmi and US Airways, so check their websites as well.