Flight price difference

sweaty_betty

Hi there - I"m looking at going to Florida in the holidays next year.

The only place I can find prices for over a year in advance is on Thomson/Virgin websites. They are quite high!

To get an idea of possible variation in prices, I checked skyscanner for flights at similar times, but this year (e.g. if looking at going on 28 July 2016, I looked at 26 July 2015). The prices were around £500 cheaper each.

Is this because the flights are still available near to the date? Or will more flights be released within the 12 months before flying?

I'd like to avoid paying £2000 extra for flights if I can, but at the same time don't want to miss out on the dates we want.

Anyone have insight into this?

TIA

PeacefulWaters

Wait until BAand others release flights and monitor from there.

bagand96

Most airlines release flights around a year in advance. So you're looking a little too early for July next year. Thomson and Virgin are available because tour operators tend to release much earlier. Wait until August/September to ensure all flights are on the market then get a better idea

Also bear in mind that they might not be cheapest the moment they are released. There are usually sales over Christmas and New Year where you might find a good price. That said airline pricing is incredibly hard to predict so have a price in mind you are happy with.

The price today for mid July this year may be very good or very expensive depending on whether they've got a lot of seats left to sell or not. But if you have set dates it would be risky strategy to wait until this time next year. Out of interest what numbers are you looking at for both this year and next year?

sweaty_betty

Thanks both.
The numbers I've seen for this year are around £700 (although I understand some flights are available for £500 - which would be even better!). When looked in advance with tour operators they are over £1200...

Sounds like I'd be best to start looking in August time.

I know I'll be paying through the nose for flights in school holidays, but it's unfortunately unavoidable (school age children and adults who work in education). But I do want to get the best price I can

Moto2

Also check out prices flying from elsewhere, it can be much cheaper.
Dublin is a popular choice

budgetflyer

If you wait until this time next year then you should get similar prices to what you see this year for July/Aug.
May be even less if APD is scrapped in Scotland as has been previously rumoured

crazycamper

Schedule airlines such as Virgin, BA etc release their seats 11 months in advance.

photome

budgetflyer wrote: »

If you wait until this time next year then you should get similar prices to what you see this year for July/Aug.
May be even less if APD is scrapped in Scotland as has been previously rumoured

I hadnt heard that

could be a mass exodus to Scotland rather than Dublin

jpsartre

crazycamper wrote: »

Schedule airlines such as Virgin, BA etc release their seats 11 months in advance.

355 days for BA.