Can I arrive at an airport and just jump on a flight?

mobfant

I want to go somewhere in Europe for the bank holiday weekend. Departing tonight either from London or Birmingham. And ideally cheap. As is evident, I'm pretty flexible. I've heard stories of people turning up at the airport and just jumping on an available flight, but is this really that easy?

lilac_lady

You'd need to use the steps up to the plane! Sorry, couldn't resist that after I got a mental picture of you clinging to the tail of a plane. In films people do that but I'm not sure if happens in real life. Perhaps someone who works in an airport will answer your query. Enjoy your week-end.

benjus

You can buy a ticket at the airline desks in the airport... just don't expect it to be cheap.

phatbear

Apart from the kids holidays the real way airlines make money is with late flyers, is people need to get somewhere fast will have to pay a premium.

For instance if you bowled up at stansted tommorow and jumped on a plane to alicante one way would cost you £135 without baggage etc, however take the same flight in a weeks times and its £60 cheaper, the days of just turning up and jumping on a flight for a cheap break are long gone, along with free upgrades etc.

all the best

the bear

dzug1

mobfant wrote: »

I want to go somewhere in Europe for the bank holiday weekend. Departing tonight either from London or Birmingham. And ideally cheap. As is evident, I'm pretty flexible. I've heard stories of people turning up at the airport and just jumping on an available flight, but is this really that easy?

Yes it's that easy. Don't forget your passport.

What it won't be is cheap - it will be the most expensive fare available on that route.

And as it's a bank holiday weekend there won't be much availability either.

M4RKM

you will be better searching now while you're infront of the computer, to get maybe a better price..

the days of getting the cheapest price just as the aircraft is being prepared are long gone... as dzug1 has said.. it will be the most expensive fare