When is the best time to buy air to London for 7/2012

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

When is the best time to buy air for a cruise out of London for next June,2012? { some say rates go down just before Christmas}

[Underwatr]

June or July? Your thread title says 7/2012 but the message body says June.

 

Don't forget the Olympics schedule (the games start in late July). The normal thumbrules may not apply this summer for London.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

June or July? Your thread title says 7/2012 but the message body says June.

 

Don't forget the Olympics schedule (the games start in late July). The normal thumbrules may not apply this summer for London.

We would like to leave Jacksonville FL. on the June 21 2012

[LHT28]

When the price is right for you

[Stelladoro]

I usually start monitoring airline prices 6 months out. Saw a price dip last Jan. for our May 1st Europe trip and booked it. Good Luck!

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

I hope they go down , it is 1500$ now,

[Mary Ellen]

Between the Queen's Julibee and the Olympics don't expect any great prices (air or hotels) for London next summer. Last month I couldn't even reserve a room at the hotel we like, as it was already fully booked for June 2012.

[Keith1010]

Start monitoring prices now to get a feel for them. Check often throughout the week as they change all the time and then lock in when you feel that the price is right.

 

Keith

[Underwatr]

Aer Lingus and Icelandair are 15-20% cheaper JFK-LHR than the other airlines in my experience, if you haven't looked at them.

[greatam]

Air prices to Europe generally take a HUGE jump for flights after May 15. Summer differential is almost always 30% more than Sept 15-May 15 excluding Xmas and New Years. And the last couple of years, the differential has risen to about 40% and I have seen it as high as 50% recently. Your $1500 follows that pattern-$1000 now through May, $1500 for the summer.

 

As someone mentioned, there will be HUGE amounts of across the pond traffic this summer. Not only just for the two weeks of the Olympics, but all the support staff for sponsors, athletes, food services, security companies, etc. etc. will be going on a very frequent basis back and forth across the pond. Hotels and air will be at a premium.

 

I would certainly look at carriers OTHER than US carriers. As mentioned, AerLingus/Iceland Air, Air Berlin, Air Transat and Pakistan Air have much cheaper prices than US carriers. Some fly direct from JFK to London, some fly via a connection at their hub. Pakistan Air is flying JFK/Barcelona for $475-600RT in coach and $1100 in Business class with lie flat seats. THAT is a bargain.

 

Even if you had to pay excess luggage from BCN to London to make the connection, you are saving A LOT of money. I bet those cheap prices don't last too long.

[JanineM]

Since you're in JAX, you should check on any possible charters out of Sanford (the airport north of Orlando). There can be some better deals there. Also check on connections through Ireland. For some reason they can be cheaper.

 

But June is going to be expensive ... the Olympics alone will create an enormous demand. You may need to start saving some extra cash for that flight!

[Donray]

Obama's Job bill if passed will increase air fares and the airlines themselevs are planing on about 5% less seats nexrt year that will increase prices.

 

So, bottom line air fare will likly go up.