Hi Ted, Comment #4,

I would tend to agree with you that economic indicators are not looking so bright, but that has not seemed changed demand much. In recent airline calls for the 3Q earnings they are all upbeat on demand in the Q4 including advanced bookings …

Airlines will always offer deals, in is in their blood, so don’t worry unless you are in a non-competitive airport.

I conclude that the numbers on farecompare are best applied to non-peak travel, then.

For what’s it worth, here’s a prediction. Consumer spending seems to be on a downward trend in the last few months in concert with falling home prices and reduction in credit availability. I predict the airlines will have some trouble filling the flights this holiday season at current prices, and will be forced to offer some deals.

TH

Greetings Ted, Comment #2

Of course there are always exceptions, but be aware that airlines are not likely to give up their 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th cheapest published airfares on peak holiday travel, they are going to charge 5th, 6th … because they can — demand high supply getting lower is not a good combination for waiting

As an update American and US Airways just significantly matched last night so those buying tickets on them are going to be $10 or $20 lighter in the wallet …

Best: $322-$354
Good: $355-$378
Fair: $379-$403

And aren’t you saying right there on your website:

“Right now, the cheapest available price is $660. This may not be a good price considering that the cheapest published price is from $322.”

$660?? $322??

I’m been checking since August when the cheapest available price was $500+. That’s still a long ways from $322 and I’m simply not going to believe that all Christmas tickets are gone by the end of August, so what gives?

I’m not procrastinating, I’m waiting for the airlines to match the usual holiday prices according to your fare trend graph!

Sincerely,
Tedd Hadley

Delta matched and so are Contiental and US Airways, Bloomberg is using us as definitive source on breaking airfare news.