Comments on: 2008 FareCompare Air Traveler Forecast - Stormy Weather Ahead

By: Kathy Nailen

Kathy Nailen — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:48:47 +0000

I am interested in flying to and from Paris, France from either Birmingham, AL or Atlanta, GA on 12/25 and 1/1 respectively.
Please advise where to start looking.
I would appreciate any emails on changes in pricing.

By: Rick Seaney

Rick Seaney — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:41:41 +0000

I recommend people start shopping about 4 months early but earlier is fine as long as you look at our history and check out the star rating on prices. In general airlines start actively managing prices about 4 months before departure, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a sale that is a good price outside 4 months before departure. Let technology help you understand the pricing activity — sign up for our free email alerts on MyTrips and get both airline ticket prices down and/or up activity alerts so you can follow what the airlines are up to — checkout the history and you’ll make the best buying decision.

By: lh

lh — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 02:58:54 +0000

you had recommended not to buy tickets more than 4 months in advance…is this still true

By: Rick Seaney

Rick Seaney — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:03:03 +0000

Hi John, comment #2

If you’ll note it says “shop early” — not “book early”. Use our data to know what a good price is and follow your particular market (which you seem to be doing quite fine) and you’ll always get a better deal. Information is vital on making the best buying decision.

Cheers,

Rick

By: SG

SG — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:16:39 +0000

I think you got it all wrong. Are you allowed to bring food and drinks from home? Nearly at all airport chekcs I was FORCED to either throw them away in the wastebasket or consume them before boarding. So, there is either
-You BUY food and drinks on board
-or you just starve or get terribly thirsty.
There is nothing like “I bring my own food and water”. Another to way to FORCE people to buy instead of free snacks.

By: John Zumrick

John Zumrick — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 18:16:44 +0000

Book early you say. I have been tracking fares on Delta usually Jax-Las. I have noted that most often the highest fares are those more than 10 weeks prior to departure. The optimum time frame seems to be 6 weeks for this routing.

My approach is to know what is a good fare and when it appears grab it. Of course when prices are rising than you can only guess what is good.

By: cd

cd — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:22:33 +0000

Look, if you really want an arm rest that badly then pay for first or business class. If your goal is the cheapest fare possible then you really can’t complain as long as you get a seat, leave and arrive close to on time and have a safe, clean plane with competent staff. Real problem is lack of tiered pricing for amenities. Getting rid of food service was a great idea, if i want something to eat i’ll bring it. AirCanada has gone one better and on cheap tickets lets you choose to add or cut more options - no checked luggage save an additional $5, no pre-selected seats save an additional $15, etc. Next step will be to hold certain seats for frequent fliers with status or those paying more. My prediction is that people traveling on the cheapest of the cheap tickets won’t be able to pick seats in advance.