(Less) Cheap International Airfares

[grussellt]

I have been watching fares to book a one-way flight back from London to Sydney in early October. Fares were around $A800 until June, and are now distorted by high-season, but October fares, which were around $950 and falling, have now jumped to over $1050 (600 pounds plus). Even China Eastern and Air Asia seem to have higher fares. Is this a response to recover revenues lost in the ash crisis or could fares fall back?

 

[k_sheep]

I suspect it's that the lower fare classes are being sold out as you get closer - scarily enough, october isn't too far away now!

 

[Logan^]

Are you booking in Australia for a LHR-SYD fare?

I would suggest getting on to a co.uk web address and booking via that if your not already.

 

[grussellt]

I have tried UK sites and sometimes Thai Airways is marginally cheaper (A$10!). ITA is showing cheapest BA fare at $A1019. Local sites, such as Expedia, seem to be as cheap as anywhere but any ideas would be well received.

 

[Logan^]

Do you need to head back to the UK anytime soon?

If so I would get a rtn and use the other portion later in the year possibly?

 

[grussellt]

Qantas (and BA) pricing is now very strange. The fare I need (05/10 LHR-SYD One way) is around GBP 602 until September 27. It then jumps to GBP839 and GBP1214 on the next 2 days and returns to "normal" on 08/10. Travel agents don't have this "fare hump" but do have some odd routes for the lower fares - generally via Melbourne. The exception is look4travel which has a fare of $A991 for travel on QF32. Any comments?

 

[Dave Noble]

Qantas (and BA) pricing is now very strange. The fare I need (05/10 LHR-SYD One way) is around GBP 602 until September 27. It then jumps to GBP839 and GBP1214 on the next 2 days and returns to "normal" on 08/10. Travel agents don't have this "fare hump" but do have some odd routes for the lower fares - generally via Melbourne. The exception is look4travel which has a fare of $A991 for travel on QF32. Any comments?

That just suggests that the direct flights to Sydney are busy for a few days whilst the Melbourne flights are less busy rather than any price rise per se,

Checking on netflights.com, they have Thai at £581 and QF via MEL at £587 , so cheap fares are there , or can go direct using Thai for £581

Fares seem reasonable. If one agent can actually get you the direct at $991 when you try to book it, then that would be better than going via Mel

 

[grussellt]

Sure enough the $A991 wasn't bookable but I decided to book via Zuji and got $A1085 a.i. which is OK for QF32. Amazingly QF online said no more cheap tickets available and quoted over GBP1245 for the same trip. I chose October 4 to come home so it will be interesting to see why it's such a popular time to travel.

 

[Logan^]

Can hazard a guess that people might utilise the public holiday in Australia (Labour Day) to get a extra day's leave/travel time. I did that last year.

 

[straitman]

Can hazard a guess that people might utilise the public holiday in Australia (Labour Day) to get a extra day's leave/travel time. I did that last year.

Most people will take any opportunity to get the extra break if they have the chance and I really do not blame them. Contrary to some people's misconceptions life is not just about work.