Sudden Fare Increase?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: UK
Sudden Fare Increase?
I was looking to book travel to the USA in September (just in case it's possible) and noticed fares have increased 50% across the board in the past 2-3 days.
Previously a couple of days ago, basic Y fares LON-LAX-LON were ~£300 return, now they have increased to ~£450 return.
Is there something I don't know about as to why these have increased?
I'm aware prices fluctuate but a drastic increase during this pandemic is a little strange. That includes multiple airlines - KL, VS, BA, IB, AC, etc.
Previously a couple of days ago, basic Y fares LON-LAX-LON were ~£300 return, now they have increased to ~£450 return.
Is there something I don't know about as to why these have increased?
I'm aware prices fluctuate but a drastic increase during this pandemic is a little strange. That includes multiple airlines - KL, VS, BA, IB, AC, etc.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
I noticed that, when the South African route was open for the Chirstmas holiday season (before further restrictions announced) the prices of LHR to both JNB + CPT were way above their usual season prices. They have to take the money where they can get it.
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: A little South of North
I guess they have to try it. If, however, the punters hold back and simply don't pay those fares, the airlines will have no option but to bring them down to realistic levels again. It's really up to us!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: UK
All the above makes sense.
I'll be damned if I'm parting with 50% more though! Especially given the current climate of uncertainty.
I'll hold off booking for now, otherwise seek other countries should the need arise.
I'll be damned if I'm parting with 50% more though! Especially given the current climate of uncertainty.
I'll hold off booking for now, otherwise seek other countries should the need arise.
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Beyond the Blue Horizon
Pitonprop/ PAXboy
Some good airmiles promotions if you are flying at the moment. EK are offering me triple miles as are LH, Singapore not quite so generous so filling my FQ program currently as still flying. Not sure when I will be able to use them maybe next year for holiday with Mr Mac as she has to put up with me being away. Good deals also with hotels which are open around the world. UK not quite so good I found in Jan, as no food available, I got fed up of salad boxes !
Some good airmiles promotions if you are flying at the moment. EK are offering me triple miles as are LH, Singapore not quite so generous so filling my FQ program currently as still flying. Not sure when I will be able to use them maybe next year for holiday with Mr Mac as she has to put up with me being away. Good deals also with hotels which are open around the world. UK not quite so good I found in Jan, as no food available, I got fed up of salad boxes !
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Somewhere in the 3rd world or possibly very occasionally at home.
I flew over to the UK in September for my medical from FRA and the price was eye-wateringly higher than normal and the flight was heaving...
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 95
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From: UK
I'd feel the same way regardless of which industry I was buying from. If you've offered me a product for £300, I'd feel a little miffed that a few days later it's £450 for no reason (it's not last minute, no changes have been announced, etc.)
I'm fully aware this happens though and that fares change all the time. I was just inquiring to see if there was a specific reason (ie: restrictions being lifted that I hadn't heard about) or if it was just a 'natural' price shift in the market. The explanation of the BA sale being over makes complete sense though.
Oh well, my fault for not buying at the time.
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: U.K.
If the airline has removed capacity on the route (cancelled flights and rebooked pax) then that would increase fares on remaining rotations.
Back end of last year, one airline was operating extra sectors, empty out, to the canaries (flying with pax back) in order to maintain yield on remaining outbound rotations.
Back end of last year, one airline was operating extra sectors, empty out, to the canaries (flying with pax back) in order to maintain yield on remaining outbound rotations.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 278
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From: A little South of North
I'm not sure there will; I think it'll be a sellers' market as there'll be less competition and more demand. I think higher prices will be the 'new normal' as they recoup their losses.
I flew over to the UK in September for my medical from FRA and the price was eye-wateringly higher than normal and the flight was heaving...
I flew over to the UK in September for my medical from FRA and the price was eye-wateringly higher than normal and the flight was heaving...
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Westnoreastsouth
All the above sounds reasonable and perhaps one could add to the mix and say that most airlines probably use similar business models, usually if you book early enough and get the first block of seats sold on that particular flight then you get a good price,If somebody else comes along and books on the next block of seats it cost them more - and so on until the last minute where you might get a last minute deal if they are desperate to sell the remaining seats.
I used to 'commute' weekly from Bristol up to either EDI or GLA with Easy Jet - If I booked early enough I could fly for peanuts,so I used to book as far ahead as possible (obviously),after a while I also realised that if I booked the 'wrong way round' I could change to an earlier flight on the friday without paying any extra (because ostensibly it was the 'return' leg and of course if any seats available),I rarely knew what time I was going to finish work on a friday so that was handy
.
I used to 'commute' weekly from Bristol up to either EDI or GLA with Easy Jet - If I booked early enough I could fly for peanuts,so I used to book as far ahead as possible (obviously),after a while I also realised that if I booked the 'wrong way round' I could change to an earlier flight on the friday without paying any extra (because ostensibly it was the 'return' leg and of course if any seats available),I rarely knew what time I was going to finish work on a friday so that was handy
.Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
I expect carriers to try high prices and low prices, to try sales and mileage inducements. The recent BA sale did not interest me as they (mostly) wanted to make them combined holidays with hotel, a natural way for them to increase revenue and very sensible.
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Asia
The problem is that airlines don't know what to charge. Prior to COVID they knew how many people wanted to fly LHR - JFK return on a given day and how much they were prepared to pay, the algorithms in the booking system tweeked the fares depending on supply and demand. Now it's just a stab in the dark until things settle down and a basis to plan on is arrived at, assumptions are being made which may not happen regarding opening of borders and numbers of pax.
Personally, I would hold off until there was more certainty. If you're determined then only book on a major airline which is likely to survive and look at the refund policy, travel credits on a financially iffy airline which only operates on a single route that you'd want to fly wouldn't be much use. If I was in the UK, I'd be happier buying a BA ticket as they aren't as bad financially as some of the others, and if I got travel credits they'd be useable in future.
Note that hotel bookings for peak winter season destinations towards the end of the year are well up, it would be worth making a no deposit booking for accommodation as well if you buy an air ticket.
Personally, I would hold off until there was more certainty. If you're determined then only book on a major airline which is likely to survive and look at the refund policy, travel credits on a financially iffy airline which only operates on a single route that you'd want to fly wouldn't be much use. If I was in the UK, I'd be happier buying a BA ticket as they aren't as bad financially as some of the others, and if I got travel credits they'd be useable in future.
Note that hotel bookings for peak winter season destinations towards the end of the year are well up, it would be worth making a no deposit booking for accommodation as well if you buy an air ticket.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 440
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From: Hampshire
I have flights booked to the usa for July 2021 which were a rebooking from 2020 ones that were cancelled. I dont hold out much hope of using them though. Also i want to see family overseas but the country currently has a ban on uk citizens and rigerous quarantine requirements so am holding off booking flights until that changes. Given the current status of certain middle east places it does seem prudent to avoid transiting through there.