Airline tickets

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Will be going to France and England late spring/early summer. My sense is travel to Europe will be down this year. How will that effect prices? Could there be last minute deals if flights aren't full?

[Ian Comerford]

The sense at this end is that there will be a reduction in travel to the USA (from Europe) due to it getting more difficult to get through immigration. Numerous instances in the news. Not sure if this might affect travel from your end

[Rick Lee]

ETIAS doesn't start until late 2026. So there should be no problem going there this summer. The only direct flights we have from Phoenix to Europe are Air France to CGD and British Airways to LHR. Condor to FRA recently ended, but Air France is adding more frequent flights between PHX and CDG, so they're predicting an uptick in travel. IME, there are so many great deals and flight options from the east coast. Phoenix is a little more difficult. I think it was once claimed here that the best time to book is 53 days out.

[Brian 162]

We’re flying Air Canada to Heathrow in Sep. and returning from Charles De Gaulle. We’re heading over on premium economy and we got a pod for the return (it was on sale).
We paid around $7,000 Cdn. With your dollar you should pay less.

[LWJ]

It is the Golden Jubilee in Rome. Expect huge crowds. All of Italy will be jam packed.

As for cheap travel, I just came back from Rome in December. We paid $400 RT from Portland. Summer? Tix don't go on sale nearly like this. I would get on Google Flights and start playing with dates and locations and see what is best.

[LWJ]

EDIT: I just searched Google Flights. Boston to Paris 4/27-5/6 RT on PLAY (never heard of them!!!) for $360. That sounds like a total deal, assuming you don't fall out of the sky in a flaming disaster. Do a bit of research because there apparently ARE deals to be had. Enjoy!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by LWJ

EDIT: I just searched Google Flights. Boston to Paris 4/27-5/6 RT on PLAY (never heard of them!!!) for $360. That sounds like a total deal, assuming you don't fall out of the sky in a flaming disaster. Do a bit of research because there apparently ARE deals to be had. Enjoy!

THanks, I found Play in my searches. The problem is you might be stranded if you use them. But they are in the mix. I wish Norwegian was still flying out of the US. Relatively low cost and excellent.

[A930Rocket]

Little rocket man and myself are flying Delta out of JFK to Paris next June, for the 24 hours of Lemans. I had enough points on my Amex with Delta that I only needed to pay $80, for premium economy. First class would be nice, but we wanted to save money for the week in Europe.

Searching for compression socks and inflatable seat cushion….

[wilnj]

I just booked airfare to Portugal for May. Certainly not the high season but I was surprised as I expected to pay closer to $1000 but got economy for $650. I'm traveling solo and with a carryon so I didn't need any upgrades.

The real shocker was the rental car. About $150 for 7 days when booked through the airline. I could have gotten the car for half that if I was willing to go to an off airport location.

[LWJ]

^^^Yes for the inflatables!!!

[wdfifteen]

No more premium economy or economy plus for us. The last two times we booked it I swear it was worse than plain old economy. The first time out seats were just inside the door. All the time the plane was loading I had to practically sit with my feet on the seat to keep from getting stepped on by people boarding. The throughout the flight people were standing there, sometimes in groups chattering away together. The next flight we were against the forward bulkhead in the center row. We had legroom, but the other passengers used the extra legroom we bought like it was I-95, crossing between aisles. We didn’t get a moment’s peace during the whole flight. One woman tripped on my feet and fell on Vicki. Flight attendants were not helpful. From now on it’s business class for us.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Little rocket man and myself are flying Delta out of JFK to Paris next June, for the 24 hours of Lemans. I had enough points on my Amex with Delta that I only needed to pay $80, for premium economy. First class would be nice, but we wanted to save money for the week in Europe.

Searching for compression socks and inflatable seat cushion….

That sounds like a great trip!

I've never heard of an inflatable seat cushion of flying but will get a pair, thanks.

[Otter74]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

ETIAS doesn't start until late 2026. So there should be no problem going there this summer. The only direct flights we have from Phoenix to Europe are Air France to CGD and British Airways to LHR. Condor to FRA recently ended, but Air France is adding more frequent flights between PHX and CDG, so they're predicting an uptick in travel. IME, there are so many great deals and flight options from the east coast. Phoenix is a little more difficult. I think it was once claimed here that the best time to book is 53 days out.

Visting the UK will require an ETA, however:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

[Shaun @ Tru6]

What I was expecting

Economic turbulence shakes US airlines as travel demand falters

[IROC]

Yep, my girlfriend has a review in Germany in June, so I was going to tag along. Nope. Tickets are generally $2400+.

I'll be in Sweden in two weeks and my tickets are $2150.

[David]

Wife bought our summer trip to Italy tickets in January. Price seemed higher than normal for premium economy. My 36" inseam makes economy on international flights miserable so I suck it up and pay. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I don't fly much for work so I don't get many airline miles. I do put as many expenses on my credit card as possible so every other year or so I have a free ticket.

This may be the year we wish we'd waited to buy tickets but then my wife would be freaking out so really not worth waiting. My wife plans everything way in advance so at least we get a good deal on nice accommodations.

BTW, this will be first trip I've planned to ride on. I've lined up a road bike to rent for 10 days in Tuscany. No planned route, just going to get up and ride for an hour or so in the mornings while the wife sleeps in.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’m a frequent flier on Delta, I occasionally see last minute deals but not often. Delta seems to keep their flights pretty full though so maybe it’s more prevalent on other airlines. I’d say that if you’re not going at peak vacation season and are flexible on schedule and airline then there are probably deals to be had. I’m risk averse and a planner by nature, so I book stuff months in advance.

[Deschodt]

If demand is faltering I have not noticed, tickets are $2000+ each year from west coast to Europe. Business class seats for a family of 4 = one decent automobile..

Seems every passing year we get less for our $, on everything... At the current pace of decline, it seems we'll re-establish the old european middle ages class structure shortly (nobility - the uber rich, the religious class - now in charge of heathcare, and the peasants - the rest of us). Hell even Measles is coming back, bring on the plague next... Full circle !

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Otter74

Visting the UK will require an ETA, however:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

I wonder what the point of this is

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by Tobra

I wonder what the point of this is

in short, a return of the favor for the US requiring a similar visa for Europe for several years now (ESTA)... In this day of everyone having our SSN, prints, and aircraft boarding being done on facial recognition now for int'l flights I've taken (not to mention global entry, all of the above, scan your face say hi to customs, 30 seconds), it seems rather pointless... they all know who's going where. But there you have it !