Originally posted by bostonbrit
Fares are very fluid. There's a wide range of factors associated with the fares charged. As investment advisers say - past performance is not a good indicator of future performance. Airlines have large departments, known as Revenue Management, focused on maximizing the revenue (yield) from each flight. Many factors are taken into account, including competitive activity. It's not always true that the closer to the date of departure, the higher the fare. An airline seat is a perishable thing; once the passenger door is closed, you can't sell any more tickets! So, if the departure date is fast approaching and the flight is 'wide open', you could see some amazing fares. Many airlines in the US have "this weekend" flight sales for example to deal with so called 'distressed inventory'.
Hope this helps a little?
I agree. Earlier this year, I was researching flights to Vegas. They kept changing - then I went away for a week and wehn I got back, first thing (well almost) I did was to check the prices. They'd DROPPED by £200 each - same parameters! I almost fell off my chair, but luckily regained my balance and booked them. Quickly.
In real terms, does anyone know if prices have dropped? It seems so to me. I remember us looking at flight prices when the kids were small - the cost of an adult economy then was not much less than you can now get PE. Not that I'm complaining.....
Posted: 09 Nov 2005, 19:59