If you can delay your U.S. Summer holiday until late in the season, do so. You will save some money on airline tickets. Maybe a lot of money.
What every traveler to the U.S. should know
LISTEN: FareCompare travel expert Rick Seaney has more good advice for U.K. travelers.
Prices Drop in Late August
In general, prices drop in late August. The calendar may still say summer, but the last week in August generally marks the start of air travel’s Fall season.
Key date: 25 August. This is often the specific date of price-drops but it can vary a bit by airline.
We took a look at London-New York fares on one large U.K.-based airline and here’s what we found (prices are return/round-trip as of 29 May):
- Depart 10 August, return 17 August: £948
- Depart 20 August, return 27 August: £614
- Depart 27 August, return 3 September: £559
You don’t need us to tell you this (but we will anyway): The longer you can put off that August departure, the cheaper your trip will be.
Fall and Winter Flights
Lower Fall prices are generally good through mid to late October. Then the Winter season begins and fares get even cheaper.
- Example in mid-November: Heathrow to New York, round-trip, £444
Thanksgiving holiday caution: When in the U.S., avoid domestic flights around the American holiday of Thanksgiving which is the fourth Thursday in November (27 Nov. in 2014). This is an extremely popular flying period and prices within the U.S. soar dramatically on the days surrounding Thanksgiving.
