Deciding at the airport...

Ficheall

Just wondering how easy/expensive it is to just turn up in, say, Dublin Airport with passport and cash and book a cheap flight on whatever soon-departing plane that there are still seats available for?

poisonated

It is very expensive. I remember I missed my flight to London so had to buy a new one there. It was about 200 euro.

Ficheall

But that was because you wanted to go to London, no? Is there no way one can say "Look, you've a spare seat going on that flight to the middle of nowhere - here's twenty euro - can I sit in?"

mikedragon32

Poisonated is spot on, OP. But hey, if you think it was just because his destination was London, then feel free to try your luck. Just be sure to post up and let us know how you get on...

Ficheall

No - I didn't mean specifically London, I meant that it was a destination of his choice...

I thought that maybe they'd want to fill seats. Though I suppose if they did that, everyone would leave their flights to the last minute.


Cheers for the replies anyway.

Our man in Havana

Also security will be asking you loads of questions. Last minute cash bookings=Red alert.

dory

You'd have to be a very rich man to do this OP.

finbarrk

Don't do this, you will get screwed. Try and pick somewhere to go on the day before and book it online.

Fratton Fred

They charge a premium, just to stop people doing exactly this. I had to get back from Heathrow a few months back and turned up at the airport. I thought I could persuade Aer Lingus or BMI to give me a cheap flight, but it didn't work They wanted to charge over £220 even right up to the point the flight was closing.

I refused to pay, so i did a sailrail in the end.

Miaireland

It is normally very expensive in my experience. Airlines seem to sell their cheaper seats first and the most expensive seats are sold last.

Also beware security and customs will be quite interested in you. It is uncommon for people to buy flights in the airport now and a last minute traveller can raise flags.

templeville

hello fichaell,
i may be in the same boat as you, have a date of when i want to travel (13/14 dec) but no destination in mind other than soemwhere warm. I know that you can get good last minute offers on hotels (laterooms.com, etc) but airlines work differently to that and tend to rip you off the later you book.

I do think the best thing to do is to decide the day before but you travel - go to travel agents and see what they have on offer. Maybe I have it arseways and there is a portal for last minute cheap flights somewhere, if you find any such site/service then please post back so I can use it to, cheers

Our man in Havana

Last minute.

CorkMan

Miaireland wrote: »

It is normally very expensive in my experience. Airlines seem to sell their cheaper seats first and the most expensive seats are sold last.

Also beware security and customs will be quite interested in you. It is uncommon for people to buy flights in the airport now and a last minute traveller can raise flags.

Yea, they'd have alsations noses up your hole :pac:

pickarooney

templeville wrote: »

hello fichaell,
i may be in the same boat as you, have a date of when i want to travel (13/14 dec) but no destination in mind other than soemwhere warm. I know that you can get good last minute offers on hotels (laterooms.com, etc) but airlines work differently to that and tend to rip you off the later you book.

I do think the best thing to do is to decide the day before but you travel - go to travel agents and see what they have on offer. Maybe I have it arseways and there is a portal for last minute cheap flights somewhere, if you find any such site/service then please post back so I can use it to, cheers

Book the flight earlier and the hotel right before you leave?

Pythia

I bought a Lufthansa flight leaving 3 hours later on Monday and it cost e211 one way. I was desperate and they were able to cash in on it.

Stinicker

I paid $565 for Vegas to New York one time and almost got the rubber glove treatment to add insult to injury.

In Munich airport I have noticed that they have counters where you arrive at the airport and can buy a package holiday (maybe just flight too) and pick your destination depending on the offers available at the time and head off that day. May exist in other countries too but haven't seen it myself.

Swampy

Maybe try travel agencies as they may have block bought seats and accom.

smalltalk

Yes I saw that too,in Düsseldorf Airport on the mezzanine level over the check in there were about ten to fifteen Travel agents booths with package holiday and last minute offers posted on boards.I take it that you can roll up on the day and pick a holiday and head off.

Stinicker

smalltalk wrote: »

Yes I saw that too,in Düsseldorf Airport on the mezzanine level over the check in there were about ten to fifteen Travel agents booths with package holiday and last minute offers posted on boards.I take it that you can roll up on the day and pick a holiday and head off.

This is a common sight in German airports and I saw it before in both Munster/Osnabruck Airport and in Bremen.