Aer Lingus flight purchase advice

Hi, I'm hoping someone here can give me a second opinion. I have a trip to Rome coming up in November and need to buy my flights for it. I'm flying with Aer Lingus. At the moment they're about €180-200 return depending on which flight I choose on my selected dates. However being a student this is a little dear for me. Today Meteor have an offer for €30 off flights to Rome but only for the next 24 hours. The other people going on the trip are telling me to wait and see if they get cheaper but I'm not sure they will.

So, people who fly more often than me: is it likely that Aer Lingus will have a sale or something in which they'll come down or should I bite the bullet and buy them now while I can still get them somewhat cheaper?

Thanks for reading!

kaki

Generally speaking airlines initially put the standard fares up first to gauge interest and demand for a particular period. If the demand is high for the period (school holidays, local events/festivities, Friday-Sunday weekend flights) then the price will remain high (or increase).

If the demand isn't so high, then through experience I've found that the best deals are to be had about 2.5 - 2 months before departure.

**Timbuk2**

You could try looking at www.skyscanner.net and see if you can get the flights any cheaper by being flexible, or by flying a combination of two different airlines (e.g. Aer Lingus there, Ryanair back).

Here's a sample search departing on November 7th and returning on November 10th

PrinceMax

I'd agree with kaki. I find that flights tend to be most expensive when bought last minute and the second most expensive time to buy is well well in advance. There is a period maybe about two months before a flight when they're cheapest. (I think)

However, if there is some sporting event of other big thing going on, then book now.

Thanks guys. This is about 3 months in advance, think I might just get them now to be safe, although I'll be kicking myself if they do come down :P

Savman

I would not pay €200 return to Rome, there is healthy competition with both Aer Lingus and Ryanair operating the route (albeit to different airports, but if you're on a budget this shouldn't be a problem).

I just did a dummy run on Ryanair and it came up €63.98 for a return trip to Rome Ciampino in November travelling midweek. OP, I suggest you look a little harder.

SilverSparkle

And to add to the above poster, I flew with Ryanair to Rome in July. Then got a bus from the airport to Rome centre for €4 and it took only about 30 minutes.

I could be wrong but from what I have read, the airport that Ryanair fly to is closer to the center of Rome than the one Aer Lingus fly to.

Unfortunately the flights with Ryanair for my dates are nearly as expensive and the times are more inconvenient as I'm flying out for a wedding and need to arrive early.

Dodge

SilverSparkle wrote: »

I could be wrong but from what I have read, the airport that Ryanair fly to is closer to the center of Rome than the one Aer Lingus fly to.

Thats the case alright. Very few facilities in the 'Ryanair airport' if thats an issue but closer to city centre. I think its about 15 KMs, compared to 35 KMs for the main airport

Obviously doesn't help the OP as flight times don't suit but thought I'd add anyway...

Savman

Deleted User wrote: »

Unfortunately the flights with Ryanair for my dates are nearly as expensive and the times are more inconvenient as I'm flying out for a wedding and need to arrive early.

Well I guess your options are limited in that case. You could look at flying out with EI and back with FR if it might save a few quid, it would require 2 separate bookings and a prepaid Mastercard (to avoid Ryanair fees) but it's easily do-able.

Either way, you can choose to pay the current price or play the waiting game and see if they drop, absolutely impossible to tell however. Remember that they can go up in price too, so you could end up paying more. It's a gamble either way tbh.

TingTong

kaki wrote: »

Generally speaking airlines initially put the standard fares up first to gauge interest and demand for a particular period. If the demand is high for the period (school holidays, local events/festivities, Friday-Sunday weekend flights) then the price will remain high (or increase).

If the demand isn't so high, then through experience I've found that the best deals are to be had about 2.5 - 2 months before departure.

Hi Kaki,

Would you apply this train of thought to Aer Lingus USA bound flights as well?