'How long is a piece of string?' Flights question

lpd222 · 12 Feb 18, 10:04 PM

I know this is a ‘how long is a piece of string’ type question but...
We’re looking to fly Manchester to MCO direct on 3rd April 2019 returning in the 19th, 2 adults & our 10 year old daughter.
We are returning before Easter but it looks like the majority of UK schools will be on holiday. So it’s in schools hols but not Easter.

Realistically how much should we be looking at for flights and when is the best time to book?

I'm not after who to book with just an idea of what a reasonable price would be & when am I likely to get the best price - at release, January sales etc.

Once I have an idea of a reasonable price I'm likely to book when I see that price and not look again.

Many thanks everyone x

ianc · 12 Feb 18, 10:17 PM

If you want to fly on any of the main scheduled airlines (VA, BA etc) then you can only book 11 months in advance, as the tickets are not released until then and the indirect flights (which are cheaper) won't be available until then either. So to shop around you need to be patient. The package holiday companies offer holidays (but with provisional flight details) before then.
If you want an idea of prices, try a dummy booking for equivalent dates for this year on a site like Kayak, then add inflation etc.

**loves2plan** · 12 Feb 18, 10:19 PM

Thomas cook have flights for April 2019 already. No inbound flight on the 19th though - could you do 18th or 20th?
thomascookairlines

**mick** · 12 Feb 18, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by loves2plan

Thomas cook have flights for April 2019 already. No inbound flight on the 19th though - could you do 18th or 20th?
thomascookairlines

You beat me to it. I was just typing exactly the same.

We flew TC PE from MAN to MCO twice in 2015 and they were fine. At the time I said on the DIBB that it was the best food we'd had on any outbound flight. Homebound food rubbish though.

We are using them again in April.

Mick

lpd222 · 12 Feb 18, 10:26 PM

I'm aware of the 11 month release etc.
It's also difficult to compare with this year as the same time this year isn't school holidays or Easter - so I wouldn't be getting a reasonable comparison.

I really wanted an idea of what was a reasonable price to expect? In the past we've booked a package so I've no idea of a realistic price.

lpd222 · 12 Feb 18, 10:28 PM

Thomas Cook are coming out at £2,700 for 3 people - I think this is expensive but it might not be. That's why I'm asking what would be a realistic price.

**loves2plan** · 12 Feb 18, 10:33 PM

You've only got 2 direct choices from Manchester - Thomas Cook and Virgin. Virgin school holiday flight prices are expensive (try looking at this October half term to get an idea), so I think you might need to budget £800+pp.
We got cheaper Easter prices last year with Virgin by flying direct out but indirect via JFK on the way home - around £450pp.

12 Feb 18, 10:04 PM	#1
	12 Feb 18, 10:04 PM lpd222 Trainee Dibber
lpd222 Trainee Dibber Join Date: Feb 17	'How long is a piece of string?' Flights question I know this is a ‘how long is a piece of string’ type question but... We’re looking to fly Manchester to MCO direct on 3rd April 2019 returning in the 19th, 2 adults & our 10 year old daughter. We are returning before Easter but it looks like the majority of UK schools will be on holiday. So it’s in schools hols but not Easter. Realistically how much should we be looking at for flights and when is the best time to book? I'm not after who to book with just an idea of what a reasonable price would be & when am I likely to get the best price - at release, January sales etc. Once I have an idea of a reasonable price I'm likely to book when I see that price and not look again. Many thanks everyone x Edited at 10:31 PM.

12 Feb 18, 10:17 PM	#2
	12 Feb 18, 10:17 PM ianc Apprentice Imagineer
ianc Apprentice Imagineer Join Date: Jun 10	If you want to fly on any of the main scheduled airlines (VA, BA etc) then you can only book 11 months in advance, as the tickets are not released until then and the indirect flights (which are cheaper) won't be available until then either. So to shop around you need to be patient. The package holiday companies offer holidays (but with provisional flight details) before then. If you want an idea of prices, try a dummy booking for equivalent dates for this year on a site like Kayak, then add inflation etc.

12 Feb 18, 10:26 PM	#5
	12 Feb 18, 10:26 PM lpd222 Trainee Dibber Thread Starter
lpd222 Thread Starter Trainee Dibber Join Date: Feb 17	I'm aware of the 11 month release etc. It's also difficult to compare with this year as the same time this year isn't school holidays or Easter - so I wouldn't be getting a reasonable comparison. I really wanted an idea of what was a reasonable price to expect? In the past we've booked a package so I've no idea of a realistic price.

12 Feb 18, 10:28 PM	#6
	12 Feb 18, 10:28 PM lpd222 Trainee Dibber Thread Starter
lpd222 Thread Starter Trainee Dibber Join Date: Feb 17	Thomas Cook are coming out at £2,700 for 3 people - I think this is expensive but it might not be. That's why I'm asking what would be a realistic price.