Security lineups. Weather delays. Crammed seating in the back of the plane (close to the front, too).
Flying isn’t always fun these days. But it’s arguably never been cheaper.
According to the latest ARC-Expedia study, economy class average ticket prices are dropping across the world and have reached their lowest level in three years.
Puerto Varas is a lovely lakeside town inChile, with great nature all around. JIM BYERS PHOTO
A report at Travel Pulse says flights have become especially more affordable to and from South America, which is gaining more and more popularity with adventurous travelers. (I was in Chile, mostly Puerto Varas and Easter Island) a year ago for an Adventure Travel Summit conference and absolutely loved it.
“Overall ticket prices continue their multi-year decline and we see nothing in the near-term data to suggest a change in this trend, especially with the increase in airline seat capacity,” ARC Managing Director Chuck Thackston said in a statement. “What all the data show is no matter how you look at it, it’s a great time to fly.”
Montreal makes a great weekend getaway from Toronto. But beware of ticket prices if you fly on a Friday. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Travel Pulse said the report revealed that weekends are the cheapest time to fly, especially Sunday. The most expensive tickets tend to be on Friday, which makes sense as folks want to get home for the weekend or get to their weekend getaway spot.
The study also said that buying tickets at least 21 days in advance could save travelers as much as 34 per cent for flights to Europe and 17 per cent on domestic flights.
“For today’s traveler, this confluence of circumstances – more planes, lower prices, more destinations – is exceptional,” Expedia Senior Vice President Greg Schulze said in a statement. “It means that the barriers to booking a dream trip are lowered. It also means that everyday travel – flights to see the family, work trips – are likely to be easier to book at a lower price.”
