When do airlines announce sales?

Posted on September 24th, 2014. Written by bookingbusinesstravel.

The title of this post could also be, “When is it best to book flights?”

If you are intending to book travel in say 10 months’ time, it is very difficult to judge when is the cheapest time to book your flight?

This article applies to long-haul flight-only travel and not to short-haul or “low-cost” airlines.

If you book as soon as the flights are “loaded” in computer systems you may pay too much as the airlines are likely to reduce fares once they have monitored demand.

There are two or three things that you have to consider when trying to work out when is best to book flights in advance.

Demand for seats

Is there an event going on at the time you wish to travel?
A trade show or something similar?
If that’s the case then seats will be taken irrespective of the fare and the cheapest prices will not reappear.
In which case, book immediately!

Flexibility 

If the dates or timings are fixed and of importance then it may be safer to book immediately.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Historic Sale Dates

We have monitored the sales of both airlines over several years and the following pattern has emerged. NB Both BA and Virgin have a tendency to match fares and sale dates….

SPRING SALE

From mid to late February to early March

WINTER – CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR SALE

Around 20 December to 3^rd January but often extended to mid to late January

SUMMER BUSINESS CLASS SALE

During the first week to 10 days of June, to encourage you to fly business class during the low (corporate travel) summer season

SUMMER SALE

1st week or 10 days of July.

(Far too late for summer bookings of course, but is an enticement to forward book)

AUTUMN SALE

Early September to the 23^rd or 24^th September

Also the 1^st week November. This year, (2014) British Airways started their Business Class sale a little earlier, from 23 October to Wednesday 12 November

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