Flight prices have finally seen a significant drop, with business and economy seat prices nearly halved compared to last year's fares. James Kavanagh, global leisure CEO for Flight Centre Travel Group, described the price drop as immense.
Increased competition and capacity among airlines have been the main drivers behind these low prices, with carriers battling it out through recent sales.
Prices to popular destinations like the UK and the US have finally started to fall. Last year, the average price for an economy seat from Sydney to London was over $2,600, but in the current sales, fares are around $1,200. Even business class fares have seen a substantial reduction, with flights from Sydney to LA offered for just below $7,300, compared to the average price paid throughout 2023.
There's also good news for those looking to travel to the UK, with an average business class fare from Melbourne to London (via China) available for around $5,200, almost half the average fare from last year. Major airlines like Qantas, Emirates, and Qatar are offering return business class flights from Sydney to the UK at around $9,000, 10% cheaper than recent fare levels.
Cheaper deals are also available on indirect services, such as return-fares through Vancouver with Air Canada starting from $6,764 and Philippine Airlines offering a return fare from $5,276. With airlines competing aggressively on price, Flight Centre expects to see more eye-catching deals in the coming months as capacity increases and competition intensifies.
To secure the cheapest fares, booking early is advised. It is also recommended to use a travel agent to ensure travelers get the best deals to suit their needs. The current price drops indicate that airfare pricing is starting to normalize, providing great news for travelers and making international destinations more affordable for Australians.
