Flight prices for June

[Caerphilly]

I'm looking to return to Phuket next June and from initial search for flights the costs are way in excess of what I was charged in 2005.

I know I benefited from reduced rates this year post tusami but as stated in other threads I've always been under the impession that early flight booking got the best prices with rates creeping up nearer to departure.

Can anyone who is a regular off season visitor advise on a "typical" cost of UK to Phuket flight, preferably with Thai Air as the EVA flight times basically reduce the overall time in Phuket by 1.5 days in comparison with Thai Air flight times.


My 2005 rate was just over £400, best I've found with Thai for 2006 in just over £600. other middle east airlines are high 400's but is 30 mins adequate to change planes at Dohar? And any users/views on China Eastern Airlines and overakll trip duration with China Eastern


Cheers
Caerphilly

[stevem]

June next year, the airlines will only have full fares loaded. It is too far away for any cheapies to be loaded into the system.

[Dodger]

From my experience just keep checking on Thai air they have many promotions and you should get within/approx £400. I got flight April, looked in January £600+ was told by travel agents wait til feb new deal coming out got £345, checked for flights for July in May Thai were £659 this dropped to £365 on deal in June. If you got friendly travel company just tell them to contact you when next thai deal comes along.

[Coolhand]

£465 with Gulf Air on Opodo

[Sirgezza]

Originally Posted by Caerphilly

I'm looking to return to Phuket next June and from initial search for flights the costs are way in excess of what I was charged in 2005.

I know I benefited from reduced rates this year post tusami but as stated in other threads I've always been under the impession that early flight booking got the best prices with rates creeping up nearer to departure.

Can anyone who is a regular off season visitor advise on a "typical" cost of UK to Phuket flight, preferably with Thai Air as the EVA flight times basically reduce the overall time in Phuket by 1.5 days in comparison with Thai Air flight times.


My 2005 rate was just over £400, best I've found with Thai for 2006 in just over £600. other middle east airlines are high 400's but is 30 mins adequate to change planes at Dohar? And any users/views on China Eastern Airlines and overakll trip duration with China Eastern


Cheers
Caerphilly

I got a price of £485 about 3 months ago (for a December 28th 2005 flight)with Qatar and it is still at that price now.

Doha is a small airport with about 8 (I think) departure gates all under one roof, so transferring is quick and easy. I saw the flight you are thinking about and did not book it, as there is only one flight per day with Qatar out of Doha to BKK. The 30 mins interval seemed a bit dicey (what if you are delayed by 30 mins on take off from UK?).

Since booking I have noticed special offers coming up that are cheaper (but not at Christmas). Maybe you should keep an eye on the pages for a few months before booking, especially as you are going out of season.

[faultytowers]

I usually check out June prices when I get back from my Songkran trip. Only time I ever book up a lot in advance is if I am arriving Christmas or New Year when flights are full. When I flew out this year, last week in May, I only organises ticket 4 weeks before and still managed to get a good deal on Thai.

[Caerphilly]

thanks for prompt responses...patience was never a virtue....but the wait until post christmas at least seems the best way forwards

yes the 30 mins change flight time leaves a lot in the lap of the gods!!