How to save hundreds of dollars on your airfares

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Travellers willing to be flexible in booking trips can save hundreds of dollars on airfares as international and domestic travel regains popularity post-pandemic despite surging costs.

Figures from travel search engine KAYAK show the average price for international return economy airfares from Australia for travel in the second half of this year is $1,826, a 51 per cent increase on the same period in 2019, just before the onset of the pandemic.

December is the most expensive month during the second half of 2023 to travel overseas.Credit: AP

Even compared to last year, international return economy fares from Australia for booking in the second half of this year remain 23 per cent higher.

Though prices remain high, those who can avoid travelling to the Northern Hemisphere during its summer months or during Christmas can enjoy considerable savings. The KAYAK figures show December is far and away the most expensive month for most overseas destinations from Australia.

For example, a return economy airfare to London for travel in December this year costs $2729. However, the same flight costs only $1758, a saving of $971, if booked for October, the cheapest month.

The prices are for round trip, economy class travel with departure from any airport in Australia. These are the fares, averaged, among departures from Australia and are a guide only. There will be differences in the actual fares, depending on the Australian city of departure.

They are the prices found by those searching on KAYAK.com.au and associated brands from the start of this year to April 20, for travel in the second half of 2023. Prices quoted are likely to have changed since the search period.

A return flight to Paris is most expensive in December, at $2687, with October the cheapest month, at $1967. Similarly, a return economy seat from Australia to Los Angeles costs $2149 in December, but $1601 if taken in October, a saving of $548.

For those who can wait until next year, the high prices of international flights are expected to moderate, as more flights are added. Qantas has a goal of returning to 100 per cent of pre-COVID-19 international flying capacity by March 2024.

London, Bali, Tokyo, Paris and Los Angeles are the five most popular destinations searched from the start of this year to April 20 for travel in the second half of this year.

For those looking for an overseas holiday a little closer to home, Bali is most expensive in December at $817, but by departing just a month earlier, in November, the price falls to $555. Tokyo is cheapest in August at $1155, compared to paying $1629 for those travelling in December.

While return economy international airfares are up 51 per cent, on average, for travel during the second half of this year, compared to the second half of 2019, domestic fares have risen only 10 per cent over the same period, and are 15 per cent higher than last year.

The most expensive month to fly return economy class to Melbourne is September at $395, compared to $245 for travel in the cheapest month of October.

Return flights to Sydney are most expensive in December at $388, compared to $225 in November, the cheapest month.

Bonza CEO Tim Jordan disembarks its first flight earlier this year.

The entry in late January of low-cost carrier Bonza, the first high-capacity passenger airline to enter the domestic market in 15 years, could put downward pressure on domestic prices.

Bonza mostly operates on previously unserved routes that connect regional centres to holiday destinations, allowing passengers to travel directly, rather than through a major city.

Its network covers 27 routes across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The airline has recently added flights from Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport.

• Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

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