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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be furious about these prices

167 replies

Atissue123 · 09/01/2025 19:06

Seriously...

Flight to Corfu (3.5 hours away) during May half £905 PER PERSON (Jet2)
....The week after £307 (also JET2)

There are some marginally cheaper ones if you go Fri-Fri or whatever (still £750 per person) This is flight only, no seats, bags or meals, no accommodation included.

I am outraged. Why is having school age children penalised in this way by airlines? Who can afford to spend almost £4000 just on flights?

I realise I am lucky to even be able to afford a holiday, but it won't be this!

OP posts:
JudgeJ · 09/01/2025 21:54

Viviennemary · 09/01/2025 21:36

Because they want to maximise profits. Children should be allowed say 2 weeks off during the school year IMHO. Other countries don't have these draconian rules in place.

Can your child's teacher take a couple of random weeks off too as they are tied to higher prices all their working life, not just for a few years?

AllTheChaos · 09/01/2025 21:54

Also there’s issues with reduced airspace due to international tensions, which means that the airspace available for domestic flight paths is reduced. Do people not follow this kind of thing in the news? It’s been heavily discussed!

Ger1atricMillennial · 09/01/2025 21:57

Supply and demand.. i.e. more people wanting the product at a specific time will make the product more valuable.

I personally think it sucks most for the teachers and would support a huge change in the educuation system where attendence is treated like a job and pupils can apply for leave at any time of the year. Though teachers might not support this as they would get the same leave as every other profession.

OonaStubbs · 09/01/2025 21:59

There's only so many holidays available at any time of year.

Or do you want hotels and holiday apartments to be built that are only going to be occupied for a few weeks a year?

Nsky62 · 09/01/2025 22:03

kva · 09/01/2025 19:56

Part of the issue is that kids here are not allowed to miss the school during term time, even for a one week holiday a year. It's not the same for my friends from the US and Canada. My Canadian SIL worked during x-mas and took her kids for an off-peak holiday after that. The value was great.

Of course airlines are using this to get more out of the situation. Who would not?..

Folk would rather not have children when off peak travelling

Yikesthathurt · 09/01/2025 22:07

MidnightPatrol · 09/01/2025 19:53

I agree it’s annoying OP - all flights now seem vastly more expensive than five years ago.

‘It’s capitalism’, ‘it’s demand’ - they could just run an extra flight couldn’t they, if the demand is so high.

Last year I booked flights to a different place because my original choice was too expensive - but the day before travel, the flight suddenly crashed in price. So the airlines ‘bet’ people would pay was wrong.

The entire flying experience is being ruined by this kind of stuff - you inevitably end up feeling screwed on base price / luggage price / timings / seat reservation cost etc.

I am particularly annoyed by paying a ‘premium’ price and then having to shell out more to… sit with my child, or take a bag on board.

It is so, so much worse than even two years ago.

Edited

they could just run an extra flight couldn’t they, if the demand is so high

What with a plane made out of Playdough? Where do think the cost of that extra plane they ‘just’ use at peak times would come from?

BrokenHipster · 09/01/2025 22:08

JudgeJ · 09/01/2025 21:54

Can your child's teacher take a couple of random weeks off too as they are tied to higher prices all their working life, not just for a few years?

Show quote history

Yeah, I dont see why they shouldn't 🤷‍♀️

kva · 09/01/2025 22:08

Nsky62 · 09/01/2025 22:03

Folk would rather not have children when off peak travelling

Show quote history

Why?

Nsky62 · 09/01/2025 22:08

kva · 09/01/2025 22:08

Why?

Show quote history

They want child free holidays

Yikesthathurt · 09/01/2025 22:09

BrokenHipster · 09/01/2025 22:08

Yeah, I dont see why they shouldn't 🤷‍♀️

Show quote history

My friend who teaches history at a large comp teaches 400 kids every fortnight. Can’t see that going down very well.

2boyzNosleep · 09/01/2025 22:10

Just because it's 'how it's always been' and it's capitalism, doesn't mean that it's acceptable.

And although I do understand what PP have said regarding airlines not making profit during off-peak, i do think that's just an excuse.

I do not know a single adult without children who prefers going on holiday during school holidays. All childfree people i know go on holiday at all other time of the year, not because it's cheaper, but because they do not have to commit to annual leave during school holidays and they don't want to go to any destination that's got hoards of families.

If I booked a mini break or holiday without children, I would not be flying anywhere during August, if I don't have my own DC with me then I certainly want to relax somewhere with lots of children/families.

Flight costs should be evened out over the year. I really don't think they'd lose profit, and is is penalising people who want to be 'responsible' by not taking their children on holiday during term-time. I accept that I may have a naive POV. People will always book flights outside of school holidays, for work, to see family.

Nsky62 · 09/01/2025 22:11

I have family abroad, sometimes I go in school holidays, depending on them, flights always more, priority boarding more, one of those things, accept it

BitOutOfPractice · 09/01/2025 22:12

it’s teachers I feel sorry for in this scenario.

For parents, Having school age kids is only a small part of your holidaying life anyway. there’ll (hopefully) be years to go off peak after they have flown the nest.

Teachers are stuck with this their whole career

LondonPapa · 09/01/2025 22:15

Atissue123 · 09/01/2025 19:06

Seriously...

Flight to Corfu (3.5 hours away) during May half £905 PER PERSON (Jet2)
....The week after £307 (also JET2)

There are some marginally cheaper ones if you go Fri-Fri or whatever (still £750 per person) This is flight only, no seats, bags or meals, no accommodation included.

I am outraged. Why is having school age children penalised in this way by airlines? Who can afford to spend almost £4000 just on flights?

I realise I am lucky to even be able to afford a holiday, but it won't be this!

You’re booking your May holiday now? You should’ve been on it last year when the flights became available. Only way to get affordable flights on any airline.

Porcuporpoise · 09/01/2025 22:15

2boyzNosleep · 09/01/2025 22:10

Just because it's 'how it's always been' and it's capitalism, doesn't mean that it's acceptable.

And although I do understand what PP have said regarding airlines not making profit during off-peak, i do think that's just an excuse.

I do not know a single adult without children who prefers going on holiday during school holidays. All childfree people i know go on holiday at all other time of the year, not because it's cheaper, but because they do not have to commit to annual leave during school holidays and they don't want to go to any destination that's got hoards of families.

If I booked a mini break or holiday without children, I would not be flying anywhere during August, if I don't have my own DC with me then I certainly want to relax somewhere with lots of children/families.

Flight costs should be evened out over the year. I really don't think they'd lose profit, and is is penalising people who want to be 'responsible' by not taking their children on holiday during term-time. I accept that I may have a naive POV. People will always book flights outside of school holidays, for work, to see family.

Well how about you buy your own airline and run it on this basis? Or a hotel, or resort, or anything really. Do your bit.

mumda · 09/01/2025 22:18

ChrisS36 · 09/01/2025 19:07

Supply and demand. That how a market functions.

Unless it's a housing market in which case they do all sorts of nonsense.

Affordable. Shared ownership.. schemes to get you to save a deposit.

jazzhands84 · 09/01/2025 22:18

I used to be a travel planner so happy to offer some ideas if anyone wants them?

Europe has abundant great campsites with waterparks attached. They are around 40euros a night in August if you bring a tent with entry to everything included (pools, slides and more). They often have tents available to book if you don't fancy putting your own up. Now is a great time to get camping equiptment in the sales or second hand. Camping is going to be the cheapest option but many sites have lodges and cottages available onsite too.

If you want some pointers, the RCN sites in France, Netherlands and Germany are well run, have wifi, electrical hook up and many have a TV cable available, all in the middle of a forest.

Theres a few great theme parks you can tie in for a stay. Disney is the most obvious but consider Efteling too. It take 2-3 days to see it all. Restaurant prices aren't ludicrous either.

Hope that helps, very happy if anyone wants to PM me for other ideas or resorts that are still hot but not well known so cheaper.

Tryingtokeepgoing · 09/01/2025 22:19

2boyzNosleep · 09/01/2025 22:10

Just because it's 'how it's always been' and it's capitalism, doesn't mean that it's acceptable.

And although I do understand what PP have said regarding airlines not making profit during off-peak, i do think that's just an excuse.

I do not know a single adult without children who prefers going on holiday during school holidays. All childfree people i know go on holiday at all other time of the year, not because it's cheaper, but because they do not have to commit to annual leave during school holidays and they don't want to go to any destination that's got hoards of families.

If I booked a mini break or holiday without children, I would not be flying anywhere during August, if I don't have my own DC with me then I certainly want to relax somewhere with lots of children/families.

Flight costs should be evened out over the year. I really don't think they'd lose profit, and is is penalising people who want to be 'responsible' by not taking their children on holiday during term-time. I accept that I may have a naive POV. People will always book flights outside of school holidays, for work, to see family.

How would you even prices out? The prices need to be lower in ‘off peak’ weeks to fill the planes. Don’t you think that if they could charge more in those weeks they would already be doing so? They are charging what they have to to fill the plane. So, if they lower the prices in the 12 or however many weeks of school holidays then that profit is just lost. And, because demand would be even higher than it already is in those peak weeks of the prices were lower then your chances of getting a ticket would be minuscule anyway. They’d sell out almost immediately.

Beentoofar · 09/01/2025 22:20

BrokenHipster · 09/01/2025 22:08

Yeah, I dont see why they shouldn't 🤷‍♀️

Show quote history

Assume you are therefore happy for your kids to be off for those extra two weeks too then as there is very little wriggle room in any school budget these days to pay the teachers they have, let alone cover for additional staff holiday…

Jabbabong · 09/01/2025 22:22

JessiesJ99 · 09/01/2025 19:12

Best thing to do is take them out of school for 2 or 3 days & book flights on the Wednesday or Thursday. I've saved a lot of money by doing that before.

I agree with this unless it's an exams year for them.

2boyzNosleep · 09/01/2025 22:23

Porcuporpoise · 09/01/2025 22:15

Well how about you buy your own airline and run it on this basis? Or a hotel, or resort, or anything really. Do your bit.

Show quote history

FFS what a childish response. If you reread my post I said it may be a naive pov- 2nd from last sentence. Now you do your bit and buy YOUR own airline or resort and run it how YOU want 😝

Yikesthathurt · 09/01/2025 22:25

2boyzNosleep · 09/01/2025 22:23

FFS what a childish response. If you reread my post I said it may be a naive pov- 2nd from last sentence. Now you do your bit and buy YOUR own airline or resort and run it how YOU want 😝

Edited
Show quote history

At least it might succeed, you’d be bankrupt!

2boyzNosleep · 09/01/2025 22:29

Tryingtokeepgoing · 09/01/2025 22:19

How would you even prices out? The prices need to be lower in ‘off peak’ weeks to fill the planes. Don’t you think that if they could charge more in those weeks they would already be doing so? They are charging what they have to to fill the plane. So, if they lower the prices in the 12 or however many weeks of school holidays then that profit is just lost. And, because demand would be even higher than it already is in those peak weeks of the prices were lower then your chances of getting a ticket would be minuscule anyway. They’d sell out almost immediately.

Show quote history

Again, 2nd from last sentence- I admit that it may be a naive pov. My point is there are lots of people that do not want to travel at peak school holidays time and choose to travel at other times- their reasons aren't purely financial, they would simply prefer a holiday without lots of families. July/August is when most European countries are hottest and it's too uncomfortable. A lot of childfree people tend to prefer going May/June time or Sept/Oct, or somewhere long-haul in the winter months.

StormingNorman · 09/01/2025 22:30

ZestyLemonBiscuit · 09/01/2025 19:35

Name change for this for obvious reasons…

I work for a large airline in finance and the thing that shocked me the most when I joined was how low the margin per passenger is over the course of a year. It’s very much a volume business - in a once class airline like Jet2, I’d be surprised if they were making more than £25 per passenger over the course of 12 months.

Sure, you’re £905 may represent more profit than that… but the previous week could be operating at a loss. There are so many fixed costs at an airline, a leisure airline like Jet2 and TUI will be making a loss in the winter months - and their goals is to reduce that as much as possible.

Plus of course, gate fees… you want to land in Corfu in half term - cool, so do people from Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia, Mainland Greece, Italy, Eastern Europe… so Corfu airport will charge the airlines more. Want to land there today? Significantly cheaper. Want to fly from Gatwick for half term… cool, so do millions of others so they’ll charge Jet2 a premium to do that.

You get a Ray Liotta for that!

peachystormy · 09/01/2025 22:34

Bojo72 · 09/01/2025 19:25

I don’t go abroad anymore as simply can’t afford it. The hassle is getting worse too by the sounds of it. My sister spent 2.5 hrs getting through passport control at Faro when she landed in August.

Wow that's shocking what was the big hold up?

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