Does anyone know when is best time to book flights

[YorkshireLassie85]

I've booked a European city break hotel as a surprise for my DH next May (2022). His big birthday is this year but...Covid.

Should I book the flights now? Or wait? I want to get the ideal flight times to suit us, but I don't know if
a) more flights will be added nearer the time
b) prices will get higher or lower nearer the time
c) the impact of the pandemic on all of this.

Seasoned flyers, what would you do?

[Zodlebud]

It depends on the city. Major hubs like Paris, Madrid and Frankfurt may well add flights but a lot of cities only have one flight a day anyway. Where there are several flights available each day then they may well cancel one last minute and bump you to a different one the same day - depends on whether they need the plane in that location for future flights or not.

Airline slots at stands are booked and planned way in advance so you will probably see good availability for next year once they go on sale. It’s much easier to cancel a flight than it is to add one.

[YorkshireLassie85]

Thanks @Zodlebud helpful to know.

I guess I also wondered if there were less flights scheduled due to Covid and if more will be added. Seems to be not very many to a major European capital.

[Zodlebud]

Flight prices only ever go up the closer to the date you fly. Flights for the large scheduled airlines go on sale 11 months and 1 day before the flight. Not sure about EasyJet etc.

I also book the flights that work best for me, but they also work best for everyone else so will sell out faster.

The BA sale is always usually really good. You also find that packaging it with even just one night of accommodation brings big savings. So, we saved £450 on flights and three nights in Singapore by packaging the two.