Going to Australia for Christmas - when to book flights

[Janefx40]

We’re hoping to fly to Sydney over Christmas/New Year to see friends. The prices seem ok right now (not that I have a comparison) but my Dad is nearly 90 so we’d ideally like to book nearer the time when we have a sense of how his health is. Don’t want to go if he’s unwell. Does anyone know if the flight prices are like to get crazily expensive if we wait? We are a family of 2 adults, 2 kids if that makes a difference!

thanks!

Look at flying from Dublin. So much cheaper.

Oooo interesting. Thanks @ChaliceinWonderland

I fly across from UK to NZ yearly.
Christmas is really expensive.. the most expensive time flights.
I would book flights asap.
The cost insuring a 90 year old is likely to be horrendous too.. if they will insure him.
Many will be avoiding flying via Middle East so costs flights via Singapore or Asia are already going up.
i wou;d start looking now.

Thanks @LunaTheCatsorry for clarity he’s not coming with but I’m nervous about going away for 3 weeks when he’s so elderly in case he is taken ill when we’re gone. So it’s more just to have a better idea about his health when we book.

thanks tho - it may be better to book now but pay more for changeable flights

Yes, book it asap. Prices will only go up.

Book as soon as you can they only get more expensive.
Also check European airlines if you really want to save some money. The last time I went was with Finnair nice clean planes and good service and by far the cheapest I could find. It does take longer as it’s an extra stopover but you can save a bit of money that way.

Agree with the previous posters that to/from Oz over Christmas really is peak period, there's high demand, it's unlikely prices will drop.

Also given current events the direct flights or connectors that avoid the Gulf and instead use the likes of Singapore might become.v fashionable

A bit mystified the "via Dublin: comment though.

Thanks everyone

Most of the Dublin flights go via a Middle East stopover so not the best option at the moment. There is more flexibility on routes from London.

Yep, out of interest just for the heck of it I've just looked at the likes of Sydney ex Dublin and for example Turkish will facilitate it, avoiding the Gulf.

But of course Turkish go via Istanbul and then often there's another connection in the Far East, somewhere like Singapore/KL or Jakarta.......

Fares for DUB-SYD return aren't bad, it's possible to go eastbound Dec, back in Jan for around 1500 euro, but some of the itinaries would be trying, and of course if your start point is in the UK then that adds sectors.