Want the best travel deal over summer? Academics weigh in with surprising stats
Want to get the best deal when travelling over summer? Then the tried-and-true method: travel on Christmas Day.
So say two RMIT academics who have analysed fares over the festive season.
“There’s always a lot of discussion about how to get the best deal when you’re travelling over summer. The tried-and-true method is to travel on Christmas Day,” said Justin Brownjohn is RMIT Aviation Academy operations manager and a former network controller for major airlines.
“Domestic travel goes crazy in the days leading up to Christmas. And then international travel is popular from Boxing Day and into the New Year. If you’re looking for a relatively stress-free day of travel, and to make some savings, the sweet spot is December 25th itself.
“For example, a one-way flight from Melbourne to London on Christmas Day with one major airline costs $1684. The same fare is more expensive across the festive season, including on Boxing Day. If you were to book in the New Year, it would cost almost 70 per cent more.
“Beyond the savings, it’s often far less stressful to travel on Christmas Day. People are in a festive mood and there’s a shared sense of community at airports for those working and travelling. There’s also a feeling of gratitude to staff who are working to keep airlines flying over Christmas.”
Associate Professor in Finance, Dr Angel Zhong, specialises in global financial markets, behaviour and trends and said dynamic pricing taps into the urgency and emotions of the holiday season, knowing many travellers are willing to pay more to reunite with loved ones.
“This makes it crucial to stick to a budget and avoid spur-of-the-moment purchases,” Dr Zhong said.
“For budget-conscious travelers, the unpredictability of airfare changes can be tough. Tools like price alerts and fare trackers can help manage costs and avoid surprises. Planning ahead, being flexible with dates, and considering alternative airports can also make a big difference.
“Airlines adjust prices in real-time based on demand, seat availability, and competition. Over the festive season, surging demand often leads to sharp price increases, leaving late bookers to bear the brunt.”
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