What determines the price of an airline ticket?

You look at the ticket price and think: “Well, I’ll buy a vacation ticket in a couple of days. I’ll wait for my salary.” But when you go to buy it later, the price has noticeably increased. 

What influenced the price of the airline ticket? We will tell you about this in our article. Let's take off!

Fare

Each airline has its own fares, depending on which the ticket price changes. The fare depends on the aircraft you will be flying on and the service you need for a great trip. 

For example, by choosing the "Basic" fare, you usually buy the cheapest ticket for the route. With such fares, tickets can often only be refunded with a penalty or not at all. 

Airline fares with a higher cost often include free baggage allowance, allow free ticket exchange/refund, and provide other bonuses for the traveler. 

Airline

Prices from different airlines can vary greatly. We assume many know that choosing "Pobeda" flights means significant savings on air ticket prices. Those who enjoy comfortable flights often choose "Emirates" or Lufthansa. However, the prices for flights with such companies will be significantly higher than with low-cost carriers. 

Season

Agreed, going to the dacha in summer or heading to the sea is a good thing. Many think so, and therefore prices in spring and summer will be significantly higher. When purchasing during this period, it's best to avoid the first and fifteenth days of the month — some of the most popular dates for vacations. 

However, few will decide to go on vacation in autumn or winter, unless the destination is, of course, to warm countries. It's better to return before the New Year holidays, not after them. And it's better to relax at ski resorts after the January holidays. A small tip: it's best to buy tickets on Kupi.com two to three months in advance if you plan a trip to Europe, and 45–60 days for trips within Russia.

Day of the week

So, we reveal a huge secret: closer to the weekend, ticket prices are higher. Therefore, it's better to make a purchase in the first half of the week. The most favorable day to buy airline tickets is Thursday. The time of day does not affect the cost: the price changes based on demand for a specific destination and a certain period. 

Airline competition by destination

Of course, airlines compete with each other, which also affects the cost of air tickets. Some routes are served by only one airline, so prices for them will be higher than for routes with layovers and segments with different carriers. By the way, it's better to buy round-trip tickets at once — this way the trip will be cheaper for you.

Taxes and fees

Yes, taxes, duties and fees are also included in the cost of airline tickets. On the ticket, you may notice Latin letter codes. For example, YQ — fuel surcharge, ZZ — fee of the intermediary company that sold you the airline tickets.

Class of service

And of course, the eternal question: economy or business? Depending on the class of service, the price of your flight will be more budget-friendly or, conversely, high. 

We wish you great trips at the most pleasant prices!