With the summer holiday season approaching, travellers are searching for the best flight deals. Two travel experts have shared their insights to help holidaymakers save money.
Katy Maclure, head of community and content at Jack’s Flight Club, notes that global flight prices have risen due to higher oil costs, particularly affecting travel to the USA and Asia. However, European travel has been less impacted, with competitive fares available from UK budget carriers like Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Jet2 to destinations such as Spain, the Canary Islands, and Portugal. Recent deals have included return flights to Rhodes and Crete for under £100.
Maclure advises avoiding the most popular destinations during peak summer to avoid inflated prices. Alternative suggestions include Madeira, Slovenia, Albania, or locations in the Balkans like Skopje or Zadar. She also recommends monitoring budget airlines for regular flash sales and considering closer-to-home travel within the UK, Jersey, or Ireland for substantial savings.
On baggage, Maclure warns against hidden costs and suggests adding extras in advance or investing in specific luggage, such as Primark’s £25 suitcase with removable wheels, to avoid fees. She cautions against booking bundles that include unnecessary add-ons, advising travellers to add only what they need separately.
Rachel Mumford, UK travel expert at KAYAK, emphasises that flexibility is key to getting the cheapest deals. She recommends travelling during the shoulder season—September, October, March, or April—for optimal savings. For families travelling in peak summer, package deals may be more economical.
