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Why are airfares from Melbourne to Thailand higher in June and July compared to February?
Airfare ComparisonFlight PricesThailand TravelHigh Season vs Low SeasonAirline Pricing StrategiesExpat Travel TipsBooking FlightsFlight DemandSchool Holidays
Jan 17, 2024
2 years ago
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERAn airfares question. Looking at airfares from Melbourne to Thailand yesterday. Why would Thai Airways fares (Melbourne - Bangkok - Melbourne) for next month, still high season in Thailand, be approx $950 in February, then in June, low season for Thailand, be around $1300+ climbing to $1900+ in July? Advise used to be to book early, but fares can hardly rise further. I paid $1300 to go in June last year, and the plane was full in both directions. Does the fact that it's high season mid year in Europe impact fares to SEA from Australia? Other airlines are similarly high and low in the same months. Thinking of holding off booking till a month before I travel in the hope that fares may drop (given the low fare for next month), but don't recall spare seats in June and July of last year on the same route. Hoping someone might be able to provide an answer or some insight.
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post discusses the puzzling fluctuation of airfares from Melbourne to Thailand. It questions why Thai Airways fares are approximately $950 in February (high season in Thailand), but rise to around $1300+ in June, which is typically low season for Thailand. The discussion highlights the potential influences of European travel seasons hitting the Southeast Asia market, Australia's winter holidays, and the overall changes in flight pricing based on demand and booking timing. Users provide various insights, suggesting that prices could decrease as departure dates approach or that seasonal factors and competition from other airlines may also lead to price variations.
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Alma ***************
My one way ticket from canada to bkk was 1400cad..so no surprises there!
Bart **************
Because low season in Thailand isn't low season elsewhere. Thai Airways flies many passengers to Thailand, but even more via Thailand to third places. The northern hemisphere summer months are by far the most popular ones for flights, as that is when like 90-95% of the people can get time off. It even holds to Thailand itself to some extent, despite the rain.
Metta *******
Why high season need to be more expensive while they use the same amount of oil and provide the same service? Moreover they have a plane full of passengers to share the cost compared tk low season the flights are not full?
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Metta ******
I made the same 'low season' trip at the same time for about the same price last year and the planes were full.Reply to
John ***********
Reply
Peter ********
Supply and demand. Works for the airlines always.
Robert **********
Fly to Bali, direct flight. Have a night in Bali then fly to Bangkok. Total cost about $600.
Tim *********
Nearly answered your own question, as pricing reflects their anticipated demand for seats. It's tough for airlines to make profits these days. If they're filling the plane it's because they got the price right (or maybe even, too low!)
Pertti *************
Last time I check direct Bangkok-Oslo 200€ but prices change every day many times. When we came from Arlanda to Bkk direct flights were 380€. Sounds bit expensive compared our flights November?
Paul *********
Probably Australian school holidays
Paul *********
July and August would be school holiday time.
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ********
Only 2 weeks - 29 June to 14 July. First thing I checked.Reply to
John ***********
Reply
Mike *******
Sad Facks:
Airfares to and from Australia are always high!!
Flights to Thailand are always popular!!!
All seasons!!!
Pay up don't worry too much !!!
PS: Thailand is getting more expensive by the day !!!
Airfares to and from Australia are always high!!
Flights to Thailand are always popular!!!
All seasons!!!
Pay up don't worry too much !!!
PS: Thailand is getting more expensive by the day !!!
Greg *********
Just keep searching.there are times thoughout the year when you get good prices
Durrant ********
You buy anytthing in Australia now and as you know its expensive and airlines are no different. Everything in Thailand is going up too. Its just a sign of the times get used to it. Private businesses can charge what they want
Bob **********
Not a very great high season there trying to get some more two week millionaires over to keep
Are girls happy
Are girls happy
AU *****
June and July are considered peak season in SE Asia.
Terary **********
It "seems" to me that Petrol is more expensive in Northern Hemisphere Summer months. In the United States, gas prices surge at/about the Memorial Day weekend (consider by many the beginning of summer).
That is only a guess.
I assume as the date draws near the price will change and that change will be driven my market influences, demand of seats vs demand of fuel with a few other influences.
That is only a guess.
I assume as the date draws near the price will change and that change will be driven my market influences, demand of seats vs demand of fuel with a few other influences.
John *******
Thats what you get when you live in Melbourne
Annie **********
Hello John, I don’t know the answer to your question, but I’m just wondering if it’s to do with July being winter in Australia? As I said, I really don’t know the answer, but this just occurred to me 😊☀️
Nigel **************
If you put your desired details into Skyscanner they will track the prices and tell when it's at it's cheapest
ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
Inflation
Andrew *******
We are flying in on Thai Air from Melbourne in July. We paid $650 pp one way. Our ticket out of Thailand is to Bali Indonesia and was $211 pp one way.
Kylie ********
Price increases from Australia during Australian school holidays.. eg April, July n sept/Oct
Bob ********
The thing is now, the ticket prices are like fuel prices in Victoria, up to 20% difference over a week, plus Thai caters for the Indian and Israeli Market, who transit through bkk, so they charge accordingly, Aussies to Bkk are only a small part of their business. I now look at all the other airlines and go via either Singapore, KL, Vietnam,Taiwan or even China, comparable prices and something different along the way. I am waiting to see what the new Turkish airline will do to prices as it increases seat to Europe, which will create space on transit flights through Bkk.
Mychi ****
It is school holidays for international schools in Thailand beginning April for 2 weeks for Songkran, also end June - late August. Thai schools has 2 months off in April etc.
Galenus ******
Winter in AUS? Many want to escape?
Mike ********
You lot seem to be well clued up, I’ve heard in the past that having a VPN on your device gets you a better airfare,.worth trying i guess ?
Greg *********
Check out flight prices from Ottawa Canada. That'll make you feel better.
Greg *********
@Mike *******
At least browse "Incognito".Reply to
Greg *********
Reply
Jo **********
very simple they have an algorithm that looks at seats sold/available seats. Then prices adjust automatically
Marko *********
There are 2 flying seasons,from October to April and April to Oct. You are trying to see the price in the second one but flights for that season are still not 100% defined and final,and in that case prices are probably higher. After they(airlines) release final schedule then prices could drop and then will be high or low only because of seats availability on specific date. I assume,you can expect Jun/July price below 1000$ in March/April/May. It's good to buy in advance but not too early.
Garrett ***********
June, July, and August are the most expensive times to fly.
Wyn **********
I think it's best to book about one month before now where as it used to be the other way round you would book well in advance .People are catching up with travel now after covid and get excited so they book early and the airlines up the prices.
Ian ********
Try Jetstar
Janne ***********
that far out, the airline will try to get bookings for the higher fares for pax eager to by early, when those fares does not sell well at an expected time frame, then fares will start dropping, and once they start selling lower fares, then they will start going up again,,,all programmed like this in advance. had the pleasure of working in that field for 40 years in the USA,,,
Mark **********
They are stopping 40% of flights from March
Global warming bollox
They are just not letting any of us know
Airlines industry
It’s over …for now 🥹🙄🙄🙄🙄
Global warming bollox
They are just not letting any of us know
Airlines industry
It’s over …for now 🥹🙄🙄🙄🙄
Stephen *******
@Mark *********
What a load of rubbish! Keep your tin foil hat fastened.Mark **********
@Stephen ******
lol 😂 we’ve ALL had the letters & memorandum ⏰ 🕳️👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 no tinfoil here Moses
Good luck …..take ya blinkers of ya zombie 🧟♀️
Stephen *******
@Mark *********
Which is it? "Letters and memoorandum" from whom? Q? Or
They just aren't letting us know?
Mark **********
Reply to
Mark **********
Reply
Ling *****
Mine is the opposite. Sydney to Bangkok return most of the year has been around $1200. But today I put in a end of May return and it came out at $968 so $200 cheaper that usual, might get that.
Richard ******
On orbitz there are flights for 600+. I never book with orbitz; however, I use them to find which airlines are offering the best deals. Good luck
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERLove all the quick replies from everyone which give me food for thought and prompted me to explore other options, or at very least pay more than I had hoped to do! Travel insurance isn't exactly cheap anymore either - cost me a bunch last time with motorcycle accident coverage.
Peter ***********
@John **********
try Tick insurance. Very reasonableReply to
Peter ***********
Reply
Aaron *******
Thai Airways always high.
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Aaron ******
It's not that much higher given it flies direct from here and has meal and alcohol service. I am 70 now and like to consider the flight as an enjoyable part of a holiday, without hanging around airports on stopovers or paying inflated prices for rubbish food and luggage with Jetstar, the only other airline flying direct. I'd rather pay the extra now for a bit of comfort and convenience, and it's nice flying a Thai airline into Thailand.Reply to
John ***********
Reply
Robert *******
Try chesp o air
Leroy ******
Yep, school holidays and winter prices. Always been like this. From about Mayish onwards to August they're more expensive.
Try and always buy as early as you can - they are a bit cheaper that way but if you want to fly in our winter (Melbourne) they fleece us for pricing.
I'm leaving for BKK on 2 February and bought the flights in September last year - much cheaper way. If you can 🙏👍
Try and always buy as early as you can - they are a bit cheaper that way but if you want to fly in our winter (Melbourne) they fleece us for pricing.
I'm leaving for BKK on 2 February and bought the flights in September last year - much cheaper way. If you can 🙏👍
เฟร็ด **********
the airline industry along with all others are doing their best to bleed the consumer dry any which way they can
Dustin *******
There is a sweet spot to buy them now. Not too early and not too late.
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dustin ******
So you are suggesting prices are not going to get any cheaper? Seems bizarre though that I could book less than a month out now and pay almost $400 less than June and half the price in july.Dustin *******
@John **********
************************************************************************************************
%20Expedia%20study%20found%20that,least%2021%20days%20before%20departure.Dustin *******
@John **********
They will most likely go down, I think it is 21-45 days before.Reply to
Dustin *******
Reply
Brown ********
Im flying with AirAsia next month $920 return. I know that airline is average but it's a direct flight from Sydney to Bangkok and $300 cheaper than thai airways. But it mainly won me because of departure and arrival times in Sydney. Thai airways time is screwed for me living in Canberra as I have to stay in a hotel the night before leaving and the night arriving due to no transport back to Canberra. So in hindsight I'm actually saving around $600 by putting up with a shittier flight
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brown *******
For much the same price I could fly Thai next month. Sounds like you have more options out of Sydney. Thai also suits me timewise going both ways.Reply to
John ***********
Reply
Rod *********************
Flight prices vary in regards to length of stay...how long are you going for?
Richard ********
@Rod ********************
Price determined by demand.Rod *********************
@Richard *******
yeah true.. but in saying that my flight was chockersReply to
Rod *********************
Reply
Tony *********
@Rod ********************
not necessarily mate .Rod *********************
@Tony ********
yeah not always.. maybe I'm wrong... but I've found this on a few occasionsReply to
Rod *********************
Reply
Rod *********************
Thai airways prices don't make sense...
But I've found its a length of stay thing
But I've found its a length of stay thing
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rod ********************
A month.Rod *********************
@John **********
i just arrived in BKK yesterday. I booked for 3 mths. Cost $1011.1 month was approx $1500.
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rod ********************
But I can book for one month leaving February and pay only $934 with Thai. It's the added expense in June and July, particularly July at $1900 that has me perplexed.Rod *********************
@John **********
could be that its low season... and people take advantage of that🤷♂️John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rod ********************
I would have thought that June to August would be lower season. Certainly February is high season for Thailand still.Rod *********************
@John **********
yeah I was talking about your flight intention in June/JulyReply to
Rod *********************
Reply
Paul ********
Covet conspiracy every thing expensive?? Price will come down little bit
Allan *********
Try Singapore airways
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Allan ********
Just checked out Singapore Airlines and they have several flights which are cheaper than Thai in June, though mainly leaving early in the morning from Melbourne, and with maximum stopover times of 2 hrs. The one airport I would not mind checking out is Singapore, so a stopover there would not be so tedious. Good suggestion.Terry ********
@John **********
Well that 2 hours will probably be taken up with a security check when you disembark followed by an identical security check before you board your 2nd flight. This was my experience when Gulf Air added in a 2nd stop at Singapore from BKK to London last April.. What made it more absurd was that the 2 security checks were at gates right next to each other separated only by a glass wall. And no staff told passengers not to bother putting their laptop, belt, wallet etc. away as they would need to take it all out again about 5 minutes later! And I thought that Thailand was the only SE Asian country lacking in logic....lol.John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Terry *******
I just read that Changi is the only airport that does the security check at the departure gate rather than prior to immigration. Did not realise there were two of them!Reply to
John ***********
Reply
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Allan ********
No direct flight. Only 2 airlines fly direct Melb - Bangkok - Thai and Jetstar, the latter which I won't again fly. Scoot is probably the cheapest but not by enough to dissuade me from booking a direct flight. I just don't understand the high prices at the lowest point of the Thai tourist season, particularly when Google claims June to be the cheapest month generally to fly to Thailand.Tony *********
@John **********
Don't Thai AirAsia X flight diretc from MelbJohn ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tony ********
Not in the past and I thought they always do a pit stop in KL.Tony *********
@John **********
No . That's AirAsia X ..... which stops at KL and then Lands at DMK ..Thai AirAsia X fly direct to Bkk from Sydney daily . I thought Melb had the same
Reply to
Tony *********
Reply
Allan *********
@John **********
Melbourne to Singapore for 2 hours then to BangkokJohn ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Allan ********
I will check out Singapore airlines. And August.Reply to
John ***********
Reply
Allan *********
@John **********
well I go in August and my flight was $950 with SingaporeJohn ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Allan ********
With a stopover? From Melbourne?Reply to
John ***********
Reply
CN ****
Air fare changes by the minute. Fares go up and down quickly. Good luck with your search.
Henrik *****
School holidays ?
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henrik ****
No. I deliberately set dates outside school koliday time here.Reply to
John ***********
Reply
Tony *********
I was looking at flights for the 5th April to Khon Kaen from Sydney yesterday and it was 1200 return . Which I found very cheap being Songkran month for Thailand .. so I don't k ow how the pricing work to be honest
Lee-Ann *******
@Tony ********
I think the price reflects on from Australia, when you are booking from Australia like school holidays etcTony *********
@Lee-Ann ******
well it's school holidays in April for Easter and Anzac day so I would of thought that would of made April expensive.Lee-Ann *******
@Tony ********
yes, it willReply to
Lee-Ann *******
Reply
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lee-Ann ******
There would be Australians looking to escape winter in Europe, but school holidays are only two weeks long so they are easy to avoid.Reply to
John ***********
Reply
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tony ********
May was cheaper than June so I imagine April is cheaper still, though still much more than $934 next month. Also Sydney would be cheaper than Melbourne.Reply to
John ***********
Reply
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