International flights are expensive and scarce this summer. Here's how to plan your trip.
PHOENIX, Ariz. — If you're thinking of flying internationally from Phoenix this summer, finding a seat will be harder – and more expensive – than last year.
Data from AAA released in April showed international travel bookings increased more than 200% from 2022, and airfare is about 30% more expensive for international flights from the U.S.
The highest demand is for European and Canadian itineraries, according to AAA. They include destinations with flights out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: London and the Canadian cities of Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; and Toronto, Ontario.
Airlines are taking notice.
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Delta Air Lines President Glen William Hauenstein recently told investors that 75% of their seats on international flights this summer are booked. Most of Delta's international flights are based out of hubs like John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City; the carrier also has nonstop service between Phoenix and Calgary, Canada.
American Airlines recently told its investors that about 82% of its year-over-year flight capacity growth in the second quarter of 2023 comes from new and restored international routes.
"Revenue intakes in the past month are well ahead of the same booking period in 2019, including robust international bookings as customers returned to long haul international travel this summer," Devon May, American Airlines' chief financial officer, said during the company's earnings call.
Beyond the booking data, a passport backlog at the U.S. State Department and a difficulty of finding appointments at passport acceptance facilities in metro Phoenix are also signs of higher demand for international travel. Passport applicants now must wait 10 to 13 weeks for routine service.
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Why international flights are selling out this summer
The reason for the high demand is simple: People are ready to trot the globe again after the COVID-19 pandemic kept them at home and placed greater restrictions on international travel.
"Travelers are making up for lost time and willing to spend more to see the world," Paula Twidale, senior vice president of travel at AAA, said in a statement.
Sky Harbor's international passenger data, for example, shows the demand is there.
Airport staff counted 706,953 international arrivals and departures from January to March 2023, up about 60% from 2022 and about 10% from 2019, pre-pandemic. Recent growth in international travel contributed to Sky Harbor smashing three travel records in the first quarter of 2023.
These are the hardest seats to find on international flights this summer
When The Arizona Republic, part of the Paste BN Network, checked airlines' websites to find how scarce international flights from Sky Harbor are for travel in the next two months, one common thread emerged: Mid-tier service between basic economy and business/first class is the most popular way to fly internationally.
This class, often advertised with phrases like premium economy, offers seats with better legroom than basic economy and perks that might include checked luggage, a better boarding position and dedicated overhead bin space.
American Airlines and British Airways' Phoenix-London routes, Condor Airlines' seasonal flights between Phoenix and Frankfurt and Delta's Phoenix-Calgary flights showed limited or no space in intermediate class seats on most dates in May and June. Those itineraries still had economy and business/first-class seats available.
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Tips for booking international flights
Travelers who have their passports in hand but haven't yet booked their overseas getaways should consider these tips:
- Don't wait until the last minute. Booking your flights as early as possible will ensure you'll get the best fare and seat selection. Prices tend to increase the closer it gets to the departure date.
- Consider traveling during "shoulder season." The months between peak periods and off-peak periods, also known as shoulder seasons, typically offer decent weather and a chance of lighter crowds compared to peak season. Every destination's shoulder season is different, but typically it's early April to Memorial Day in the spring and mid-September to Thanksgiving in the fall.
- Consider the off-season, too. AAA advises that off-season travel gives travelers the chance for better deals on airfare as well as lodging. For instance, October and February tend to be the least expensive months to visit Europe.
- Fly in the middle of the week. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the most affordable days to fly, not only because of less demand but also because some airlines add weekend surcharges.
- When in doubt, seek a travel agent. Travel agencies may have access to vendors that offer better rates than consumers may find by purchasing direct from the airline, said Jennifer Berk, a Phoenix-based travel advisor concierge with Carlisle Travel Management. Travel agents may also get customers more value for their money with packages that offer additional perks, as well as helping them steer clear of travel scams, she said.
- Insure your trip. Travel insurance is essential when traveling internationally because it helps when an emergency or illness disrupts travel plans, Berk said. "Travel insurance can make or break you," she said.
Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.