When to book Australia for August

[pinkcess]

When do you think would be the most opportune time for the cheapest first class seat to Sydney?
I actually want to go to Melbourne but figure there are cheaper inter-regional air line companies that I could book with. Besides, I'll probably want to stop in Sydney for a little while before going to Melbourne for my cousin's wedding.
The wedding is August 25th so should I go well before and spend time in Sydney first? Or after? Is there any benefit to vice versa?

I have no experience booking Australia and have read that this is the tail end of high season > before their summer hits.

I know AC has a seat sale on now but that promo only goes until June 13th.

Any insight for booking Australia is appreciated.

[FunSave22]

When do you think would be the most opportune time for the cheapest first class seat to Sydney?
...
I know AC has a seat sale on now but that promo only goes until June 13th.

Air Canada doesn't have a real first class. On their overseas flights they have something called executive first. I'd describe it as nicer than the normal business class in North America, but it's not first class.

The wedding is August 25th so should I go well before and spend time in Sydney first? Or after? Is there any benefit to vice versa?

I don't think it's going to make much difference. It is their winter, so temperatures are going to be a bit cool with a decent chance of rain. But I don't think a difference of a couple of weeks is going to make much difference either way on the weather.

And off the top of my head, I don't know any festival or something like that you might be missing.

I have no experience booking Australia and have read that this is the tail end of high season > before their summer hits.

The Northern Hemisphere summer is one of their high seasons. The other being during their summer from December to February. So your flight to Australia is still going to be high season. Your return might not be depending on the dates.



For economy tickets the cheapest seats are often on United, connecting through LA or San Francisco. The main reason being that United runs the oldest, most cramped planes for flights between North America and Australia. I don't know if the same will be true for first class tickets.

[nalababe]

Just be aware that business/Ex will cost around 7k, first class around 15k for carriers that offer it.

Personally, I wouldn't bother unless I was using points.

Also, many flights will allow for a stop over...look to see if you can fly to Melbourne and just stop over in Sydney either on the way there or back for a week or what ever....

[MJB]

Air New Zealand in August currently has prices at ~$1600 per person tax inc. Sale ends Feb 23.