5 cheapest summer airline destinations from Boston
First, lower your expectations. There will be no huge airfare bargains this summer. With the economy still sluggish and fuel prices surging, the carriers are getting hammered.
My pal Rick Seaney, chief executive of FareCompare.com, an airfare comparison shopping site, recently put out a forecast of the six least expensive airfare destinations for this summer, and Boston made the list.
All of the destinations shared these characteristics: strong competition but a bit less demand from business travelers. Now, the same attributes that make for cheaper destinations also make these cities less expensive places to fly out of.
Bottom line: Five of the lowest-price destinations from Logan International Airport will likely be Denver, Florida (Panhandle and southern beaches), the Los Angeles area (Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Burbank), and Orlando, in no special order.
Airlines tend to start aggressively managing seats (read targeting discounts) about 10-12 weeks out. If you're looking to travel through mid-July you should start looking now; for August, wait a week or two. And plan on traveling Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays.
- Anne Fitzgerald, Globe Travel Editor
- Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor
- Eric Wilbur, Boston.com staff
- Kari Bodnarchuk writes about outdoor adventures, offbeat places, and New England.
- Patricia Borns, a frequent contributor to Globe Travel, writes and photographs travel, maritime, and historical narratives as well as blogs and books.
- Patricia Harris, a regular contributor to Globe Travel, is author or co-author of more than 20 books on travel, food, and popular culture.
- Paul E. Kandarian, a frequent contributor to Globe Travel, writes and photographs New England and Caribbean stories.
- Chris Klein is a regular contributor to Globe Travel. His latest book is ‘‘The Die-Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston.’’
- David Lyon, a regular contributor to Globe Travel, is author or co-author of more than 20 books on travel, food, and popular culture.
- Hilary Nangle is a regular contributor to Globe Travel. Her latest guidebook is Moon Maine (Avalon Travel, 2008)
- Joe Ray, a frequent contributor to Globe Travel, writes and photographs food and travel stories from Europe.
- Kimberly Sherman writes about unique happenings throughout New England.
