Will merger affect future flight in May?
 

Planning to book a flight wth Virgin in May next year, but just seen the merger talk etc, is it safe to book a flight with them this far out or will they start cancelling flights etc due to the merger?

Planned flight is Wed 24th May 9:15am SFO to JFK

Have never flown with them before but fly regularly with V Atlantic.

Unlikely because of the merger at that point, but very likely to have schedule changes on anything booked this far out.

So the flight won't get cancelled then but they may change what, the departure time??

Departure time, aircraft / seat assignment, routing (though the latter is most unlikely). Seven months in advance the schedules are all theoretical anyway, no matter the airline.

Ohh ok, so should I just wait then, when are the schedules finalised?

Unless you have a Virgin Visa or are buying a refundable fare, why would you book a flight from SFO to JFK so far in advance? This is a very competitive market with reasonable prices nearly all the time. There is really no reason to book that far in advance.

I just wanted to lock in a rate & I have to book a hire car, so wanted to get the dates all aligned. Plus means I can spread the cost of my trip out.

I don't mind waiting, but advice on another thread said book the rate as it was a good one.

So should I wait then until say Jan?

If the rate is good, I book far in advance if I know it is a trip I will be making. I booked a January JFK trip a couple of months ago when I found a great F fare (not on VX). Most airlines are quite flexible in permitting changes when there's a large schedule change.

You can lock in today's rate as you wish (though you have no way of knowing if prices will fall further, and if they do you have no recourse -- it's like buying a stock on a given day). If you think you're looking at a good rate now and don't mind the schedule possibly changing somewhat between now and departure day, go ahead.

There is no firm deadline for schedule tweaks -- Delta is right now cutting November departures across the Atlantic by a few percentage points owing to weak bookings, which means hundreds of passengers will have their itineraries changed only weeks before they travel.

I am sorry but unless the fare is under $100 each way, there is no reason to lock in a fare 6+ months in advance from SFO to JFK. VX keeps the fares high for holidays until it gets closer to the flight. Other days, you can often wait until a few weeks before and get the same or lower rate.

Or you can be stuck with sold out or usuriously-priced flights.

May? Mother's Day, Memorial Day, schools are letting out. Good fare now? Grab it.

+1.

I'd say if you can find $150 or less one-way for a nonstop, grab it now and don't look back. If it's higher than that, wait.

Ok so 2 schools of thought there.

To clarify, flying on the 24th May SFO to JFK, looking at VX22 which is 9:15am departure, currently $149 + $25 bag fee.

Looked at all the schedules & the seems a regular flight & price?

That is a good price for VX.

That is a good price, period. And considering when it is, it is a great price.