With the end of the third wave and thanks to the advance of vaccination (if we take into account the Government’s forecast of having 70% of the population vaccinated before the end of summer), more and more Spaniards are turning their eyes on the second half of the year to fly and get out of a routine that already lasts too long.
But when is the best time to book? According to the cheap travel website Holidayguru.es, now. In the UK, bookings on airlines like EasyJet jumped 337% after Boris Johnson’s de-escalation announcement a few days ago. In Spain something similar was experienced in the summer of 2020 and prices will rise in line with demand. The fact that this boom has not yet occurred means that, on the one hand, prices remain low and on the other, that the offer is very wide since the airlines have their frequencies programmed while waiting for passengers.
Also, the pandemic has caused the worst crisis in the history of aviation, with several airlines going bankrupt, layoffs, or lack of liquidity. Intending to recover travelers, companies have eliminated fees and implemented new measures to be able to book airline tickets safely and flexibly. But many will remove some of these policies in the coming weeks, due to the good outlook for the summer. These are the offers and cancellation policies that are still in force by airlines:
AIR EUROPE. The company (pending approval of the merger with Iberia after being acquired by the IAG group) allows changes without penalty and cancellation with the return of 100% of the amount (less than 30 euros of fees), with its Flex rate.
BINDER CANARIAS. One of the airlines that have best weathered the crisis and the 12th best in the world according to a recent study, it allows total flexibility in changes without management costs by hiring the FlexiMás rate.
EASYJET. Until further notice, with this low-cost airline, you will not have to pay the 59-euro penalty for making changes in the last 14 days of flight departure, at least until further notice.
IBERIA. The Spanish flag airline allows with its Safe and Flexible Flight option to modify the flight date free of charge and obtain a refund if, in the last 15 days upon departure, the destination is affected by perimeter closure that cannot be avoided with negative PCR or the place of origin is similarly confined.
IBERIA EXPRESS. The subsidiary low cost of Iberia allows reimbursement of 80% of the amount as a bonus if you book any of the rates that allow it: Classic Plus, Flex, and Business.
QATAR AIRWAYS. Flights booked with the Qatari airline until April 30 can be canceled and travelers receive the full amount, as long as the flight is scheduled for 2021. The flight change fee was also eliminated.
RYANAIR. The ever-controversial Irish company opened more than 700 routes to fly up to March 2022 and eliminated the flight change fee until March 31. Thus, travelers will only pay the difference with the new ticket.
VOTE. In case of testing positive for covid-19, the Asturias-based airline returns the full amount. It also allows you to change the flight date without charge until March 31.VUELING. One of the most flexible airlines, it allows you to cancel the flight up to 48 hours before and return the amount in the form of a flight credit to use it in the next 18 months.
WIZZ AIR. The low-cost airline allows you to contract the Wizz Flex service, which eliminates the flight change fee and in case of cancellation, it returns part of the amount in the form of a credit to be used within the following 90 days.
