Had another look today.Charters still taking the p***.Looks like the schedule airlines will be taking up the slack.You just have to ask.Are the main tour operators not even seeing this change in the market?

After all the Goa market is pretty niche compared to their main business.I would love to just understand where they are coming from as a business model.

They are not stupid,they have been doing this for years so surely they are aware that in an ever changing customer environment and with the access we all now have to the huge power of the internet it just gives us Goa veterans so much choice.

The question still remains,why are their prices still ridiculously high?

Papa

Papa, the bottom line is most airlines are loosing a fortune. The charter companies have taken a decision to reduce the number of holidays and flights they sell and aim to make a profit on them rather than putting bums on seats at a loss.
For travellers to Goa this winter, the arrival of Qatar has been a bonus as they have tried to win passengers by offering low prices to establish their route. I notice though that their prices have risen quite steeply already. Our flights for Nov/Dec have already increased from £729 to £1050 in only a week or so. Still cheaper than the charters but starting to catch up and you do have to change flights.
This time next year it might be back to booking package tours as the most economical option.Who knows by then which airlines will still be either flying the route or still in operation. There are other benefits to having a package too however the biggest negative is a lack of flexibility in my book.

Co-incidentally to my comments above, today I see Ryanair are cutting back flights from Stanstead as a result of increased charges etc etc. There appears to be one thing that's certain and that's that you can't rely on anything !!!!!
More the reason to do whatever today ( or this year) rather than put off until tommorrow ( or next year) because it might not still be available.

Co-incidentally to my comments above, today I see Ryanair are cutting back flights from Stanstead as a result of increased charges etc etc. There appears to be one thing that's certain and that's that you can't rely on anything !!!!!
More the reason to do whatever today ( or this year) rather than put off until tommorrow ( or next year) because it might not still be available.

Ryanair cuts flights back every winter as do all airlines.O'Leary as usual is banging on in his own inimitable style about passenger duty and airport charges.Agree with him about the disgraceful level of air passenger duty and all the other associated taxes we tourists pay.However this particular gentleman never misses an oppurtunity to mis-inform.

You would have to drag me kicking and screaming to ever get me near a Ryanair flight.

Papa

Never been on one but from what I have heard

You would have to drag me kicking and screaming to ever get me near a Ryanair flight.

me too Papa !!!

You have to sympathise ( maybe) with someone has bought an holiday apartment because they can get to it easily by plane, then this kind of thing changes everything overnight.

After watching the way Ryanair treats their customers and in particular how it is now impossible to book one of their flights without incurring ridiculous extra charges I decided never ever to fly them.Only one sanction we customers have and that is to vote with our feet.

The charming manner in which their CEO conducts himself is really just the icing on the cake.

Papa

going a bit offtopic now- Ryan air best discussed on the flights forum

You're right Fiona my fault sorry.

Me too Fiona.

Papa

Just had another look at Manchester to Goa with Qatar.For our dates now showing £700 per person.Doh...should have booked them last week.

Papa

As the charters cut back the scheduled flights prices will go up . I am amazed that they are up to £700 already though.
They may well kick off next season on much higher prices than they did this year especially if the charters decide it's not worth their while to fly this route too often. I guess we will then have to wait for new competition before bargains are to be had again.
I'm only too pleased we grabbed two sets of bargain prices while we could. Next year we have already planned to look for new destinations for our hols !

Ive booked for march next year. The lower priced flights did have some really crappy stopover times Ive paid a bit more but im happy with the price i paid and the flights. leaving 3rd march and returning 25th.

Dept Man 08.20 arrive doha 18.20
Dept Doha 21.30 arrive goa 03.35

coming home
dept goa 04.35
arrive doha 06.15

dept doha 07.30
arrive man 12.30

Ive booked for march next year. The lower priced flights did have some really crappy stopover times Ive paid a bit more but im happy with the price i paid and the flights.

Dept Man 08.20 arrive doha 18.20
Dept Doha 21.30 arrive goa 03.35

coming home
dept goa 04.35
arrive doha 06.15

dept doha 07.30
arrive man 12.30

They were the times we looked at.£500 last week £670-700 today.I will wait I think.

Papa

Papa, have you checked the different days of the week as it's much cheaper ( or was) on some rather than others.
Good luck. Dave

Just checked out our flights and they are now £612 but if we booked a day earlier returning on the same date as planned they are still only £524. If you can be flexible and move by a few days it's a big saving.

Good advice Dave thats what i did it meant changing a few days about but to be honest my flights are good so im happy.

Try looking to travel wed Papa that was cheapest for me.

Wednesday travel not possible for us.

Papa

Papa

At the prices qatar are quoting it would be easier and cheaper to fly charter with Thomas Cook.

I've just checked their flight costs for March and to fly direct from Manchester to Goa they are quoting a price of £470 to fly out on Sunday 7th March and return on Monday 15th March, and of course, that is a direct flight with no stop overs I don't know whether the Monday return is a problem for you but certainly at a cursory glimpse all the March costs look around that price.

I'm told that Thomas Cook seat pitch is the same as Thomsons (not as good as schedule maybe) but still ample I feel and I'm 5' 9".

I guess its all down to the dates you can fly . I think ive got a good deal with qatar for a 22 day holiday and a decent quality flight with nice food and comfort. There were so many options of different airlines that i nearly went grey

You have to way up whats the most important thing for you my mind was made up as jet airways flight times wernt great for the dates i wanted. also shlep down to heathrow.

Same with kingfisher and also the question of if they will still be solvent after xmas? it would just be my luck to have booked with them and for them to go pop.

I think the price i paid to qatar would still be cheaper than paying for a premium ug with a charter airline. However Doah and the transfer may not be much fun so i guess that could be the downside . Anyway however we get there i hope we all have a great holiday