International flights represent the biggest single expense for many trips. A $1,200 flight to Europe or $1,500 to Asia can feel like an insurmountable barrier. But with the right strategies, long-haul travel becomes much more accessible.
Creative Routing: The Long Way Can Be Cheaper
Direct flights are convenient but often expensive. Consider alternative routing:
- Connecting through hubs: Flying through Istanbul, Dublin, or Reykjavik can be significantly cheaper than direct flights
- Open-jaw itineraries: Fly into one city, out of another. Sometimes this is cheaper than round-trip to a single destination
- Hidden city ticketing: Risky and against airline rules, but some travelers book connecting flights and skip the final leg when it's cheaper
Stopover Programs: Free Destinations
Several airlines offer free or cheap stopovers on connecting itineraries:
- Icelandair: Free stopover in Iceland on transatlantic routes
- TAP Portugal: Stopover in Lisbon or Porto
- Turkish Airlines: Free Istanbul stopover with TourIstanbul program
- Singapore Airlines: Singapore stopover options
- Emirates: Dubai stopover packages
These turn a simple connection into a bonus destination at little or no additional cost.
Regional Carriers for the Final Leg
Sometimes the best strategy is flying to a major hub, then using a regional budget carrier for the final leg:
- Fly to London, then Ryanair/EasyJet within Europe
- Fly to Bangkok, then AirAsia throughout Southeast Asia
- Fly to Lima, then LATAM or Avianca within South America
This requires separate bookings and careful timing, but can save substantially on multi-stop itineraries.
Shoulder Season and Timing
Long-haul pricing is highly seasonal. Peak season (summer to Europe, winter to Southern Hemisphere) can cost double shoulder season rates. Consider:
- Europe: Late April-May and September-October offer good weather and lower prices
- Southeast Asia: Shoulder months around monsoon seasons
- South America: March-May or September-November
Book in Advance (But Not Too Far)
For international flights, the sweet spot is typically 2-8 months before departure. Book too early and airlines haven't released competitive fares. Book too late and cheap fare classes are sold out.
Exception: Peak holiday periods. Christmas, New Year's, and major holiday travel should be booked 4-6 months ahead.
Use Points Strategically
Long-haul flights offer the best value for credit card points:
- Economy redemptions on partners can be excellent value
- Points are worth more on expensive routes
- Transfer partners (Chase, Amex) provide flexibility
Even if you don't fly business class, points can turn a $1,200 flight into a $50 taxes-and-fees booking.
Consider Alternative Gateways
Flying from a different US gateway can save hundreds:
- NYC area has the most European competition
- Miami is often cheapest to South America
- LA and SFO compete heavily to Asia
Factor in positioning flight costs, but the savings can be substantial.
Norwegian, Icelandair, and Budget Long-Haul
Budget long-haul carriers have made transatlantic travel more accessible. While basic fares seem cheap, calculate true costs:
- Bag fees on long flights add up
- Seat selection on 8+ hour flights matters
- Food purchases during long flights are expensive
Sometimes full-service carriers on sale beat budget carriers once you add necessities.
The Multi-Stop Mindset
Instead of "I need to get to Thailand," think "I need to get to Asia." Flights to Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Hong Kong might vary significantly. From any of these hubs, cheap regional carriers take you anywhere in the region for under $100.
This flexibility lets you book whichever hub has the best deal, not the most direct route.