Cheap flights to Asia: When to buy and fly

By Rick Seaney, USA TODAY
July 5, 2011

Considering a "bucket list" trip to Asia in the near future?

You're not alone; according to Hitwise, which monitors internet traffic, the past year has seen a notable increase in interest on the part of U.S. travelers for flight-related information to the three most popular destination-countries in Asia.

Take a look at the chart below; nearly three-quarters of all trans-Pacific fliers from the U.S. are destined for or will transit through one of the big three countries: Japan (39%), South Korea (16%) or China (14%).

The newly minted super-sized United Airlines, now merged with Continental, has the most weekly cheap flights into Asia, closely followed by Delta, which inherited its own strong Asian presence via its merger with Northwest Airlines.

When should I start shopping for flights to Asia?

Airlines usually release their cheapest seats for international flights much earlier than domestic flights, about 5 months before departure. Tickets can be purchased up to eleven months before your trip begins, but if you buy too early, chances are, you'll pay too much.

Airfare sales on flights to Asia tend to be spottier than sales on domestic routes, and when you do find these international sales, they are not always matched by the competition. This means it is important to start shopping early in the game to maximize your chance to catch a sale; and by shopping, I mean examining prices to/from different destinations and departure cities on a regular basis — and keeping an eye out for sales. You should also sign up for e-mail fare alerts for your selected route or routes and be prepared to act immediately if you see a big price drop.

Is there a cheapest day to fly to Asia?

Airfare to Asia typically has a $25 to $30 discount in either direction for departures on Monday through Thursday. Cheaper and more expensive days to fly can vary by airline, though; for example, U.S. airlines consider Friday through Sunday to be a premium departure window while carriers like Korean Air do not consider Sunday a premium day. Overall, Monday through Wednesday departures tend to have the most "cheap seat" inventory.

What price should I expect to pay?

U.S. travelers will be hard pressed to find flights to Asia for under $1000 round-trip, with the best prices generally on West Coast departures. If you are lucky enough to be in a city that has nonstop flights to Asia, these tend to garner a $150 to $200 premium over connecting flights.

Is there a cheapest time of year to fly to Asia?

Asian flights generally don't have the prominent seasonal price drops that you see on flights to Europe. This is mainly due to the scarcity of such flights, plus with Asian routes the passenger focus is on business travelers whose travel is not dictated by weather and season.

That said, prices do tend to be a few hundred dollars cheaper for travel in the fall (September through November), then rise again dramatically for December and January departures, before dropping slightly for spring and summer.

If I stay longer than a month, will it cost more?

Unlike European air travel which typically charges you more for stays longer than 30 days, most Asian airfare has a two to three month "maximum stay" requirement allowing you to stay longer at cheaper price points.

Any ideas on making a long flight to Asia more comfortable?

You will be in the air for quite a stretch; fliers typically have connections on flights to Asia which can make for nearly a day-long ordeal — from 11 to 20 hours or more.

I like to spend the night on the West Coast before my trans-Pacific flight so I'm well rested for the long journey. Most of the flights heading to Asia from Los Angeles or San Francisco leave around lunch time, and arrive the next afternoon. Often I combine two purchases — a domestic coach ticket from my city to LAX or SFO — plus one of the many and cheaper business class deals from these California cities to Asia, so I get plenty of leg room for the trip.

Are visas required for trips to Asia?

The most popular countries for U.S. travelers don't require a visa, with the notable exception of China; the visa will cost you $140 per person and you must have six months remaining on your passport before expiration.

Before traveling to Asia (or to any international destination), be sure to check the international travel section of the U.S. State Department's website for up-to-date information on entry requirements, safety issues and other useful information.

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