what's happening in Sydney on 17th March?

[Mr_Gimlet]

Just gone in to book flights for Mrs_G who goes to Sydney from Melbourne for three day blocks at Uni.

Looking at Monday 17th March, the fares are pretty high (even the Sparrows JQ which she often gets is 119, normally 59) and there is no FF availability until late afternoon. Even SUnday is pretty pricey and afternoon availability is severely limited.

Is something happening in Sydney on these dates?

 

[simongr]

There is of course St Patricks Day - but that would be a reason to ground people. Although it is the week before Easter it is not school holidays that week.

 

[NM]

Easter is 21-24 March this year, so your date is the week prior to Easter so that mau have an effect.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Easter is 21-24 March this year, so your date is the week prior to Easter so that may have an effect.

I did consider that, but coming back on the Wednesday seems to be no problem at all.

 

[serfty]

Monday mornings are generally tough for cheaper flights, however you indicate it's worse than usual.

Maybe some sporting event in Melbourne the day before?

 

[Standby]

Monday mornings are generally tough for cheaper flights, however you indicate it's worse than usual.

Maybe some sporting event in Melbourne the day before?

Yep...when MEL first got the GP it co-incided with the Moomba holiday so there was no competition between GP fans and Roadwarriors..now itdoesnt since the move to later in MAR and that makes all of Monday a very pricey trip

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Yep...when MEL first got the GP it co-incided with the Moomba holiday so there was no competition between GP fans and Roadwarriors..now itdoesnt since the move to later in MAR and that makes all of Monday a very pricey trip

Yeah, I was still thinking it was first weekend in March - never occurred to me it was to do with something on in Melbourne until serfty pointed it out

 

[serfty]

Yeah, I was still thinking it was first weekend in March - never occurred to me it was to do with something on in Melbourne until serfty pointed it out

FrequentFlyers tend to keep an Eye on these things as there's often backfill specials available (e.g. MEL-SYD Sunday morning) and a few 747's around.

 

[simongr]

Just not sure why SYD-MEL after the Grand Prix would be affected. There should be in theory more availability created as aircraft are shipped down there to take people away?

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Just not sure why SYD-MEL after the Grand Prix would be affected. There should be in theory more availability created as aircraft are shipped down there to take people away?

It's Mel-Syd that's the problem.

 

[simongr]

Sorry about that - I have re-read that several times and my brain keeps seeing SYD-MEL... I blame the mind numbing work I am trying to avoid...