Are flights to DXB in October really sold out?

[Nottingham Nick]

It is years since we have been to Dubai, but I was messing around looking for a trip away at the back end of October.

I am amazed that for five consecutive days around 23rd Oct the outbound planes seem to be sold out in PE and only have very limited availability in Y and UC.

Is this usual for DXB flights to sell out so far in advance, or is there something special about October that I am not aware of?

Nick

Half term?

[Nottingham Nick]

Good point. I don't know, but even so I would have thought the weekend flights would be busy, but not the rest of the week - I will do some more research for the rest of the month.

Nick

Is it not Eid ? I know the middle east gets very busy around that period with families booking flights "home" months in advance for the celebrations.

[Nottingham Nick]

Isn't EID the end of Ramadan? I am not too well up on Muslim festivals, but did check that Ramadan finishes about 10th Sept.
I have checked a bit more and there is loads of availability earlier in the month, so the half term theory may be the answer.

I just need another 6TP trip before the end of October and am exploring various possibilities.

Thanks for the suggestions. y) y)

Nick

[Neil]

I wonder if it is a glitch, I just had a look at the dates around the 23rd on the load check page on here and whilst the 23rd looks busy, every other day looks to have good availability?

Neil

Not sure Nick - I am not either but when I worked out in UAE there was always an international film festival in October in Abu Dhabi- can't find it on the web but found this:

http://www.dubai.world-guides.com/dubai_events.html

[Nottingham Nick]

Thanks.

It is possibly a combination of all factors, but am hoping that Neil's glitch suggestion is the one that wins out.

Nick

It also seems to be that on this route especially with a return day time flight and no revival on landing that its deemed not quite worth in it in UC, as the 3 times i have been PE is full and UC half empty for the return, which could have a bearing on the bucket on the return making it very expensive.

cheers

alex

It also seems to be that on this route especially with a return day time flight and no revival on landing that its deemed not quite worth in it in UC, as the 3 times i have been PE is full and UC half empty for the return, which could have a bearing on the bucket on the return making it very expensive.

cheers

alex

Everytime I'm on a Dubai, it's full each way!

[Darren Wheeler]

but that's your Fan Club.

I admit to only flying BA on this route as the timinngs are much better - again their flights have always been full to capacity in J and F (infact was downgraded from F to J on a recent DXB to LHR)

There could be a few reasons why. Firstly, the Abu Dhabi F1 GP in November. Many people book a two centre stay Abu Dhabi/Dubai, or just Dubai and travel each day to AD as it only takes about 1hour 20 mins to the Yas Marina Circuit. I went last year. I booked flights early in the year at a good price but by the middle of the year very few flights left. We drove to AD but stayed there for the GP.
The other reason is as Slinky suggested, half term. I was surprised just how many English families were staying in our hotel around the 23rd Oct last year.
Also, at the end of Oct, the hotels put their prices up considerably as it is the start of the high season (it's a bit cooler than May/June/July/August). Therefore a lot of people try to book in a week or so before the end of Oct.

But then again it could just be that Dubai is very popular at that time of the year!

Anna

Nick - we have 2 Eid's celebrations. The first is after Ramadam whilst the second (longer) celebration will be around 17 November depending upon the moon.

I have now been on around 8 PE Dubai flights, every time it is full - need to book very early. My advice is to keep checking as seats do become available (I kept a check on December and got a flight I wanted).

Good luck and look us up.

Jeremy

[Nottingham Nick]

Thanks for the info Jeremy - it is always good to learn. y)

I will be sure to drop you a line, as and when we book - our only previous trip was in August 2003. My understanding from this forum, and elsewhere, is that the place has changed a little since then. :w

Nick