Sorry, I have to disagree with Lennythelion at #7 - booking one way transatlantic flights is the height of absurdity when the OP has made it clear that budget is a primary decider.
You might be able to find an open jaw ticket (a return flight into one city, and out of another) without a massive price increase, but if you're trying to minimise costs, then there is no chance that two one way tickets will be the cheapest way to travel from LAX.
@#10 genghis_caterpillar: Who has suggested anywhere on this thread, one way transatlantic fares are cheaper? Certainly not me, as it appears you have suggested I have. Please enlighten us. Thanks.
Incidentally, all air fares are one way nowadays. There are no returns.
lenny - I wasnt trying to put words into your mouth. Your post suggested that the OP book 2x one way tickets. I was disagreeing with that on the basis that it would be a very expensive way to travel.
Incidentally, all air fares are one way nowadays. There are no returns.
I'll mention that to our travel manager. She's had a lousy day and she enjoys a good laugh.
I'm not sure all air fares are one way these days.... but certainly if you book a flight to Australia (which I do often) it doesn't matter which airline site you look at, but the outward and inward flight are separate and you are free to mix and match exactly what suits you. The prices are set for each leg and when added together make the 'return' but it's not cheaper (like in the good old days) as those prices are fixed. If you rang the airline and asked for a return, all they do is what I've said.... sadly.
#11 lenny, I have to agree with #12, what is true for Europe is not true for the rest of the world; within Europe it is pretty much all one way fares nowadays but that is not at all true coming from North America, a round trip or an open jaw will be much much cheaper than two one ways and you did say "I would suggest booking one way and getting your return flight from somewhere else" which is not going to be the cheap way to do it.
I agree that when you make a booking online, they will offer pre-priced legs, & the final price is the combined cost of the two legs you select. But if you're booking with one of the full-service international airlines you cannot get those prices for a one way ticket for that flight on that date.
Just to confirm it for myself, I checked out BA and Qantas for LHR-SYD. All prices in GBP for an outward flight in June 1st, return on June 8th.
Qantas: One way LHR - SYD = 786. Return LHR - SYD - LHR = 584 + 458 = 1042
BA: One way LHR - SYD = 1894. Return LHR - SYD - LHR = 510 + 557 = 1066
As mentioned by poster @#6, a flight into London could be a good option,
Read my post again because I didn't say that...
caterpillar, re: fares and flights: I think you'll be disappointed in expecting your travel manager (whatever 1 of those is) to have a laugh. I have indeed suggested that the OP books 2 one ways, as it's the only way to get there and back. Any person who regularly travels, knows that one single won't get you there and back. You really are in a muddle with all this. Best just concentrate on 'Your' suggestions and not what you think others are suggesting when, in fact, they're not.
All air fares are single nowadays and have been for quite a few years. No airline does returns. Try her out with; " Hi Ms. Travel Manager, is there such a thing a return fare?" Live and learn eh?
marka55: I haven't suggested anywhere here, on any post, the words 'Cheap' or 'Cheaper'. It seems you and caterpillar are clearly misreading my posts.
Indeed getting there and back is indeed 2 journeys (foolish to think otherwise), but it'll still involve 2 single fares and not one return ticket.
End of.
#17, lenny again I have to disagree and ghengis has provided the evidence in #15. Yes these days most airline websites will provide separate prices for inbound and outbound on a return, in Europe you can even purchase just the inbound or outbound at that price but in much of the rest of the world you cannot, if you just want the inbound or the outbound part then the price increases. Many fares in North America specifically state $X each way which does not mean $X one way, it means $2X for a return.