Air fare price war: autumn flights to Spain from pocket money prices

Anyone who flew this summer paid top dollar: an average of 647.81 euros per passenger for the summer holiday flight, according to Spanish daily La Razón, up another 1.8 percent on last year. But the schools are back and the planes must fill, so the airlines have flipped their prices into clearance mode. Six carriers are running autumn and winter seat sales at once this month, and several booking deadlines fall right now. These are the deals, and how to make the most of them as a Costa Blanca regular.

Six airlines, one clearance sale

The price leader is Ryanair, with one-ways from British airports to Spain from 14.99 pounds in September and October, including Stansted to Valencia and Castellón; November and December start at 19.99 pounds. easyJet runs its Big Orange Sale until 15 September with up to 20 percent off 780,000 seats, including Gatwick to Alicante for 18.99 pounds, valid for travel into mid March. Vueling offers up to 20 percent off 110,000 seats with international one-ways from 16 euros, but be quick: booking closes on 6 September. Iberia discounts European fares from 29 euros until 23 September, Air Europa from 25 euros until 13 September. And Wizz Air charges 15 to 25 euros for autumn one-ways and short returns.

Why it is this cheap right now

The recipe is the same every year, but this autumn it bites harder. After the expensive summer, demand collapses while flight schedules stay full, and empty seats earn nothing. Add fresh competition: Wizz Air opens bases in Valencia and Madrid on 2 and 3 November and will take on Ryanair across 87 Spanish routes. More supply plus less demand is the classic formula for stunt prices, and exactly that combination is now showing up in the booking systems.

What it means for Costa Blanca regulars

For visitors and second home owners this is the moment to plan the autumn trip. Alicante and Valencia appear in the sales by name: Gatwick to Alicante sits in the easyJet sale and Ryanair is discounting Valencia and Castellón. The new Wizz base in Valencia promises sharp regional fares through the winter months too. Flying from elsewhere in Europe, you benefit from the same off season effect: outside school holidays, fares to Alicante and Valencia traditionally drop hard, especially on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. And the weather? October on the Costa Blanca still means terrace weather in the low twenties.

Read the small print

The stunt prices buy the bare seat with only a small bag under the seat in front. Add a proper cabin case, seat selection or hold luggage and the price can easily double, so run that sum before you celebrate. Worth knowing: Spain now obliges booking platforms to show all surcharges upfront, so compare on the total price. And mind the deadlines: Vueling closes on 6 September already, Air Europa on 13 September, easyJet on 15 September and Iberia on 23 September. Stay flexible on dates and airports and the lowest fares are yours.

Read also: when autumn half term actually falls, how warm the sea is and which week is quietest is all in our guide to autumn half term on the Costa Blanca.

About the authorMilo Schuijt

Milo Schuijt is an entrepreneur and DJ on the Costa Blanca. He writes about the places where he lives, works and plays: from beach bars to the housing market.