Are you looking for a last-minute flight deal out of Vancouver during spring break?
While pickings are slimmer than they were in previous weeks, locals can still nab some sweet deals from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to cities across the United States and Canada over the holiday - but they may have to book toward the end of it.
Most Metro Vancouver students will attend their last day in class on Friday, March 15 and are due back on Tuesday, April 2; the official break is considered from March 18 to 28; Good Friday (March 29) is a holiday. Easter Monday, April 1, is also a school holiday.
Have a look at the last-minute flight deals available from YVR over spring break.
Los Angeles
If you're looking to head south of the border for your vacation, the City of Angels is still one of the cheapest options. But you'd be hard-pressed to find travel dates in the first week of spring break that cost more than double the regular price.
Travellers who want to pay close to average costs should wait until the final week or the last weekend of spring break to travel. If you don't mind travelling over Easter weekend - and possibly having your kid(s) miss a day or two of school - you can score tickets at or even slightly below average prices.
For example, a flight that departs YVR on Saturday, March 30, and returns from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Tuesday, April 2 costs $369. The first flight is direct and the second includes one stop in Denver for an hour.
To book the deal, tickets must be booked separately. The first one needs to be booked with Flair Airlines and the second must be booked through Air Canada (see slide two).
To score a lower price, select the same outbound flight but return the following day on Wednesday, April 3. The price works out to $80 less, or $289.
Portland
Flights to Portland won't cost less over spring break than they will during any other time of year but they won't cost more than average fares if your trip takes place in the final week of the school holiday.
Not unlike L.A. flights, prices for Portland trips have already spiked over the first week of spring break. Instead, search for options departing in the second week or that return over the Easter long weekend.
For example, a flight that departs YVR on Thursday, March 28, and returns from Portland International Airport (PDX) on Monday, April 1 costs $339. Both of the flights are direct and children would not need to miss any school because the flight returns on the Easter Monday holiday (see slide three).
Las Vegas
Hoping to score an ultra-cheap flight to a fun U.S. city in the first week of spring break?
There is only one option, but it is considered one of the top destinations in the country. While trips to the City of Sin are popular for bachelorette and bachelor parties, they are also great choices for families. There are several resorts with kid-friendly pools and many shows are great for people of all ages to enjoy.
A flight that departs from YVR on Monday, March 18, and returns from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) on Thursday, March 21 costs $354. The flight includes one stop in Phoenix on the way to Las Vegas; one of those flights is with Flair Airlines and the other is Frontier. The return flight is nonstop with WestJet (see slide four).
To score the low-cost option, book the separate tickets together through third-party supplier Kiwi.com. You can find the price by using Google Flights' price calendar and then navigating off the page to book the deal.
New York
While it involves a couple of days worth of missed school, you can score tickets to the Big Apple that are hundreds of dollars less than typical prices.
A flight that departs YVR on Friday, March 29, and returns from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Wednesday, April 3 costs $364. The outbound flight has a short stop in Toronto and the return one has a longer one in Denver (see slide five).
These prices are about $420 cheaper than usual, according to Google Flights.
Calgary
Cowtown might not be the first place that you think of when you think of the spring break holiday but Alberta's largest city offers plenty of things to do for families, couples, groups of friends, and solo travellers alike. The destination is also situated near some of Canada's most mesmerizing outdoor destinations, including the Rocky Mountains.
A flight that departs YVR on Monday, March 25 and returns on Saturday, March 30 costs $227; both of the flights are direct but need to be booked separately with Flair Airlines and Air Canada, respectively (see slide six).
While these prices are typical for this route, they aren't higher than costs at other times of year and the deal is one of the most affordable for people flying from YVR.
