Flights to the "Big Apple" from Vancouver will see a significant drop in prices later this summer, hitting their lowest point heading into the fall.
But the popular route has already seen a dramatic shift in prices over the past couple of years, as well as the addition of a direct, return service to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) from Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
It isn't uncommon for travellers to snag a deal to New York for under $600 return, which had been considered a steal in recent years.
JetBlue, a New York-based, low-cost carrier, is the only airline that offers direct, return service to JFK from YVR, but a couple of airlines offer bargain options to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Queens.
Prices start to drop starting in late summer, with Google Flights showing return trips for $177 less starting on Aug. 22. Until then, however, one-way options start quite low, meaning that travellers can snag cheaper deals by purchasing a pair of separate tickets instead of booking both flights on one.
One-way tickets throughout the summer and heading into the fall season start for as little as $248 with Air Canada, although the cheapest ones may involve a stopover. That said, direct options don't cost much more, starting at $268.
Cheap round-trip Vancouver flights to New York
Round-trip flights start for under $450 starting at the mid-way mark of September and continuing into the fall.
For example, a flight that departs Vancouver on Oct. 3 and returns on Oct. 14 costs $447.25 including all tax fees. There is one stop on the outbound journey in Toronto, while the return one has two: one in Toronto and one in Winnipeg.
JetBlue offers a round-trip option to JFK with direct flights for US$406.71, which works out to about C$538.71 based on the current exchange rate.
JetBlue operates flights between YVR and JFK daily; the flight departing from Vancouver is a red-eye option while the New York departure is in the evening.
The airline has five different fare classes, as well as two memberships. For members, the rules for each fare class will change, allowing for more flexibility and inclusions than other guests. The fare classes are Blue Basic, Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra, and Mint.
How to find deals on hotel stays in NYC
Prices range dramatically across New York, with some properties costing upwards of $1,000 nightly. That said, there are affordable options, even in Manhattan near Times Square. For example, the three-star New Yorker Hotel costs $162 for two guests on July 10, while the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York Times Square West, which is a four-star accommodation, starts at $214.
Use Google's "hotels" map to find a place in an area you'd like to check out but ensure you take a nod from the reviews.
