What is going on with the Air Travel companies?

I have just booked our flights for next July. Now I know we are going at a nice convenient time from my local airport using Flybe so I was expecting a bit of a price. This turned out to be just under £250 each for 4 adults - 2 large cases weighing 23Kilo each, 4 cabin bags up to 10Kilo each and pre-selected seats.

I checked with both Monarch and Easyjet from Gatwick for the same dates, similar times and similar luggage - both were around £1300 for the 4 of us, plus I would need to drive to Gatwick plus I would need to park for 2 weeks. Ryanair was obviously cheaper unless I took the bags - but ridiculous flight times and it's Ryanair - so not an option.

It seems to me Easyjet and Monarch are very complacent and don't expect people to shop around, or they are not bothered about having empty planes?

Anyone else finding this - or have Flybe made a pricing faux-pas?

I imagine that EJ and Mnarch expect to fill up from Gatwick Rich. I booked flights last Wednesday on the day EJ opened up flights after mid June - I was quoted a price for one way tickets in mid June of 523 euros for 5 reserved seats plus luggage but by the time I completed my booking details the price had jumped to 623 euros. in all previous years I have never known a price to change while I was completing the details so I can only assume that EJ have changed their systems to reflect the strong demand. With less flights scheduled these 2 main airlines on the Gatwick to Faro route can and do ask what they want !!
A relative of mine who lives in North Kent and travels to Faro frequently know regularly opts to fly from Bournemouth instead of Gatwick due to the cheaper prices

Customer care top of the list then cereza - just checked - Flybe gone up £100 overnight after my booking - sorry guys

Bristol to London by First Class rail is £307.00 return with as much luggage as you can carry but no guarantee of a seat !

Makes air travel look very cheap indeed. We came by car this year via Spain & it was a pleasure to avoid the airports, luggage restrictions, security checks, hire car collection / return. If spending 3 weeks or more I think travel by ferry & car is a great option.

widge wrote:Bristol to London by First Class rail is £307.00 return with as much luggage as you can carry but no guarantee of a seat !

Makes air travel look very cheap indeed. We came by car this year via Spain & it was a pleasure to avoid the airports, luggage restrictions, security checks, hire car collection / return. If spending 3 weeks or more I think travel by ferry & car is a great option.

First Class - bleeding hell widge - you must be seriously rich

The EJ site has been down most of the day, can,t book flights, print off boarding passes etc etc.
Hope they do not do a Ryan Air and charge those unable to check in on line ??