Expect higher summer fares to Europe

So what’s up with these exorbitant summer fares to Europe?

From Washington, D.C., we’re talking $1,036 to Rome, $1,044 to Paris, $1,131 to Madrid – even historically cheaper London is $850 and up.

Not only are regular prices $100 to $200 higher than usual, but the summer sales that typically erupt by now haven’t materialized.

“It’s the classic cheap-seat-seeker dilemma,” said Hugo Burge, president of Cheapflights.com, a Web site that posts airfares. “Do you wait or do you buy?”

Here’s our game plan:

“If you absolutely need to be in Amsterdam on July 14 for your sister’s wedding, buy the ticket already. But if you have flexibility, be patient; financially strapped airlines are waiting longer to see if the planes will fill up at high prices. Don’t expect sales to be announced until 60 to 90 days before high season.

“Look at alternative destinations, departure cities and airlines. “People usually think Paris or London,” Burge said. “Look at other cities.”

Burge noted that Delta, for example, just announced new service to such cities as Barcelona, Kiev, Athens and Edinburgh, and is offering lower fares to attract travelers. Also check fares on smaller airlines, such as Aer Lingus and Icelandair, which sometimes post Web-only sales.

“Consider traveling during the “shoulder seasons” of May to early June, and post-Labor Day. A recent check on a round-trip ticket to Paris, for example, came up with a $691 fare on Icelandair May 30-June 6; for travel just two weeks later, the fare was $881.

“Even if fares come down some, accept that they will be pricier this year because of higher fuel costs. Even domestic discount carriers, such as JetBlue and Southwest, have indicated that the high cost of jet fuel will bring higher fares.

“”If you see a good deal, snag it,” said Burge. “Do not wait.”