Booking flight to Ireland (Shannon)

It is NOT cheaper the earlier you book. Ideal timeline for international flights are generally 3-4 months in advance.

You can use kayak.com to set up a price alert from various NY area airports.

Southwest is the only airline I'm aware of that will allow you to cancel and rebook without $$ penalty if the price drops. Some sites like Orbitz will - but I prefer to book directly though the airline.

earlier is DEFINITELY cheaper.  i usually travel to germany (for work, i would never do this with my own money) booking in less than 2 weeks and have to pay ~$900, where booking further in advance brings that ticket down to about half that price.

for some reason, WEDNESDAY is the cheapest day to purchase tickets as well as to travel.  if you can plan your travel on mid-weekdays they tend to be much cheaper (leave on wed, return on tuesday, for example.  a saturday stayover has saved me ~$2000 on trips to Germany)

Man, I haven't bought a ticket to Europe for even 900 in a while, let alone $450!  Be grateful for that!

On a side note be sure to check Aer Lingus.  They have some great specials going into Shannon and Dublin.  It's VERY easy to get across the country on a train in a matter of a few hours.

Also ask about upgrade specials.  I got upgraded to 1st Class for $100 on one of my trips over there.

Enjoy your trip.  Ireland is wonderful.

I tend to buy early because I want a certain time, connection, etc.   The only cheap European flights I see are rather last minute (3 weeks or so), which is too late for me because I am booking tours, hotels, etc.

Here's a site that tracks prices AND checks fares for airline refunds. I have never used it, but I understand you can get refunds if the price goes down in certain cases:  http://www.yapta.com/

agreed.  tuesday nights is often when airlines have their specials start.  depending on how many tickets they offer at that price, and how fast they go, will determine how long the price will be good for.  i also think the 3-4mth range is good timing for international flighs.  i found all this out the hard way when flying from houston to cape town, SA this summer.  i looked at flights on a tuesday night on united's website and they were 1,400.  i got nervous and wanted to wait till the lodging and other stuff was confirmed before booking the flight and the very next day the prices were 1,900.  so my hesitation for <24hrs cost me a grand for the wife and i (the wife still wants to kick my arse for that!). 

i also found out that you have a 30day window from the day you book your flight to get any money back if the ticket price drops suddenly.  but it has to be within 30 days....if not, no soup for you.

wow, good info. Wife and I have been to Ireland numerous times (both parents from Clare) , but kids have never been.  Last two times I was there I was going to London on biz so I don't even know what we paid which is why I'm rusty.  We'll rent a car, visiting cousins from Donegal all the way down and around to Cork and maybe Waterford if time allows.  Probably skip Dublin this time around. I'll check those sites..thanks

I'm responding not necessarily on when...but I think there might be a little clarification on how early is early. I have found experience with booking flights from Seattle to Chicago is that a month out is when the prices seem to go up. (Some people may consider a month early or late...dunno!) 

2nd Aer Lingus, they fly into Shannon I believe. (Plus I giggle at the name...  

I'm not sure whether you've been to Ireland. But one thing I would second is that you fly into Dublin and take another form of transportation from there. It is surprising how small Ireland is. Looking at the map, I think I actually flew from Dublin to Shannon. We were going to Limerick first, but then we rented a car and drove to Dublin. I think it was about a 4 hour drive. (But not sure how comfortable you are driving...and we definitely got the upgrade to an automatic!)

Have fun! I LOVED Ireland it was amazing!!