On routes served by more than one carrier — Heathrow to Delhi, for example, where British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Air India all operate directly — service standards, baggage allowances and typical pricing all differ meaningfully. Don't default to whichever airline appears first in a search; compare at least two before booking, particularly for a long-haul family trip.
Travel guide
Comparing airlines on the same route is worth the extra five minutes
Planning this trip?
Every route we cover has its own booking-window and peak-period guide.
More guides
How visa processing time should shape your booking date
For Pakistan, India and Saudi Arabia, visa processing — not flight pricing — is often the real constraint on how late you can book.
Read guideWhy Eid and Diwali pricing behaves differently to UK school holidays
Festival demand shifts each year against the lunar calendars — and when it overlaps a UK school holiday, expect the steepest fares of the year.
Read guideComparing direct versus Gulf-connecting fares properly
A one-stop fare via Dubai or Doha is sometimes cheaper than flying direct — but only if you compare the whole journey, not the headline price.
Read guide