Paris Airfare Stays Affordable Despite Olympics and Summer Travel Demand

Despite the upcoming Paris Olympic Games in July and August, airfare to the City of Light remains surprisingly affordable in summer 2024. Google Flights data reveals Paris as the second most searched destination for summer travel, trailing only London. However, the high demand has not translated intosoaring flight prices.

Tokyo jumped from No. 8 to No. 3 on Google's list of most searched destinations, indicating a surge in interest for travel to Japan. Other popular summer getaways include U.S. cities like New York, Orlando, and Las Vegas, as well as beach destinations in Mexico such as Cancún and the Yucatán Peninsula. Thrifty Traveler Premium, a flight deal alert service, has found attractive summer flight deals for all of Google's top 10 destinations, including Paris.

Despite the Olympic Games driving up demand, airfare to Paris has not increased significantly compared to previous summers. Thrifty Traveler Premium has even discovered business class availability to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport this summer, with fares as low as 50,000 Air France KLM Flying Blue miles each way. Virgin Atlantic points can also be redeemed for business class flights to the French capital.

London, the perennial top searched destination, also offers opportunities for travelers to save on airfare by leveraging points and miles, even for premium cabins. Tokyo, another increasingly popular choice, has seen roundtrip flights bookable with FlyingBlue miles for 70,000-90,000 points, representing substantial savings over economy fares. Italy remains a sought-after summer destination as well, although flying economy can be pricey.

"We keep finding flight deals to Paris this summer anyway," said Dawn Gilbertson in the Thrifty Traveler Premium newsletter. "Especially this close to summer, we were not expecting to see Paris fares drop." The availability of affordable flights to Paris, even with the Olympics on the horizon, is a welcome surprise for travelers eager to experience the city's charm during the exciting summer months.

Key Takeaways

• Paris airfare remains affordable for summer 2024 despite Olympic Games.
• Tokyo jumps to No. 3 on Google's most searched summer destinations list.
• Business class flights to Paris available for 50,000 Air France KLM miles.
• London and Tokyo offer points and miles deals for premium cabins.
• Italy remains a popular summer destination, but economy fares are pricey.