airfarewatchdog

Common wisdom has it that this is the year of the mega flight deal. All the factors are in place: Fuel prices are holding, demand for seats has slumped and airlines are in dire financial need. Logic dictates that cheap flights should be raining down upon us like a spring shower.

Certainly, there are deals to be had. Except, that is, for the destination you had in mind. The last time you visited your favourite travel Web site, you may have found prices to be pretty standard and decided to bide your time until those fabled last-minute deals arrive.

You're not alone. "We're seeing a lot of inquiries, a lot of people waiting for the big deal ... But, we have less inventory than we had last year, less flights, less seats, less and less of these last-minute opportunities, unless you're incredibly flexible," says Allison Wallace, spokeswoman for Flight Centre, the travel agency chain.