Hopper Editors - Thu Oct 26 2017
If you find yourself yearning for a dose of Vegas-style hedonism this year — pining for the bright lights of the city’s mega clubs, eager for the rush of the game and the thrill of the casinos — then why not consider hopping on one of the many flight connections from Albuquerque’s Sunport, across the Arizona deserts, to Sin City’s McCarran International?
Using more than half-a-million pieces of data sourced from searches for air connections between the two cities in the last four weeks alone, the Hopper expert flight team has put together this list of 10 tips for finding the cheapest flights from Albuquerque to Las Vegas — helping you stash away a little extra cash for the gambling and the games!
Okay, so you’ve sealed the suitcase and done your holiday homework on the best clubs, casinos and cocktail bars lining the Las Vegas strip, all that’s left is to do now is bag that bargain flight connection into town and you’ll be on your way, right? Well, not really, because Hopper have discovered that last minute bargains to Sin City from ABQ don’t really exist—with prices ebbing to a low 21 days or more before departure and swelling more than $145 after that!
Our statistics have shown that as demand on the route from Albuquerque to Las Vegas rises throughout the week, prices too find their peak on Friday. That means that departures on Monday and Tuesday are the cheapest overall, with passengers booking to leave on those days saving on average around $49 on the price of their ticket. That’s an extra couple of spins on the Wheel of Fortune for sure!
We’ve discovered that Tuesday is also the cheapest day for passengers to return home to Albuquerque from Vegas, offering a pretty hefty saving of up to $86 on some flights. When coupled with reductions on Tuesday arrivals, this means that passengers staying a week in town could save up to a whopping $135 on their flights, while also enjoying the full hedonism of the legendary Sin City weekend. That said, Wednesday, Thursday, and even Friday departures aren’t too expensive either, so shorter midweek breaks are also definitely a possibility!
Not only is Wednesday the cheapest day to purchase tickets from ABQ to LAS—offering a possible price reduction on round trip flights to the tune of $ it is also apparently the most popular, attracting more than 1,800 searches daily! Tuesdays are also a cheap option, with average roundtrip ticket prices of just $214. The most expensive time to purchase tickets is on the weekend, which is also when we’ve discovered the least amount people will be searching for flights between the two cities.
With American Airlines coming in as the cheapest carrier offering connections between Albuquerque and Las Vegas, it may be a little surprising that they only currently command just under 18% of the market share on the route. The most popular airline flying between the two cities is actually US Airways, who we’ve discovered were actually the dearest carrier running flights in the last four weeks—coming in $17 more expensive than American, at an average of $230.
Airlines offering connecting flights from Albuquerque to Las Vegas:- American Airlines makes the journey in 6 hours via LAX for $213 round trip, on average.- United Airlines makes the journey in 5 hours via Denver International Airlines for $221 round trip, on average.- US Airlines makes the journey in 6 hours via Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for $230 round trip, on average.
Connections between any two cities in the contiguous United States are actually among the cheapest on all of American Airlines’ line-up of rewards for members of their frequent flier program, which means that prospective passengers from Albuquerque to Las Vegas this year will only have to dish out around 25,000 air miles to hit the runways of McCarran International and get back again. Business and first class travelers can expect to pay a minimum of 50,000 for the luxury.
For the full breakdown of all the facts relating to this cross-desert hop, be sure to take a look at our When to Fly and Buy Reports page, where you’ll not only be able to check out detailed findings like the cheapest days to book your tickets, monthly price trends and the best airlines on the route, but perhaps also get some much-needed statistics training for the poker tables and blackjack that awaits!
If you’re clutching for every dime you can to bolster your bankroll for the tables of the Bellagio or MGM Grand, then be sure to head over to Hopper’s Airline Fees Calculator before you consider buying your flight this year. It offers a comprehensive look at all additional charges and costs associated with booking with particular airlines, showing passengers the true price of their ticket, including things like extra baggage, increased leg room and in-flight meals. Nice.
With our statistics showing that more 50% of people flying between ABQ and Las Vegas this year will be paying upwards of $350 for their seat, we think it’s a good idea for prospective passengers looking for bargains on the route to settle for anything below or around $213. Granted some people manage to secure tickets for around just $200, but these are only the luckiest of travelers—and you don’t want your luck to run out before you hit the tables, surely?