Where Can I Find Historical Airfare Information?
When it comes to finding historical airfare information, it can often feel like an uphill battle. Most airline booking systems and websites are designed to cater to current and future needs, not historical data. Typically, these systems only retain information from about ten days in the past up to approximately 345 days in the future. This is largely due to the way airlines manage their records and the practicality of storage and retrieval.
Current Practices of Airline Booking Systems
Airline booking systems are primarily designed to manage flights within a specific timeframe, which is why they don't often include historical data. However, there are several methods and resources you can use to find the information you need.
What If You Need Historical Airfare Information?
There are a few avenues you can explore when looking for historical airfare information. These include:
Email Confirmations and TripIt
One of the simplest ways to find old flight information is to check your email confirmations. Most airlines send out detailed confirmation emails that include the date, time, and price of the flight. These emails can be a gold mine for historical data. Additionally, services like TripIt can aggregate all your travel information in one place, making it easier to find and compare historical fares.
Another option is to use online databases and archives. Several websites specialize in preserving and archiving information related to airlines and flights. These sites often contain detailed records that can provide historical airfare data. Some notable examples include:
FlightAware - Documenting the flight and airport operations of passengers and professionals. Numbeo - A website that collects and publishes data on the cost of living, including airfare.Historical Flight Data Organizations
There are also organizations dedicated to preserving historical aviation data. These institutions often have extensive records and can be a valuable resource for historical airfare research. Some of these organizations include:
Air Order 94 - A repository for historical aviation data and documents. The National Air and Space Museum - Part of the Smithsonian Institution, they house a vast collection of aviation-related artifacts and documents. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) - While primarily focused on the airline industry, they have historical data that can be useful for research.Conclusion
While finding historical airfare information can be challenging, there are several resources and methods available to help you gather the data you need. Whether you're researching for a school project, personal curiosity, or professional use, you can use email confirmations, TripIt, specialized websites, and historical flight data organizations to find the information you're looking for.