Romantic poet John Keats might not have had the hit he enjoyed if he had titled his paean to Autumn Ode to Shoulder Season instead.
Perhaps we’re less prosaic now but Shoulder Season is how our marketeers and holiday providers pitch Autumn.
Terms may change but very much a fixture of the start of Autumn is the annual September Aer Lingus sale, offering 2 million seats at reduced prices on flights to Europe, Britain and North American destinations.
In keeping with the seasonal change there’s a big Fall… in prices.
Shoulder to the wheel
From today to September 16, the sale includes up to 30% off flights to some of Britain and Europe’s most iconic cities and winter sun destinations.
As well as each-way fares to North America starting from just €199 including taxes and charges. Valid for travel from October 1 to March 31.
Now seeing you’ve still got your hands up we’ll tell you then, Shoulder Season seems to be a creation of Mastercard‘s.
It’s when tourists in Europe move away from travelling in peak summer and instead opt for the quieter months outside of summer.
With travellers expecting to experience fewer crowds, easier access to popular attractions and better value.
Falling prices
Mastercard tell us that the biggest shift away from peak summer months include some of our favourites Greece, Portugal and Italy.
While we’re proof positive of Shoulder Season tourists as we’re heading to Dubrovnik next month to fulfill my Queen of Dragons dream of tracing the Walk of Shame.
While Daddy’s Little Girl is checking out Finland, another of the countries seeing a shift away, along with Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands, from peak summer months.
Aer Lingus, meanwhile, know their market well and that means Tenerife, Faro, and Lanzarote with their milder climates.
And have brought on new routes launching at the end of October, Malta, Seville and Marrakech.
Land of the Fall
Now the ultimate in marketing is how New England has laid claim to the Fall and Boston stands out as a beacon at this time of year, or any, to be fair.
While the romantics among us have a picture in our heads of Central Park in New York in the Fall.
For winter sun in North America, Los Angeles, offers a year-round mild climate, perfect for beach visits and outdoor activities.
While new route Las Vegas, starting on October 25, offers a milder climate even if it does get hot in the venues with headlining music and entertainment acts.
And then this year there is also the F1 grand prix taking place in the city in November.
Now, of course, customers flying to North America with Aer Lingus can enjoy US Customs and Border pre-clearance at Dublin and Shannon airport.