What is the best way to buy group airfare?

No, you're not necessarily doing anything wrong. Groups are not guaranteed the lowest fare in every case. Airlines restrict the number of seats on each flight that they will sell at the lowest fare. For example, if they have allocated ten seats and you have twenty people on the flight, then you probably won't be able to get it. Of course, you won't all get the lowest fare by buying individually, either.

And, of course, your itinerary has to qualify for the lowest fare (dates, advance purchase, minimum stay) in order to qualify.

If you have a large group, your best bet may be to find a good travel agent with experience booking groups. They'll shop around and advise you on the best way to go about it. You can also call the airlines yourself, but then you have to do all the work.

contact the airline directly and say that you are looking to book so many seats and what sort of deal they can make you. There will be restrictions everyone most likely must travel on together on the same day , on the same plane.

A friend of my Mum's used to do that for their club and they used to get a free ticket for the group so the price per ticket for the group was the total price divided by the number of people( so nobody got the free ticket).

Formerly worked in the travel industry.

The Shadow