Why You Should Never Skip best time to book flights

Booking plane tickets is like a dance, but knowing the best time to book can save you money and avoid mistakes. For domestic flights, the best time is 28 days before departure¹. For international flights, wait 60 days¹. Airlines open booking a year ahead, and prices can jump a lot before the flight.

Don’t book just a few weeks before flying, or you’ll pay too much. Experts say to book early, especially for summer and holidays, to dodge price hikes¹. Not planning ahead can cost you a lot on best time to book flights, cheap flight tickets, and airfare discounts.

Key Takeaways

The sweet spot for booking domestic flights is 28 days in advance, while for international flights, it’s 60 days.
Booking 28 days before a domestic flight can save travelers up to 24% compared to last-minute booking.
Airfare pricing for domestic flights is highest when tickets are first released and gradually decreases to the lowest point during the prime booking window.
For international travel, booking ideally no more than four months before the departure date is recommended, with the sweet spot being around 60 days in advance.
The cheapest day of the week to book flights is Sunday, while the most expensive is Friday, for both domestic and international travel.

Understanding the Booking Window for Domestic Flights

Industry Trends and Expert Recommendations

Booking domestic flights at the right time can save you money. The time you book affects the fare you pay². The best time to book is between 21 and 74 days before your flight for the lowest prices.

Booking 75 to 205 days before can cost about 14% more. Waiting until 206 to 315 days before can make tickets 36% pricier².

As your flight gets closer, prices go up fast. Booking 14 to 20 days before can cost 8% more. Booking 0 to 6 days before can increase the price by 56%².

Travel experts say the day you book can affect the price³. Mondays and Fridays are usually more expensive than Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays³. The cheapest days to fly are usually Wednesdays and Tuesdays, while Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive².

Season also matters for booking flights³. For fall travel, book about 55 days in advance. For winter flights, book around 42 days before the holidays³. For spring and summer, book 44 and 35 days before to get the best deals³.

Knowing these trends helps travelers save money and have a smoother trip²⁴³.

“Booking during the prime booking window, between 21 and 74 days before your domestic flight, can save you up to 24% compared to last-minute bookings.” – Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks report²

Strategies for Booking International Flights

Booking international flights at the right time can save you money. Expedia’s 2023 study found that booking 60 days before your trip can cut costs by 10%⁵. Also, booking on Sunday can save up to 13% compared to booking on Friday⁵.

Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) advises booking flights between two and eight months early for the best deals⁶. They suggest starting with tools like Google Flights to find affordable flights⁶.

Being flexible with your travel dates can also help. Airlines start releasing seats five months before your trip, with some up to 11 months ahead⁶. Booking early and being open to different dates can help you find cheaper flights⁶.

Using travel credit cards with transferable currencies can save you money on flights⁶. Services like price tracking can also alert you to price drops⁵⁶.

To get the best deals, be flexible, book early, and use available tools⁵⁶⁷.

Maximizing Savings with best time to book flights

Tips from Travel Experts

Booking flights at the right time can save you a lot of money. Christie Hudson from Expedia says booking 28 days early can cut costs by up to 24 percent for domestic flights⁸. Katy Nastro from Going suggests booking international flights early, three to seven months ahead for domestic and four to 10 months for international trips, to get the best deals⁹.

Experts also say booking the first flight of the day can be cheaper and less likely to be delayed or canceled⁹. It’s also smart to use a credit card with travel insurance or buy travel insurance to cover risks like missing flights or cancellations⁹.

Setting up price alerts can help you catch fare drops and book flights at the best price⁸. Sites like Scott’s Cheap Flights and The Flight Deal send out alerts on cheap flights, helping you save a lot on trips around the world⁸.

Destination	Peak Season Fare	Off-Season Fare	Savings
New York to Orlando (Thanksgiving)	$618	$333	46%
Los Angeles to Paris (One-Way Economy)	$1,074	22,500 miles ($400)	63%
New York to Greece	$906 (Peak)	$435 (Off-Peak)	52%

Being strategic with your flight booking can lead to big savings and a more affordable trip. Plan ahead, set up price alerts, and follow expert advice on the best times to book flights⁸⁹¹⁰.

“Booking flights three to seven months in advance for domestic travel and four to 10 months for international travel can help you find the best deals.”
– Katy Nastro, Travel Expert at Going

Holiday Travel: When to Book for Peak Seasons

Planning your holiday travel can be tough, but booking early can save you money. As the peak season comes, experts say to book flights early for the best deals. The data shows that people are booking travel with less time to spare than before¹¹. So, the earlier you book, the better.

For Christmas and Thanksgiving, book between 20 and 88 days before you leave to find the cheapest prices¹¹. But, with a possible 5-7% less flights than in 2019¹¹, you should book quickly. A recent survey showed only 31% of Americans plan to travel during this time, down from 42% last year¹¹. So, there will be a lot of competition for flights and hotels.

Booking for New Year’s Eve is similar. Prices for these days will likely go up, and there won’t be as many flights or rooms as in 2019¹¹. For the best deals, book your flights and hotels three to seven months ahead for domestic trips and four to ten months for international ones¹².

Being flexible with your travel dates can also save you money. Booking on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday before Thanksgiving can save about 5%. And booking in the first half of the week before Christmas can save 15% compared to Christmas Eve¹². With some planning and research, you can make the holiday travel season easier and enjoy your vacation.

Debunking Myths: Is There a Cheapest Day to Book?

Many people think booking flights on certain days of the week can save money. But, this idea isn’t entirely true. Airfare experts say airline pricing is more complex than that.

An analysis from Google Flights showed only a tiny 1.9% savings when booking on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays compared to Saturdays or Sundays over five years¹³. The best time to book is when you find a good deal, as these deals don’t last long¹³.

However, some days can be cheaper for flying. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays often have lower prices. Changing your travel dates by just a day can save you hundreds¹³. Also, flying during shoulder seasons can save you money, unlike the peak summer or holiday times¹³.

To save money, watch prices early and be flexible with your travel dates. Booking quickly when you see a good deal is key. The 24-hour cancellation policy also lets you get a full refund if you book directly with the airline within 24 hours¹³.

There isn’t just one “best day” to book flights. It’s more about understanding airline pricing and demand, and what you prefer. By keeping an eye on prices, you can find the best deals¹⁴.

Day of the Week	Potential Savings
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday	1.9% average savings over Saturdays and Sundays¹³
Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday	Significantly cheaper days to fly¹³

“Flights that depart on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays tend to be cheaper due to lower demand and higher supply.”¹⁴

In summary, thinking there’s a specific day to book the cheapest flights is a myth. Airline pricing is complex, influenced by demand, seat availability, and competitive pricing. By staying informed and flexible, you can find great deals on flights¹⁴.

Conclusion

Finding the best time to book flights depends on where you’re going, when you’re traveling, and the busy seasons. Experts say to book domestic flights about 28 days early¹⁵ and international flights around 60 days ahead to save money¹⁶. Being flexible with your travel dates and booking early for busy times can also lead to great deals¹⁵.

Air travel prices have gone up by 25%, more than inflation rates¹⁷. Prices change with the seasons and fuel costs, making summer and holidays more expensive¹⁷. Airlines use sales and promotions to draw in passengers, making prices change often on popular routes or during quiet times¹⁷.

By learning how to find cheap flights, like booking on Tuesdays¹⁶ and using tools to track prices¹⁵, you can save a lot. The best time to book flights varies, but with the right tips, you can find the best deals for your trip.

FAQ

When is the best time to book domestic flights?

The best time to book domestic flights is 28 days before your trip. Airlines open booking about a year early, and prices change often. Booking too early or too late can mean high prices.

What is the best time to book international flights?

For international trips, book no more than four months ahead. The best time is around 60 days before. This advice is different from 2022, when the cheapest fares were found four to six months out.

What are some tips for finding the best deals on flights?

Booking the first flight of the day can be cheaper and less likely to be delayed. Being flexible with your travel dates and booking early for busy times also helps find deals. Avoiding last-minute bookings can save you money.

When is the priciest time to travel, and how can I save money?

The winter holidays are the most expensive time to travel. Booking by mid-October can help save money. Choosing the right dates, like avoiding busy days, can also save you money.

Is there a cheapest day of the week to book flights?

Some think booking on certain days will be cheaper, but it’s not true. Experts say there’s no magic day to book. However, there are times when airlines offer lower prices.