Booking flights is a complex task that requires balancing time, convenience, and timing. While it’s a win to secure the best airfare deals, it’s equally important that you get as close as possible to your desired date and time.
While the traditional method of booking early can still give you an advantage, the airline industry has dramatically evolved over the years. In reality, several factors influence the flight booking process in the modern era. These include dynamic pricing models, travel demand, seasonality, and the day of the week.
In this article, we will explain the best time to book a flight within the United States, explore factors impacting air travel prices, and offer tips to help you save money on travel.
Quick Summary
Before we dive into the finer details of the best time to book a flight, here is a summary of the key points.
Book flights early
- Book domestic flights 1-3 months in advance and 2-8 months for international flights.
- Early booking is particularly crucial for peak travel seasons.
Avoid last-minute bookings
- Last-minute flight bookings are no longer cheap due to advanced airline pricing algorithms, increasing ticket prices closer to departure
Optimal booking windows
- The best booking window for domestic flights is 21-115 days before departure, and the cheapest is around 78 days.
- Book international flights 50-179 days ahead.
Best days to book and fly
- Book on Sundays for the lowest fares.
- Flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays is cheaper than other days.
- Fly red-eye flights (early morning and late night) for the most affordable flight fares
Seasonal considerations
- Peak seasons (winter holidays, spring break) have higher fares.
- Shoulder seasons offer reduced prices
Price tracking tools
- Use price tracking tools like Google Flights, Hopper, Skyscanner, and Kayak to set price drop alerts and predict optimal booking times
Travel reward programs
- Frequent flyer programs and travel rewards credit cards help reduce flight costs, especially for frequent travelers
Avoid common booking pitfalls
- Consider budget airlines, factor in all fees, and stay flexible with dates to find the best fares.
Timing is key
- Confirm your travel plans early and book immediately to avoid fare increases and secure ideal travel dates.
The last-minute booking myth
A common belief is that waiting to book your flight at the last minute will land you the best deal. This practice began in the early days when airlines offered massive discounts on airline tickets as departure dates approached to fill empty seats. However, modern pricing strategies have turned this practice into a myth.
Through digital transformation, airlines have adopted sophisticated pricing systems and models that adjust airline ticket prices based on demand and seat availability. This means ticket prices usually rise instead of dropping if the departure date approaches and the available seats are fewer than the demand.
These sophisticated pricing algorithms, using artificial intelligence, have learned that last-minute travelers, especially those traveling for business, are willing to pay top dollar for flights. As such, airfares tend to increase as the departure date approaches.
To avoid inflated flight prices, it’s important to plan ahead. Booking flights early, ideally months in advance, often gets you the best deals. This is especially true if traveling during peak seasons like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or spring break.
The best booking windows for domestic and international flights
The optimal time to book a flight is influenced by several factors, including whether you live within or outside the United States. According to CNBC Select, the best time for booking domestic flights is when your departure date is between 21 and 115 days away. The prices are at their lowest around 78 days before the departure date.
For international flights, the best time to book a flight window is usually broader. Data shows that booking an international flight 50 to 179 days before departure in advance can land good deals–with the best deals found within 129 days. Generally, the further the destination of your flight, the earlier you should book the flight, especially if you’re booking a flight for peak travel seasons.
However, if you’re flying internationally during less busy seasons like late winter or early fall, you can land favorable airfare deals even within two to three months in advance.
Best days to book flights
Another misconception many travelers believe is that Tuesdays are the best days to book a flight. This was true in the olden days when airlines released fare schedules on Tuesday mornings. The fare schedule releases typically came with price drops as competitors adjusted their airfares to attract more travelers.
This norm has remained a myth in the modern airline industry, as advanced technology and pricing algorithms have made it difficult to pinpoint a specific day when prices would drop. Flight fares can fall and rise anytime, depending on several factors, such as demand and season.
However, according to Forbes, booking a flight on Sundays and weekdays (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) can yield good deals. This is because many airlines usually release airfare deals on weekdays, mainly Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Additionally, fewer people search for and book flights during the weekend, explaining why you can find discounted flights on Sundays. Sundays are the best days to book international flights.
The time of day also influences flight prices. So, if you want to land the best deals, it’s worth setting alerts to get instant notifications of price drops. Another trick for landing cheap flight deals is booking early in the morning or late in the evening. This works because fewer people search for flights during these hours.
Best days to fly
Your choice of day of travel is also important as it can help you save money on flight tickets. Flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays is usually cheaper than any other day of the week, as these days see less traffic from both business and leisure travelers. As such, airlines often offer flight discounts to fill empty seats. In comparison, Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive days to fly. Most leisure travelers fly on Fridays, while the business class flies on Sundays.
If you are a flexible traveler, flying on a weekday can land you excellent flight fare deals. Additionally, flying late-night or early-morning flights, usually called red-eye flights, is another way to find cheaper airfare deals. These flights are less expensive because they are usually less convenient for most travelers. If you can tolerate flying overnight or waking up before everybody else, you can find significant savings on the flight ticket.
Seasonality and peak travel times
Flight prices fluctuate dramatically based on the season. Understanding these trends can help you identify the best times to buy airline tickets.
Winter holidays
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays are usually peak travel times, making flights expensive. If you plan on traveling during these seasons, consider booking your flights as early as 11 months in advance. Waiting too long might not just result in expensive flights, but you could also find the flights have been fully booked.
Spring break
Spring break, from late February to mid-April, is another peak travel season, especially for destinations popular with family getaways and college students. Again, booking your flights early is essential to lock in the best airfare deals.
Summer vacation
June to August is another peak season for flights to most destinations. Due to increased demand, both international and domestic flights are expensive during these months. If you are planning a summer trip and wish to lock in good airfare deals, book your flight three to five months in advance.
Shoulder seasons
Another favorable season to fly or book a flight is during the ‘shoulder season’ between late September and early November and from late January to early March. Fewer people travel these months, so many airlines reduce flight prices to fill empty seats. If you are flexible with your schedule, traveling during shoulder seasons can save you a lot on flight tickets.
If you are planning an international trip, it is important to note that different destinations have different peak seasons. For instance, while the summer season is the peak for European destinations, winter is the peak for tropical destinations like the Caribbean.
Tools to track and predict flight prices
One of the most frustrating aspects of booking flights is the fluctuating prices of plane tickets. Fortunately, thanks to technological advancements and innovations, there are tools designed to help you navigate these challenges. You can utilize one or more of the tools below to monitor airfare changes by setting price change alerts. These tools notify you when flight deals are available and can help you ensure you book flights at the right time.
Google Flights
Google Flights is a powerful airfare tracking tool. Once you identify the route you plan to travel, you can set an alert, and Google will notify you when prices on this route drop. Furthermore, Google Flights offers insights into whether the advertised price is the usual price or higher than typical. This will help you make informed decisions during the flight booking process.
Hopper
Hopper is a powerful tool for booking flights and hotels. It uses historical data to predict flight and hotel prices. Based on its predictions, the tool recommends whether you should purchase an airline ticket now or wait for a price drop. Hopper is an amazing tool for travelers wishing to save on their flights.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is another excellent tool for finding good flight deals. It offers a flexible date search feature to predict the cheapest days to book flights within the month. If you are adaptable to changing your travel dates, Skyscanner can help you find the cheapest plane tickets available.
Kayak
Kayak is like Google Flights and Hopper combined. It’s a flight price tracking tool that offers airfare prediction services and allows travelers to set price drop alerts. Kayak is an excellent tool as it helps you track flight prices and alert you when good deals are available.
By taking advantage of these tools, you can stay ahead of time and ensure your travel dates are not greatly interrupted. These tools will not only help you plan, but they will also help you avoid overpaying for flights.
Travel rewards and frequent flyer programs
Many airlines have loyalty programs that reward travelers with miles or points for every flight they take. These programs are essential for frequent travelers who wish to reduce the cost of their flights. Your points can be redeemed for different perks, including free or discounted ticket prices or travel class upgrades.
Besides frequent flyer reward programs, travel reward credit cards are another excellent way to reduce the cost of travel. Many travel credit cards offer signup bonuses worth hundreds of dollars. For instance, Chase Sapphire Preferred is a travel credit card offering significant points for flight purchases. You can use the points accumulated to book flights or make hotel reservations.
Ensure you pay off your monthly balances to avoid interest accumulation that can negate your savings. By using these programs and your travel credit card wisely, you can accumulate rewards and reduce travel costs.
What to avoid when booking flights
There are plenty of strategies to help you find cheap flights. However, there are also pitfalls to avoid during this process. Here are common mistakes to avoid when booking a flight.
Overlooking budget airlines
Many travelers automatically reject budget airlines and turn to major carriers. Budget airlines are the best way to fly if you want to cut your travel budget significantly. Airlines like Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier often offer cheaper plane tickets for domestic trips. Although they may charge extra for seat selection and checked bags, comparing prices across different airlines is important to fly the cheapest fare.
Ignoring fees
Always factor in all charges before purchasing your ticket. Some airlines offer the lowest ticket prices but charge excessively high for seat selection, checked bags, and luggage. Understanding the total cost of your trip will help you find the best deal.
Not being flexible
Flexibility is a must for travelers who wish to save on travel costs. If your travel dates are adaptable, you can often find cheaper plane tickets. Use search engines and the price tracking tools mentioned above to get price drop notifications and insights. Consider flying on weekdays, overnight, or taking early morning flights. All these tactics are excellent for landing the best flight prices.
Book early for the best deals
When it comes to flight booking, timing is everything. While the culture of the good old days may tempt you to wait for last-minute deals, this will only lead to disappointments and canceled trips. Book flights early to get the best price. This means making reservations as soon as you are sure of your plans.
If you’re going on an international trip, the recommendations are even stricter: book your flights months in advance. Many airlines release flight schedules well in advance.
FAQs
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References
- These are the world’s best airline rewards programs, according to Point.me, CNN Travel
- Flying for cheap: Tricks and tips to get best deals on airline tickets, Business Standard
- How Have Flight Frequencies Between China & Canada Changed In Recent Years?, Simple Flying
- This is the best time to book your flight for cheaper tickets, CNBC