Are you wondering when is the best time to book a flight? You’re not alone. Many people are unsure of the best time to book airfare, and this can be a source of stress, especially if you have upcoming travel plans.
In this article, we’ll answer the question, “When is the best time to book a flight?” We’ll also provide information on how to find the best deals on flights.
Overview
There is some science, or at least economics, involved in the art of finding the best flight deals. There are only two constants: flights can be purchased starting around a year before departure, and ticket prices will fluctuate frequently until departure. Plane tickets tend to increase dramatically in the days leading up to a flight, as airlines take advantage of those who wait until the last minute to buy tickets.
However, the dynamic pricing patterns of airline tickets are affected by many factors, such as the location and time of year. Some trips require only a week or two’s notice, while others (like those taking place during a popular travel holiday) benefit from being booked months in advance.
In 2022, after the pandemic, airfare skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. Although Hopper, an airfare tracking website, forecasts that prices will remain high this year, they should decrease slightly. The company attributes the high prices to increased input costs, increased demand, and limited supply in its Consumer Travel Index for the first quarter of 2023.
However, there are still opportunities to save money, and it all comes down to timing. Finding cheap flights isn’t always easy, but we’ll do our best to assist you in your search for the right flight for your upcoming vacation. Our first piece of advice is to begin monitoring flight prices as soon as possible. If the cost of your flight changes, use Google Flights or Hopper to be notified immediately.
Which Day Is Ideal For Purchasing Airline Tickets?
Booking a flight on a Tuesday has traditionally been recommended by travelers as the best day to save money. This was also the case at one point in history. Historically, new sales from airlines occurred on Tuesdays, and competitors were quick to match prices. The result could be discounted fares on Tuesdays. If a new sale were introduced by an airline, that is.
But these days, that piece of advice is outdated. Airlines don’t always have to match their competitors’ sales, and they don’t always release sales on Tuesdays. The best day of the week to buy plane tickets is currently up for debate, with recommendations varying widely depending on the source.
Expedia found that Sunday is the most cost-effective day to book flights. Expedia found that passengers could save 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights by booking on a Sunday instead of a Friday. For the past four years in a row, Sunday has been the day of the week when flight prices are lowest.
According to a separate study conducted by Google, airfare is 1.9% less expensive on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays than it is on Saturdays and Sundays. While the study results were released by Google, the company came to the conclusion that “there isn’t much value in purchasing your tickets on a certain day of the week.”
We agree with this recommendation. If you’re looking to save money on airfare, the best day to shop is the day a sale appears. Not on any particular day of the week, either.
When Should You Book a Domestic Flight?
A study by CheapAir.com in 2022 found that the optimal time to buy domestic airline tickets was 76 days before departure. This is just an average, so don’t feel like you have to start planning your trip 76 days in advance just because of this. According to CheapAir.com, the best time to book a flight is anywhere from 127 to 21 days in advance, which is about a month later than the best time to book a flight in the company’s 2021 study.
Tickets for domestic flights are more expensive when they go on sale, typically a year ahead of time. According to CheapAir.com, prices drop gradually over time, reaching a minimum of four months to three weeks before a flight. After this “prime booking window,” however, prices typically skyrocket.
The Best Time to Book Flights
The most obvious time to book a flight is when there is a sale.
The best deals on airfare never seem to stick around for long. If you find a cheap ticket, buy it immediately. If the price of a flight you’ve been watching drops, it’s time to make your purchase.
It is possible to save hundreds of dollars on airfare by being flexible with your departure date (for example, leaving on a Tuesday instead of a Monday) or by following a cheap flight deal to your destination. We went to places we never would have considered if plane tickets weren’t so cheap.
However, that isn’t a foolproof solution. Perhaps you know where you want to go and when you want to go there; all you need now is a good deal on a plane ticket. If so, the optimal times to begin your search and make your reservation are as follows.
Tips
- Flights should be purchased at least 30–45 days in advance, as recommended by our company. Do not expect to save money by waiting until the last few days or weeks before your trip to book. The days and weeks before a flight are typically the most expensive because airlines know that business travelers and last-minute fliers will pay any price to get to their destination. When you book in advance, you can usually save money.
- We also suggest that vacationers begin their flight search well in advance. You can start looking now for early 2024 travel because most airlines start selling tickets 11 or 12 months in advance. Even though it can be difficult to find deals when looking ahead this far, it is possible to keep an eye on prices and make a reservation when they drop.
- Set a price alert in Google Flights to be notified as soon as the price drops or rises. It’s a convenient way to know exactly when to book your flight, especially if you’re set on your travel dates and destination because you’ll receive an email whenever the price drops significantly.
Are you worried about pressing the button too quickly? Fear not. As long as you purchase a main cabin fare or higher, you will be able to rebook your flight at the lower price or receive a voucher or travel credit. This adaptability is why premium economy tickets are preferable to basic economy ones.
In addition, you can always cancel without penalty within the first 24 hours. Within 24 hours of booking, you can cancel any domestic or international flight booked directly with the airline and receive a full refund.
When to Buy Tickets for Domestic Flights
Domestic flights within the United States are typically the least expensive when booked one to two months in advance.
As always, it’s best to get the hunt going as early as possible. Domestic airfare has been steadily increasing over the past year. If you wait too long to book, you might miss out on a good price.
Set a Google Flights price alert if you need to travel for a specific event, such as a wedding or a large music festival, and buy your tickets as soon as the price drops to a comfortable level for you.
Google Flights data suggests that the best time to book a domestic flight is between 21 and 60 days before departure. The cheapest time to book a domestic flight is 44 days before departure, on average. Of course, it varies by route, but these are some general rules that should help you decide whether to book now or wait for a price drop.
Don’t put off booking your flight in the hopes that the price will decrease further. Finding the best deal could be easiest a little over a month before departure. However, you can expect to pay more if you book your flight more than three weeks in advance of your departure.
When to Buy International Plane Tickets for the Best Prices
You should allow even more time for international flights. International flights typically have a much earlier window in which to book in order to find a good deal than domestic flights do.
Research flight prices at least six months in advance, if possible, and make your reservation no less than two months before departure. After that time, you have a lower chance of finding a low-cost, last-minute ticket. Data from Google Flights shows that the best deals on international flights can be found four months in advance, on average.
Let’s apply this to the real world. Let’s say you’re targeting a September trip to Paris. To get the best deals, start your search for airline tickets in April and book them by July.
France’s capital city of Paris
However, there is no such thing as researching flights too early for a long trip abroad. Most airlines allow you to look up and book flights 11 months in advance, while some of the largest international airlines put flights on sale a full 12 months in advance. This summer is the perfect time to begin planning a trip to Europe for next summer.
When to Buy Holiday Flight Tickets
Typically, airfare increases during the holiday season. This highlights the importance of making long-term preparations.
According to Google Flights data, the cheapest time to book a Thanksgiving flight is between 36 and 74 days before departure, with the average being about 52 days out. That means you should start looking for Thanksgiving flights around September 10 to get the best deals. Generally, the cheapest fares can be found on October 2nd, and by October 19th, the best deals will have ended.
So, after Labor Day, you should aim for flights around Thanksgiving.
The variety is even more extensive during the winter season. According to Google Flights, the best time to book a domestic flight for the Christmas holiday is between 20 and 88 days in advance. Looking for domestic Christmas flights on or around September 28 will get you the best prices; the best deals will be gone by December 5.
If you book a flight between those times, you’ll save the most money. However, if you’re flexible with your dates, you can save hundreds by flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays.
A Google Flights price alert could be your best friend if you have your holiday travel dates locked in. If you want to be notified of a price drop and take advantage of it, set an alert as soon as possible.
When Should You Buy Your Summer Plane Ticket in 2023?
Since summer is one of the most popular times to travel, there aren’t very many good airfare deals to be had at the moment. Expedia and Hopper both agree that seasonality will drive airfare prices up. Flights for summer vacations should ideally be booked as early as possible, preferably at least six months in advance. Expedia and Hopper both say that the most expensive month to fly is June and that prices drop steadily through the rest of summer.
When Booking a Flight, How Many Days Ahead of Time Should You Do So to Get the Best Deal?
There is no simple solution to this problem. However, the most important thing is not to book your flight less than 30–45 days in advance.
There are a few airlines that have affordable fares in the days and weeks before a trip, but they are few and far between. According to Google Flights data, domestic flight prices tend to be cheapest around 44 days before departure. The best deals on international flights tend to be found about four months in advance.
You have a better chance of finding a cheap flight if you start looking for one early. The cost of a plane ticket fluctuates frequently up until the moment it is purchased. You should keep an eye on airfare prices and book as soon as you find one that suits your budget. If you book a main cabin fare or higher and the price drops after you’ve already booked, you can get a refund and rebook at the lower price.
When Is the Best Day of the Week to Book a Flight, and Why?
As we’ve said before, there is no “best” day of the week to look for airfare deals. Contrary to popular belief, flights are not always less expensive on Tuesdays.
There is no set time of day or week when cheap flights are not possible. To avoid missing out on a good deal, it’s best to book your flight first and figure out the rest of your trip details later.
There is no magic day of the week when prices and discounts are at their highest. Every day of the year, we find cheap flights, mistake fares, and unannounced award sales.
However, timing is still crucial. However, the day of the week that you board the plane is more important than when you purchase your tickets.
Because fewer people are looking to book flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, prices tend to be much lower on those days. Changing your departure and arrival dates by just one or two days can save you hundreds of dollars by allowing you to take advantage of off-peak travel times.
Conclusion
When is the best time of year to book a flight? Is it advisable to make a reservation at this time? Or maybe the cost will go down.”
Timing is everything when booking flights, which can be difficult given the volatility of airfare prices. It’s not easy to tell if the price you’re seeing is the lowest it’s going to get.
However, a few rules of thumb can be useful. If you want cheap plane tickets, you should start looking as early as possible, keep an eye on prices, and then make your reservation. Never assume you can buy a ticket at the door.
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