When Is The Cheapest Time To Book A Flight?

Flying has always been one of the most expensive forms of travel, but the cost is especially high right now. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average airfare cost $298 in May 2023, up from $264 at the beginning of the year.

If you’re looking for ways to save money on a tight budget, most travel experts agree that it’s best to book your flight in advance. But when are flights cheapest? We’ll explore the different factors affecting airline prices, and how you can snag cheap flights.

Why Airline Ticket Prices Fluctuate

Air travel prices can be volatile, and most people have had the experience of finding a flight and not acting quickly enough during a price drop, only to have the price go up just a few hours later. According to the Annual Airfare Study by CheapAir.com, you can expect plane tickets to get more expensive the closer you get to your flight. Seasonal changes, holidays and other factors can also have a big impact on how prices change.

Factors That Affect Airfare Prices

When looking for the best flight deals, you might wonder what the cheapest day is to book. Despite what many people claim, the day of the week when you book your flight has very little impact on the price you end up paying. Here are the biggest factors that impact airline prices.

How Far In Advance You Book

Airfare prices can also change quite a bit in the months and weeks leading up to your flight. As many business travelers know, booking a flight at the last minute will almost always result in higher prices. 

While there’s no golden rule on timing, there seems to be a prime booking window. On average, the best day to book flights is 70 days before your departure date. However, this isn’t an exact science — and due to a possible flight change or cancellation, you should expect to monitor flights over several days to watch out for any deals.

Days Of The Week You Travel

The day of the week you book your flight doesn’t have much impact on the price, but the day you end up flying does. For example, leaving on a Wednesday will usually be less expensive than a Friday, which is true for both domestic flights and international flights. Whether you’re headed on a short trip just a couple states away or a long haul to Europe, midweek departures help avoid the most expensive days. So does competition from other airlines – often if one airline drops their prices, the competition will usually follow suit. Keep in mind, for round-trip domestic flights, departures on Tuesdays and Wednesdays have better fares, while the cheapest days for international travel are Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Season Of The Year

Airline prices are largely influenced by supply and demand. As the demand increases, (especially for holiday travel) the price will go up and vice versa. So, if you try to book a flight during peak season like spring break and summer, or for major holidays like Christmas and the New Year, you’ll pay more for your flight. If you’re looking for the cheapest time and can be flexible with travel dates, you should try to book your flight during a less busy travel season.

4 Tips For Getting Cheaper Flights

Flights can be expensive but if you’re strategic about it, there are ways you can save on airline tickets. Here are four tips for finding cheaper flights.

1. Sign Up For Airline Email Lists

If there’s a certain airline you enjoy flying, you might consider joining their email list. These emails can help you stay informed about special offers and promotions on airline tickets and can be a good way to find flight deals and other travel discounts.

2. Book A Flight With A Layover

Flight prices vary due to destination, but they can also vary if there’s a layover involved. When looking for the cheapest flights, booking one with a layover is often cheaper than booking a direct flight since most people prefer nonstop flights. However, it’s important to check your booking details so you can ensure you have enough time to catch your connecting flight.

3. Get An Airline Points Credit Card

An airline loyalty credit card is a good way to find cheaper flights and reap travel rewards by taking advantage of common credit card perks. Travel credit cards let you earn points when you buy airline tickets, reserve a hotel stay and other travel expenses. Once you accrue enough points, you can use your rewards to book free flights.

4. Compare Ticket Prices On Different Travel Sites

You can also sign up for a price alert when ticket prices change, on travel search engines like Google Flights, Kayak or Skyscanner. These are metasearch engines, so you can’t use them to buy your tickets, but they’re good comparison tools to help you save money on your airfare.

FAQs: The Best Time To Book A Flight

There’s no one way to find cheap flights, and you may have to try a lot of different tactics to see what works for you. Here are the answers to some additional questions you may have about booking cheap airline flights.

Do flight prices go down on Tuesday?

When it comes to price, the day of the week you book your flight doesn’t matter as much as the day of the week you choose to depart. Tuesdays and Wednesdays aren’t usually high-travel days, so the price is typically cheaper since there’s less demand.

What day are flight prices lowest?

Midweek tends to be the cheapest days to book a flight while the weekends are usually more expensive. Tuesdays and Wednesdays seem to be more economical for domestic flights, while Wednesdays and Thursdays are better for international flights.

How far in advance should I book a flight for the best price?

In general, it’s a good idea to book your flight 70 days before your departure date to secure the lowest prices on flights. The closer you get to your flight, the more expensive they will become. 

Do flight prices go up the more I search?

Yes, flight prices do become more expensive the more frequently you search. This practice is known as dynamic pricing — the more demand there is for a particular flight, the more expensive it will be.

The Bottom Line: The Best Time To Book A Flight Often Varies

Traveling can be expensive, but by planning ahead, you can find ways to save money on your flight. If you’re looking for ways to free up extra money for traveling, download the Rocket Money℠ app, which helps you cancel unused subscriptions and memberships so you can fund your next trip.