When it comes to air travel, timing is everything. And we're not just discussing arriving two hours early for your flight. Choosing the right day is one of the most important aspects of booking a flight. There's a lot of advice out there suggesting which day of the week is best for grabbing a bargain. The reality? The answer isn't as simple as it used to be.
Historically, Tuesdays were often touted as the golden day for flight deals. Airlines generally launched new sales on Tuesdays a decade ago, leading to cheaper flight deals. However, that's not necessarily the case today. Airlines release sales throughout the week, and there's no guarantee they'll match their competitors' prices. The best day of the week to buy airline tickets is when a flight deal pops up, which isn't reliable on one day over another.
That being said, studies do show some trends worth considering. According to a recent study by Expedia, Sunday is the cheapest day to book flights, with travelers saving 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights compared to Friday bookings. Another study by Google found that flight prices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays were 1.9% cheaper on average than flights on Saturdays and Sundays.
When it comes to the best time to book international flights, you'll want to plan well in advance. Booking at least six months ahead can save an average of 10% compared to booking two months or less before your trip. Google's flight price study suggests the best deals for flights to Europe were found 129 days out, while for flights to Mexico and the Caribbean, the best day to book was 59 days out.
For domestic flights, the booking sweet spot is much closer to your departure date. Expedia's study suggests booking between 28 and 35 days before departure, while Google's study found prices were at their lowest 44 days before departure.
Remember, these are general trends, and actual prices can vary based on factors like season, demand, and even time of day. To make the most of your flight bookings, consider using a tool like Google Flights. This platform allows you to set fare alerts, so you never miss a deal, and it provides the flexibility to search for flights to and from multiple airports, increasing your chances of snagging a bargain. For an in-depth guide on how to maximize Google Flights, check out our article here.
Google Flights is a powerful flight search engine that uses data from various airlines and travel agencies to help you find, compare, and book flights. It offers a range of features to help you secure the best deals. It allows you to play around with your travel dates, track flight prices, and even search for flights to and from multiple airports at once.
Historically, it was believed that Tuesday was the best day to book flights. However, recent studies have shown varying results, with some suggesting Sunday as the cheapest day to book flights. Ultimately, the best day to buy airline tickets is when a flight deal pops up, as this does not reliably happen on one specific day of the week.
According to research, you want to book at least six months in advance for international travel. However, the optimal time varies depending on the destination. For example, the best deals for flights to Europe were found 129 days out on average, while the best deals for flights to Mexico and the Caribbean were found 59 days out on average.
Studies show that for domestic flights, the sweet spot is 28 to 35 days before departure. However, both studies agree that you don’t want to wait until the last minute. Book at least 21 days before departure.
There are often various deals available depending on the season and the airlines. For instance, as of writing this, you can find discounted summer flights with JetBlue and Southwest or fly coast-to-coast for as low as $206. There are also deals for international flights, like business-class flights to Europe for as low as $2,494 or flights to Australia and Tahiti starting at 42,000 miles round-trip.
