The Best Days To Buy Airline Tickets and When to Fly

Tuesday is the best day to buy airline tickets, as airlines frequently launch sales on Monday nights or early Tuesday mornings. This shows booking for flights on a Tuesday is more likely to result in better deals than on other weekdays.

Travelers should be aware that certain days of the week may offer advantages based on factors such as destination, season, and industry trends. These factors allow them to optimize their savings for their upcoming trips.

This blog is all about the best days for purchasing an airline ticket, considering all the factors. So, let’s get into it!

Best Days to Book a Flight

There isn’t a specific best day of the week to book a flight. Flight prices can vary based on demand, so deals can be found any day.

Airlines may adjust their sales, seat availability, and prices to compete with other carriers. As a result, there is no consistent pattern regarding which day of the week offers the best deals.

NOTE: With many airlines offering flexible cancellation policies, it’s a smart idea to book a good rate at the moment and rebook if prices drop later.

Best Days to Fly

Flying on weekdays rather than weekends often results in lower fares and fewer crowds due to less demand. For international flights, flying on mid-week days offers reasonable prices.

Additionally, flying on holidays can sometimes result in better deals. By booking flights on these optimal days, you can secure better rates, avoid the rush, and make the most of your travel budget.

Here are the detailed findings regarding the best days to fly, based on travel trends, fare patterns, and airline pricing strategies:

What are the Cheapest Days to Fly?

Identifying the most cost-effective days for air travel can significantly impact your travel expenses. Typically, airfares are more affordable during off-peak hours. 

Opting for travel dates with lower passenger traffic can result in cost-effective bookings and you can often save money and enjoy a smoother travel experience.

Below is the overview of average airfare prices for domestic flights (day-wise).

Credits: Nerdwallet.com

Choose Tuesday and Friday for Less Crowded Flights

For domestic trips, Sundays and Mondays are the priciest days to fly. Tuesdays and Fridays are often considered the cheapest days to fly. The airfare is approximately 12% lower than the peak Sunday prices on these specific days.

Cheapest International Flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays

The most affordable days for international flights are Wednesdays or Saturdays for all international travelers. However, the price variation for most international routes is not significant across different days of the week. 

Additionally, traveling to Europe on a Wednesday will only save you approximately 10% compared to the most expensive day, which is Friday.

Fly on Holidays for Lower Costs

During the days surrounding a holiday, there would be an increase in air travel, resulting in limited availability of airplane seats and higher prices. For optimal savings, make your reservation as soon as possible. 

The best time to book a holiday flight for mid-December is approximately 71 days before departure. In numerous instances, the best day for air travel is a few days before the holiday. For example, if the holiday is on a Monday, flying on the preceding Tuesday is often more cost-effective than flying on the Friday before. 

Another option is to consider flying on the actual holiday. Flying on a particular holiday is often cheaper than flying on the days immediately before or after.

Best Time to Book a Flight

The ideal window for getting the best flight deals usually falls between 50 and 179 days before your travel date, with the sweet spot often being around 129 days in advance. When it comes to destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean, shorter booking windows tend to be more effective.

Book your flight approximately 59 days before the departure dates to secure the best prices. However, it’s worth noting that the lowest fares can also be found between 37 and 87 days in advance.

For domestic flights, the best time to book a flight is between 28 to 35 days and 44 days before the departure dates. However, it is recommended not to wait until the very last minute and aim to book at least 21 days in advance.

Rebook When You Find a More Affordable Price

Many airlines have implemented more lenient change and cancellation policies, allowing passengers to reschedule flights and potentially save money.

Before proceeding, verify that your initial flight reservation does not incur any change or cancellation fees. For several airlines, this policy applies to most main cabin and premium class tickets on domestic flights and some short-haul international flights. However, basic economy tickets cannot be changed or canceled free of charge.

If you have the option to cancel or modify your booking without incurring fees, consider setting a price alert. If the fare drops, you can cancel your existing flight and rebook at a lower price, either with the same airline or a different one.

NOTE: On cancellation of your flight, you will receive a travel voucher or credit. Consider this option only if you are sure that you will fly with the same airline within the next year.

Frequently Asked Questions