How to save on airfare: the best dates to book travel at different times of the year

Every traveler has a theory about when is the best time to buy airline tickets. There are many myths around this issue. Where to look for the truth CNTraveler.

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We've all heard it: lowest fares on Tuesdays at 15pm (no, Saturday at 00am is the best time to buy!), book at least two months in advance (no, you have to look for a deal and fly at the last minute !).

“The idea that there is one best day and time to buy tickets to get a great deal is a myth that simply refuses to die,” says Willis Orlando, senior product specialist at Scott's Cheap Flights. Orlando explains that the reason for this insistence is that the concept was true decades ago, when airline staff updated prices every week, meaning savvy passengers could find great deals by booking immediately after those updates. But “the fact of the matter is that things don’t work that way now, and haven’t for a long time,” says Orlando. “Airfare these days is very complex and changes constantly, sometimes by the hour.”

On the subject: Alaska Airlines offers a subscription for $49 per month and fly for free for a whole year

With the pandemic causing even more changes in both passenger buying patterns (flexibility is key) and airline response (no more cancellation fees), the question of the best time to book becomes even more complex.

Luckily, there are still some solid strategies that passengers can use to get the best deals. First: aim to buy tickets during the so-called "basic booking window" or "optimal booking window", that is, several weeks (or even months) before departure, when the best offers are most likely.

According to the latest data from Expedia, that window is 28 to 35 days prior to a domestic flight and three to four months for international flights. Scott's Cheap Flights calls this the "Goldilocks Window": according to them, it usually falls one to three months before domestic flights and two to eight months for international flights.

Just don't wait less than 21 days before departure as prices go up and up as you get closer to your departure date. According to Adit Damodaran, an economist at Hopper, prices skyrocket two weeks before departure: two weeks before departure they will rise by 25%, and in the last week by another 30%.

Another key factor is the day you fly. Expedia and Hopper have found that Tuesday through Friday is the best time to fly, whether you're flying international or domestic. Departure on Saturday or Sunday? Be prepared to pay a surcharge which also applies if you are traveling on major holidays such as Christmas and July 4th.

The best time to book flights becomes even more specific depending on the season, holiday or destination. Here's what else you should know about when (and when not) to buy airline tickets.

The best time to buy air tickets depending on the season

When to book spring flights

During spring break, airfare does not skyrocket on certain days, as it does on other date-dependent holidays such as Christmas or Thanksgiving. But that doesn't mean you can leave your booking to the last minute: According to Hopper, domestic flights in March 2022, when spring school breaks normally take place, cost about $290 round trip, still a six percent reduction from 2019. year. However, if you wait until the last minute (a week before departure) to book your ticket, Hopper predicts airfare will rise by 45 percent (to about $365).

When to book summer flights

CheapAir.com's latest annual airfare survey found that the cheapest tickets are 67 days before departure. During the summer, Hopper usually sees a peak in domestic and international airfare due to higher seasonal travel demand; therefore, passengers should book tickets at least (and ideally much longer) five weeks before departure for summer holidays such as Memorial Day and July 4th. In the meantime, Scott's Cheap Flights experts advise planning ahead and booking summer tickets in the winter to get the best prices.

Don't expect summer 2022 tickets to be cheap either: According to the Hopper Airline Consumer Price Index, the monthly increase in airfare under normal conditions before the pandemic will be less than two percent by summer. “However, in 2022, we are forecasting much higher airfare growth averaging seven percent month-on-month, driven by a recovery in demand from the wave of omicron options and rising jet fuel prices,” the platform said.

When to book autumn flights

When it comes to booking fall flights, many fares are cheaper due to the off-season. However, you need to plan ahead: CheapAir suggests booking flights up to about 89 days in advance to get the best deal. When it comes to Thanksgiving flights, Hopper says prices are lowest at the end of September, but you don't need to book them as soon as possible. The flight-tracking app found that prices didn't fluctuate much until Halloween, when fares skyrocketed, so you have a little time to decide when and where your family will gather for fall break.

When to book winter flights

Winter flights also need advance planning: it's best to book your tickets 68 days in advance to get the best fares. The best deals for both domestic and international winter travel appear in mid-September, about 90 to 100 days in advance, Hopper said, with domestic prices tending to jump seven percent in the two weeks leading up to Christmas.

The best time to buy airline tickets for destinations

If you are going to Europe

Good deals can still be found from the US to Europe, according to Hopper, as prices have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. But with a lot of pent-up demand, you need to plan ahead to get on less expensive flights. Hopper says the best time to book to find a great deal in Europe is usually 91 days before departure, while CheapAir data points to a longer window of 120 days.

If you are going to Asia

Since the pandemic, airfares from the United States to Southeast Asia have become significantly more volatile and expensive than before the pandemic. According to Hopper data, the average cost of airfare to the region is currently $1150 per round trip, more than 28 percent more than the $900 round trip this time around in 2019. According to CheapAir.com, the average flight time is 77 days. But you have a lot of flexibility when booking your flight, since according to the latest data from CheapAir.com, the main booking window, when the number of flights is low and does not fluctuate too much, is 2,5 to 6,5 months before departure. You'll also find the cheapest rates in February, so book accordingly.

If you are going to Africa

Plan your trip to Africa in advance, and not only with flights. It is suggested to start working with a safari travel specialist at least six months in advance. For the least expensive flights and the best choice, the window is 7-10 months for spring and winter; for summer, that window is 2,5 months, according to CheapAir.com. In particular, the best day to book is 96 days before departure, and the cheapest month to fly is November.

Best day of the week to buy air tickets

According to many industry insiders, it's time to drop the misconception that there is a magical day for booking cheap tickets. CheapAir says it "virtually doesn't affect the price" depending on which day you book your tickets, and the average low fare varies by just $1 depending on the day. This means that you no longer have to worry if you forget to turn on your laptop to book flights on a certain day.

However, there is one notable exception...

Journey on Tuesday

While Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday can be the best days to stock up on all the essential suitcases, beauty supplies and neck pillows, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is one of the best days to fly. According to Hopper, there are 43% more airfare deals on the day than usual, mostly because travel demand drops after Thanksgiving. This doesn't mean that every Tuesday is the best day to book, but this Tuesday is the one you're sure to find a couple of deals.

The best time to buy air tickets depending on the day of departure

Weekdays

Generally speaking, Tuesdays and Wednesdays have the best rates for domestic flights, as there is less competition between business travelers and other passengers. Avoid flying on Sundays whenever possible: According to CheapAir's latest data, you can expect to spend an average of about $82 more on Sunday than on Tuesday or Wednesday, a difference that can mean significant savings, especially for families.

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And if you really want to save money, don't forget the return date as well. According to Hopper, "the cheapest combination" is to leave on Saturday and return on Tuesday, which can save you about $50 compared to gentitcndbtv from Friday to Sunday.

Don't discount hot deals

Despite all the advance planning advice, sometimes the best airfare deals come at the last minute, especially as airlines continue to lure passengers back as the pandemic subsides. Orlando of Scott's Cheap Flights advises those who missed booking in advance to keep their eyes open and have their passports at the ready for last minute deals like the recent "$470 including baggage, round trip tickets to Malta from 5 US cities", with travel dates already a week later, which SCF discovered. “Deals like this just didn’t exist and will likely fade into the background when things get back to normal,” Orlando says.

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