While it can be tempting to book your tickets as soon as possible and get them out of the way, it pays off in the end to do a bit of research and find out which days are actually cheaper than others. Let's take a look at some tips that will help you find the cheapest times to fly with the best flight deals.
What are the cheapest days of the week to fly?
Most people are more likely to travel on Fridays or weekends (most often Saturdays), which means that midweek flight prices tend to be at there lowest price with often a significant price drop. So if you’re planning a trip and want to save money on your domestic flights and international flights, consider flying on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday instead.
Not only will it save you money on your airline ticket, but you’ll also avoid the crowds so your flight will be much more enjoyable. Plus many airports have fewer flight delays midweek. This means there’s less chance of missing connecting flights due to inclement weather or other factors.
Whether you’re looking for cheap days to fly international or just flying internally, the above tips will provide you a great chance to save!
What months of the year are cheapest to fly?
One of the best ways to save money when booking flights is to look for deals during the cheapest months and base your travel date around this. Generally, the most affordable time of year to book a plane ticket is mid-January to mid-February and from mid-August to mid-October, but there are additional times during which you can save on airfare.
Airlines typically lower fares in the spring months of April, May and June, as well as late September and November due to the lower demand for travel during these periods.
Traveler's who are planning a trip can also benefit from booking around major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas when airlines offer deals on their flights.
What is the best time of the day to book flight tickets?
The best time of day to find cheap flight tickets is late afternoon or early evening. Generally, airlines will begin to discount their prices around 4 pm as they look to fill seats that remain empty after the busy business travel period has ended.
Additionally, while airlines may drop their prices again in the very early morning hours, these discounted tickets may not be available on the same route or even on the airline's website if inventory has sold out. By booking earlier in the day, traveler's can take advantage of lower prices before other passengers have had a chance to access them.
Furthermore, research shows that airlines are more likely to offer discounts during off-peak travel times such as midweek and off-season vacations. Therefore, it pays for traveler's to plan ahead and book their flights for less crowded days and times when possible in order to get cheaper fares.
A checklist for finding the best days and time to book your flight tickets
- Midweek flights tend to be cheaper than those on Fridays or weekends, so traveler's should consider flying on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
- The cheapest months for airfare are typically mid January to mid February and from mid August to mid October. Airlines may also offer discounts in the spring and late September/November due to lower demand for travel during these months.
- Avoid major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas to find cheaper flight tickets.
- Late afternoon into the early evening is usually the best time of day to find cheap flight tickets as airlines look to fill seats that remain empty. Additionally, off peak days such as weekdays can result in discounted fares being offered by airlines.
- Booking flights during the early hours of the morning (12 am - 3 am approx) can result in cheaper airline fares as other passengers have not had the chance to view the airfare deals.
Want to get more tips for booking cheap flights? Read Top 10 tips for booking cheap flights
Conclusion
So, if you are looking to continue to find ways to save on your next flight or trip away, you can carry on reading our other articles which further explain he best techniques to save money:
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