While planning a trip, be it domestic or international, it takes us to the peak of excitement. But this job is stressful. Especially when it comes to flight booking, there are many factors to need to be considered such as destination, budget, and timing. Additionally, you have to think how and when to get the best flight deals. One of the most common but important questions we have to think about in this regard is what is the perfect time or best day to book flights. In this article we are trying to find some answers on this topic like the best days to book flights.
Understand the Flight Booking Process
It is essential to know before booking flights on a particular day, what are the flight booking processes of airlines. Besides knowing the Best day for booking flights, some other factors affect flight prices, such as demand, departure time, and the day of the week or date you are booking the flight. Most airlines use algorithms to adjust flight prices in real time, which can make your flight booking a challenge.
The Myth of Tuesday
Historically popular, Tuesday is the ideal or best day to book flights, as it is the day when you are most likely to find the best flight deals. According to various theories, airlines usually release discounted fares for flights on Tuesdays and fire their normal fares again on Wednesdays. But now these ideas are not so relevant. With the advent of dynamic pricing, now flight prices can drop any day of the week. So, the best day to book a flight cannot be any specific day.
The Role of Timing
Instead of focusing on which day of the week might be the cheapest to book a flight, focus on which day you want to book. According to experts, you should book flights six to eight weeks before departure. Then you can save a lot of money on flight booking. But this may vary according to your destination, what time of year you are looking to book, and also the events.
Seasonal Trends
When selecting the best time to buy a plane ticket, you have to know that booking flights at certain times of the year can help you book cheaper flights, such as peak and off-peak seasons commonly known as “shoulder seasons”. For example, if you book a flight in the fall or spring, it’s much cheaper than the summer or holiday season. maybe less.
Flexibility Is Key
You have to be flexible when looking for the best deals on flights or finding the best day to buy airline tickets. If you’re flexible with your flight booking dates, times, and even airports, you can definitely rack up significant savings. Many airlines, flight comparison websites, OTAs, and various apps offer flexible date options, through which you can easily identify which days the flight fares may be lower.
What Is The Best Day To Buy Airline Tickets?
We have discussed earlier that travelers are advised to book flights on Tuesday to get the best flight deals. At one time, it was true. A decade ago, almost all airlines used to release their best flight views on Tuesdays. As a result, the flight prices of the airlines would match each other. But now times have changed. Again you can get cheap flight deals on Tuesday, if the airline launches new sales again. Now Tuesday is not only the best day to buy plane tickets. But now this advice cannot be relied upon. Now airlines don’t only publish cheap flight fares on Tuesdays. Airlines try to keep themselves unique, they try not to match the fares above.
According to Expedia research, you can get the best flight deals if you book your flight on Sunday. Comparing Sunday flight prices with Friday prices shows that you can save 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights. Expedia says Sunday is the best days to book flights since 2019.
Another study by Google revealed that many airlines lower Saturday and Sunday flight prices than Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by an average of 1.9%. But in this case, Google concluded that: “A particular day of the week does not have much effect on your ticket purchase.”
The best days to book flights are when your favorite airline’s flight deal pops up It may not be on certain days of every week.
When Is The Best Time To Book a Flight?
Best Time To Book International Flights: Expedia Research has shown that you can save a significant amount of money if you book tickets at least six months in advance for your international trip. Research reports that those who book tickets six months in advance, rather than two months or less, save about 10% on average.
Google conducts a flight price survey to find the best flight deals for its customers, which includes two types of international flight analysis. Google found that the best deals on flights to Europe are available within 129 days of booking. Elsewhere it may be between 50 and 179 days. Flights to Mexico and the Caribbean generally do not require that much advance booking.
If you want to book international flights in advance, the main reason behind it is to take advantage of reduced prices. Most airlines charge basic economy fares regularly. However, US airlines change standard economy fares freely.
Before booking the flight you should survey well what might seem like a decent deal as per your requirement, choose and lock it. Then wait for the fare to drop. For this you can use the flight comparison tool, Fare Alert. Also if you are flexible with date and time, you can change flights to get flight deals. You can also use rewards or vouchers to save on future flights.
Best Time To Book Domestic Flights Different studies have revealed that you don’t always need to book long-haul flights to get the best deals. Expedia has revealed in several reviews that flight prices drop 28 to 35 days before departure. Again, Google research reveals that the ideal time for this drop is 44 days before departure. However, both studies reveal that you don’t have to wait until the last minute to get the best deals on flights.
There May Not Be a Best Day To Buy an Airline Ticket To be clear, there is no particular best day to buy airline tickets. The day on which the price drops is the best day. It is also seen that airlines often lower the fares to fill seats. It happens mostly when a new route is introduced. A route has just opened and the airline wants the seats on the route to be filled. For example, the airline is selling flights for just $120 after the launch of Norse Atlantic Airways flights.
Many times it is seen that the airline’s flights are very expensive and have many empty seats at the time of departure. Then they lower the price of the flight to fill the empty seats. But you have to pay close attention to this price drop.
What are the cheapest times to fly?
Generally, the cheapest time to fly, considered to be the time when others don’t want to fly, is usually an early morning or very late night flight. Also, different seasons affect flight prices. The best time to fly and the ideal time to book a flight are discussed below:
- If you are planning a budget-friendly trip in spring, you must be aware, that many travelers book their vacations during the Easter break. So it is very important to book a holiday outside of the Easter holidays. Keep track of tickets from about 94 days in advance.
- Most of the travelers prefer to travel during summer. As a result, the fares of the flights increased a lot during this time and it became difficult to find budget flights. If you’re planning a summer vacation, buy the tickets at least 99 days in advance, you’ll increase your chances of finding a budget flight.
- Autumn is also a great time to travel. But if you think of traveling in autumn instead of summer vacation, you can get flight tickets much cheaper. So book flights at least 69 days in advance – you’re sure to get the best price.
- Keep in mind that traveling around Christmas and New Year is always expensive, but if you’re thinking of taking a holiday in late January you can definitely travel on the cheap. And if planning to travel during the festive season, book flights at least 99 days in advance.
- If you want to book budget tickets for your trip then definitely book tickets directly through an airline rather than going through an online travel agency (OTA). They protect the lower fares of tickets as well as procedures like flight schedule delays, booking changes, and cancellations very well.
Conclusion
Although no one has an exact idea of the best time or best days to book flights. But surveys suggest Tuesdays and Wednesdays may be ideal for booking flights. The reason behind this is that most airlines often offer discounts on flight fares at the beginning of the week. It is important to do enough research on this matter. Consider the above-mentioned tips and strategies, while booking your flight for vacation or other trip.
Frequently Asked Question's
What day of the week is best to book a flight?
No specific day of the week is best to book the flight ticket. Airlines release deals and promotions any day of the week. flight prices fluctuate is totally depending on travelers' demand.
Are flights cheaper on Tuesdays?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are considered as the least expensive days to fly. According to different surveys, booking flights on Tuesday and Wednesday can increase the chance of saving 15% on domestic flights or 8% on international flights.
At what time flight tickets are cheapest in India?
According to a research report by Google, flying in the middle of the week can be the cheaper option to fly in rather than on the weekend.
In which month flight tickets are cheapest?
If you're looking for the best month to travel, January can be the best option. At the same time, flying in February are second option for getting an affordable flight.