In the quest for affordable air travel, many globetrotters fixate on finding the perfect moment to book their flights. However, this common preoccupation overlooks a more crucial aspect of securing budget-friendly fares.
Forget about the myth of booking on a Tuesday or any specific day for that matter. Whether it’s Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or just an ordinary Wednesday, there’s no definitive “best day to book flights” that guarantees savings. Data analysis from Google Flights confirms this, debunking the long-held belief that purchasing tickets mid-week leads to cheaper prices compared to weekends.
The real secret to cheaper flights lies in when you choose to fly, not when you book your tickets.
While airfare is notoriously unpredictable and subject to constant fluctuations – with great deals and even mistake fares appearing at any time – consistent patterns emerge regarding peak travel days. Understanding these patterns and focusing on less popular travel days is the most effective strategy for finding cheap flights.
Opting to fly on days with lower demand, such as Tuesday or Wednesday, frequently unlocks significantly cheaper airfares. Adjusting your travel dates by just a single day can be the key to substantial savings, potentially cutting costs by hundreds on your next adventure.
Let’s delve into the details and reveal the cheapest days to take to the skies.
Debunking the Myth: Is There a Best Day to Book a Flight?
You’ve likely heard it repeated countless times, perhaps from well-meaning friends or colleagues: “Tuesday is the magic day for booking cheap flights.”
Unfortunately, this widely circulated advice is simply not accurate.
While some airlines, like Southwest, JetBlue, and Alaska Airlines, might launch promotional sales on Tuesdays, Fridays, or even Mondays, these advertised “discounts” are often underwhelming. You might just as easily find a better deal on a Wednesday, Thursday, or any other day of the week.
The notion of a specific day or time for booking the cheapest flights is an outdated myth. It ignores the dynamic nature of airfare, which changes not just daily, but hourly and even by the minute, influenced by complex algorithms and fluctuating demand.
Trust the experts: Our team of dedicated flight deal analysts at Thrifty Traveler constantly monitors airfares to uncover the best deals for our Thrifty Traveler Premium members. We consistently find incredibly cheap flights, mistake fares, and exclusive award sales every day of the week, proving that great deals aren’t confined to a single day.
While pinpointing the cheapest day to book is futile, identifying the cheapest days to fly is a different story. Our analysts consistently observe that certain days are inherently less expensive to travel on, and focusing on these days is your ticket to cheaper airfare.
So, what exactly is the cheapest day to fly? Let’s explore the data and uncover the truth.
Unveiling the Cheapest Days to Fly: Your Weekly Guide
Let’s reiterate a key point: Flight prices are volatile and constantly in flux.
While there’s no foolproof formula, a clear trend emerges when examining the cheapest days to fly. The optimal days might vary slightly depending on your destination, but the underlying principle remains consistent.
Domestic Flights: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays Reign Supreme
For travel within the United States, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday typically stand out as the most economical days to fly. If your travel plans allow for flexibility around these days, you’ll not only benefit from lower fares but also likely encounter less crowded airports.
Google’s data reveals that over the past five years, flying on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday has been, on average, 13% cheaper than flying on weekend days. Specifically for domestic flights within the U.S., this saving jumps to an impressive 20%!
Why these particular days? These are generally the least busy travel days of the week. Many leisure travelers embark on long weekend trips starting on Thursdays or Fridays, returning on Sundays. Business travelers often depart on Mondays and return on Thursdays or Fridays. This leaves Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays with fewer travelers, prompting airlines to offer lower prices to fill seats on these off-peak days.
Conversely, the most expensive days to fly are those coinciding with peak travel times. Flying on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays will generally incur higher costs due to increased demand.
Consider this example: Imagine planning a spring getaway from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest, specifically from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Portland (PDX). Flights are noticeably cheaper on most Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Saturday departures also frequently offer savings compared to other days.
calendar of flight prices
Choosing to fly on these cheaper days could potentially save you nearly $200 or more on round-trip domestic flights compared to departing on peak days.
International Flights: Embrace Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
Do these principles extend to international travel?
Yes, many of the same patterns apply. Flying internationally on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays is consistently your most advantageous strategy for finding cheaper fares. Let’s examine another example.
Suppose you’re planning a spring trip from New York City (JFK) to Rome (FCO). A quick check on Google Flights price calendar reveals:
Again, the midweek flight rule holds true. Flights departing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are significantly cheaper – often by $100s – in this example. While some cheaper fares appear on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays as well, the trend leans heavily towards midweek and Saturday savings.
This is just one illustration, but the overall pattern is clear. Regardless of your international destination, considering Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday departures can unlock substantial savings.
Time of Day Matters Too: Are There Cheaper Times to Fly?
Beyond the day of the week, the time of day you fly also influences ticket prices.
It’s all about supply and demand. Just as with cheaper days, flight times preferred by most travelers tend to be more expensive. Flights departing in the late afternoon after the workday or returning mid-morning to avoid early wake-ups are highly sought after, driving up prices. Mid-morning and early evening flights are often pricier, although this trend is less rigid than the day-of-week pattern.
To maximize savings, consider early morning, midday, or late-night flights. For long-haul transcontinental or international flights, opting for a red-eye overnight flight can lead to significant cost reductions.
Looking at nonstop Delta flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Fort Myers (RSW), a late evening flight arriving close to 11 p.m. might not be ideal for everyone, but it could save you $50 or more compared to flights at more convenient times.
However, this isn’t always a guaranteed rule. Airlines sometimes offer cheaper fares at more desirable times if you’re flexible with your dates. It’s possible that lower fares at preferred times have simply sold out.
Remember, flight prices are influenced by numerous factors beyond just the day and time, including:
- Origin and Destination: Demand for flights to and from specific locations varies, impacting prices on certain days.
- Flight Preferences: Nonstop flights, routes operating only on specific days, or business class travel can affect the cheapest days available.
- Airline Choice: Budget airlines with limited schedules may deviate from typical pricing patterns, often maintaining consistently low fares across most days.
Beyond Days and Times: More Tips for Scoring Cheap Flights
Book in Advance, Not Last Minute
Avoid booking flights within 30 days of your departure, and extend that window even further for international travel.
Airlines typically inflate last-minute fares knowing that travelers booking close to their travel date are often less price-sensitive and willing to pay higher prices to reach their destination. Don’t fall into this expensive trap!
While the cheapest days to fly (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays) remain consistent, flight prices across all days of the week tend to surge dramatically within days or weeks of the travel date.
Embrace Shoulder Seasons
Cheaper months exist too! Peak summer travel is notoriously expensive for most destinations. High demand translates directly to higher flight prices.
Typically, flight prices climb from mid-May or early June through mid-August or early September as families take summer vacations and other travelers seek warm-weather getaways. Sales and discounts become scarcer, potentially doubling or tripling typical prices. Furthermore, popular destinations become crowded with tourists.
Instead, consider traveling during the shoulder season. Traveling from May to early June and September through mid-October is often significantly cheaper. The weather remains pleasant in many regions during these periods, and you’ll avoid the peak summer crowds. Shoulder season is prime time for finding the best international flight deals!
Steer Clear of Holidays
The same principle applies to major holidays. If budget is a concern, avoid traveling during peak holiday periods like Christmas and New Year.
Each year, we witness flight prices soar for travel from mid-December to mid-January, encompassing the major winter holidays.
Shifting your travel dates to early December or later in January, even slightly, can result in substantial savings.
The Bottom Line: Fly Smarter, Not Harder
Navigating the complexities of airfare and pinpointing the cheapest flights can feel like a daunting task. However, understanding that Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are generally the most affordable days to fly simplifies the process.
Remember, higher travel demand equates to higher flight prices, whether it’s the season, month, day, or time. Begin your trip planning with this knowledge in mind before requesting time off or making other travel arrangements. By prioritizing flexibility and flying on less popular days, you’ll be well on your way to securing cheaper flights and maximizing your travel budget.
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Kyle Potter
Kyle Potter is the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, covering everything from aviation news to travel deals to in-depth guides on using airline miles. A professional journalist, he joined the company in November 2018 after five years covering state and national politics for T…
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
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