Best Days and Time to Book the Cheapest Flights

Finding the best deals on flights can make a significant difference in your travel budget and overall experience. Airfare prices fluctuate due to numerous factors but knowing the best days to book flights can help you save money while avoiding unnecessary stress. The following article offers expert insights into the most cost-effective booking practices and what the best time to book flights is according to industry trends.
What Is the Best Day of the Week to Book Flights?
International Flights
Some studies show that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days to book flights. Airlines frequently release deals at the beginning of the week. This creates competition among carriers and drives down prices, making it the best time to book international flights. Booking your flight midweek can potentially save you hundreds of euros or pounds compared to waiting until the weekend.Domestic Flights
Tuesday at midnight is considered one of the best times to secure affordable fares for domestic flights. Airlines often load new inventory overnight. By checking in the early hours, you may snag a deal before it’s widely available.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Airlines
Budget airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet typically offer the lowest prices for both international and domestic routes. However, premium airlines like British Airways or Lufthansa may occasionally offer competitive rates during flash sales or off-peak seasons.
Airlines Which Drop Their Prices the Most
Airlines like Norwegian and Turkish Airlines are known to drop their prices significantly for certain destinations during promotional periods. Staying subscribed to airline newsletters or fare-tracking services can keep you updated about these deals.
What Is the Best Time to Book a Flight?
Best months to book a flight
Travel experts often suggest that the best time to book flights is 2-3 months in advance for domestic trips and 5-6 months in advance for international travel. January and February are particularly great months to find cheaper flights, as many airlines launch New Year sales during this time.
Expert Tip: Our experts advise to look for fares immediately after holiday periods when demand typically drops and you’re less likely to experience flight disruptions. Consider booking flights on days when major airlines announce fare discounts, such as the first week of January.
Best seasons to book a flight
The best days to book flights are often during the off-peak seasons. Travelling outside of high-demand periods like summer holidays or Christmas can help you avoid inflated prices. Winter (excluding the Christmas season) often has the best deals for destinations in Europe.
Worst Day to Book Flights
Avoid Booking Close to Major Events
Fridays and Sundays are among the worst days to book flights. These often are the peak travel days when demand is highest. Prices surge due to weekend getaways and business travellers.
Similarly, avoid booking close to major events such as holidays, sports finals, or music festivals. High-volume events often lead to price spikes and limited availability.
Weather Risks
Avoid booking flights near storm seasons. Tropical storms, heavy snow, and bad weather overall often disrupt flight schedules and airport operations. Our flight experts find that flights during these times are more likely to face disruptions, leading to potential additional costs.
Expert Tip: Use weather forecast tools to check for storm warnings or potential disruptions in your travel region as cancelled or delayed flights due to bad weather are often not compensated by the airline. You should also avoid peak hurricane season when booking flights to tropical destinations.
Operational Risks
Periods of airline or airport staff strikes can wreak havoc on travel plans. Check for any news about potential labour disputes in your departure or arrival locations when booking flights.
Expert Tip: Monitor travel advisories and airline announcements. Consider booking flexible tickets during periods of uncertainty to minimize risks of delayed or cancelled flights.
Early vs Late Flights
When it comes to choosing the time of day for your flight, early morning departures are often the most advantageous. Morning flights are typically less affected by cascading delays from earlier flights. Our flight experts highlight that early flights also minimize the risk of missed connections.
Benefits of Booking Early Flights
- Lower Risk of Delays: Fewer disruptions from prior flights.
- Smoother Check-In: Airports are less crowded early in the morning.
- Cost Savings: Early flights can sometimes be cheaper due to lower demand.
Downsides of Late Flights
Late departures, particularly those departing after 8 PM, are more prone to delays caused by bad weather, air traffic, or earlier operational issues. Additionally, late-night disruptions can leave you stranded and seeking flight cancellation compensation.
Expert Tip: Flights departing between 6 AM and 8 AM are statistically less likely to face delays or cancellations. If disruptions do occur, there are more alternative flights available later in the day.
Tips for Booking the Cheapest Flights
1. Use Credit Card Points
Leverage credit card rewards programs to offset travel costs. Many travel-focused credit cards offer points or miles for every euro or pound spent, which can be redeemed for free flights or upgrades. Pairing this with strategic booking can save you a substantial amount.
2. Redeem Airline Miles
Frequent flyers should take advantage of airline loyalty programs to book cheaper flights. Services like Lufthansa’s Miles & More or British Airways Executive Club allow travellers to use accumulated miles for discounts, making even premium fares more affordable.
3. Avoiding Unreliable Airlines
Opt for airlines with a strong reputation for punctuality and transparency. Airlines that have poor flight delay statistics or unclear policies can lead to higher travel risks and unexpected costs. SkyRefund emphasizes that choosing reliable carriers reduces the chances of cancellations or lengthy delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best day to book flights?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are widely regarded as the best days to book flights.
When is the best time to book flights?
Book 2-3 months in advance for domestic flights and 5-6 months for international trips.
Are last-minute flights ever cheap?
Yes, midweek often is the best time to book flights last minute. Airlines often adjust fares to fill empty seats.
What are the cheapest days to fly?
Midweek days like Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday often have the lowest fares.
Can I still get compensation if my flight is cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances?
No, but SkyRefund can assist you in determining whether your case qualifies under other conditions, specified in EU Regulation 261.
What to Do If Disruptions Happen Despite Your Best Efforts
Knowing the best days and times to book flights can significantly reduce your travel costs while minimizing potential disruptions. But even with careful planning, flight disruptions can occur and these will be the moments that demand professional assistance. Here’s what you should do:
- If your flight is delayed or cancelled, visit SkyRefund to check your compensation eligibility.
- Enter your flight details on our website.
- Upload any required documents.
- Let our expert team handle the rest while you focus on other travel plans.