
Best Day to Book Flights | July 7, 2024
Are Tuesdays still the best day to book flights?
It’s a common question among travelers: What is the best day of the week to buy airfare?
Traditionally, it’s been said that prices surge on weekends and that Tuesday is the best day to book flights. But how true is this today?
With airfare prices rising – flights from major U.S. airports cost 29% more on average this year compared to 2021 – finding the answer could result in significant savings.
What is the best day to book flights?
According to Hopper and Google Flights, choosing a specific day of the week to buy airfare doesn’t make much of a difference, as the savings are only marginal, if any.
An analysis of flight costs initially published in 2022 found that airfare purchased on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays has been only 1.9% cheaper than those bought on weekends over the past six years.
Hopper tested this theory and found that Tuesday was the cheapest day to book flights only 1% of the time. While the best price might sometimes be available on a Tuesday, it could just as easily be available on another day of the week.
Contrary to popular belief, Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks report, published in September 2023, suggests that the best day to book flights is actually on the weekend, particularly Sunday.
According to Expedia travel expert Christie Hudson, travelers saved an average of 13% by booking on Sundays compared to Fridays, which is the most expensive day. These findings are based on extensive data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation and OAG, a global travel data platform.
While avoiding Friday and waiting until Sunday can help, other factors play a much more significant role in securing the best airfare deals.
Tips to save money on airfare
It's recommended to monitor flight prices with tools like Hopper or Kayak, and to book domestic flights between one and three months before departure and international flights between four and five months in advance. Booking too late can result in prices increasing by hundreds of dollars in the final weeks before departure.
Expedia's report indicates that travelers who purchase their domestic flight 28 days in advance pay 24% less on average than those who book last-minute.
Instead of focusing on the day you book, the day you fly out has a greater impact on costs. Flying in the middle of the week instead of the weekend can save travelers an average of 18% on domestic summer airfare. For international trips, the savings are even greater. Flying to Europe on a Tuesday or Wednesday can save $435 per ticket.
Google Flights supports this, finding that flights on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday are on average 12% cheaper than those on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
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