Expert Guide: When is the Best Time to Book Your Flight

Over 9.8 billion people are expected to travel by air by the end of 2025, and demand shows no signs of slowing down. But even as more passengers take to the skies, many travelers remain unsure about when exactly to shop for flights to get the best deals. We asked the experts for their top tips.

Destination & Topic

This is a general travel tips guide useful for any destination worldwide. Written by a Japan-based travel writer, with advice applicable to both domestic and international travel.

Key Expert Recommendations

According to Skyscanner (Global Travel Search Aggregator)

"Booking as early as you can is recommended to help you to find a good deal. Airfares are tied to supply and demand, so prices are almost always cheaper when there are more seats available. As seats fill up, prices generally rise."
— Martin Nolan, Skyscanner global travel expert

Best practice:

• Flights are typically released 10 to 12 months before departure – start searching then
• If demand is lower than expected, prices may drop closer to departure as airlines adjust capacity
• Sign up for airline email alerts and follow their social media to be notified when new routes go on sale
• Last-minute flash sales can happen, but don't count on them if you have fixed travel dates

The Expedia 2025 Air Hacks Report Findings

Expedia analyzed billions of data points and found that the traditional wisdom about Tuesday being the cheapest day to book is completely wrong. Instead:

• Best day to book: Sunday – Travelers can save 6% on domestic journeys and 17% on international compared to booking on Monday or Friday (the most expensive days)
• Domestic flights: Best booking window is 34 to 86 days in advance – average savings of 25% vs last-minute bookings
• International flights: Best booking window is 18 to 29 days in advance for average savings of 17% compared to booking three months or more ahead
• Premium cabins: Best time to book premium tickets (first/business class) is 10 to 17 days ahead – even booking 90 days out can still save up to 10% compared to the most expensive timing (160+ days out)
• Premium seat prices have been falling relative to economy: the price gap between premium and economy is down 10% compared to 2019, so upgrading is more affordable than ever

According to OAG Senior Analyst John Grant

"Book five months to six weeks before travel. By this point, the airlines have a good idea about how demand is building and will stimulate more booking activity with price adjustments."

Booking Windows by Trip Length

Based on historic patterns, Skyscanner recommends:

• Short-haul flights (< 3 hours): Book 1 to 3 months ahead
• Long-haul flights (> 6 hours): Book 2 to 6 months ahead

Factors That Affect Pricing

1. Destination popularity: High-demand destinations will sell out and price increases earlier than off-the-beaten-path places
2. Your travel date flexibility: More flexibility means more chances to snag a better price
3. Preferred cabin class: First and business class demand has been rising, so book early if you want a premium seat
4. Direct vs connecting flights: Direct flights are always more popular, so book earlier if you want non-stop
5. Holiday periods: Peak travel during Christmas, New Year, and other major holidays sees the highest demand – book as early as possible to secure the flights you want at reasonable prices

The Rise of Flexible Working

The growth of hybrid and remote working has changed booking patterns: departures are more spread out across the week, reducing demand spikes on specific days. This means:

• Less price compression on traditional peak travel days
• More opportunities to find cheaper fares by traveling outside of traditional busy periods
• Always check if traveling a day earlier or later can yield significant savings

Final Summary of Expert Advice

Key Takeaway

The best strategy depends on your destination, how flexible you are, and what class you fly. The most important thing: start searching early, sign up for price alerts, and be ready to book when you see a fare that fits your budget – don't wait for a mythical "perfect day" that might never come.

"Ultimately, if you've found a price that fits your budget for the flight you want, book it. Waiting for a better deal that never materialize is the most common mistake travelers make."

Original article from Lonely Planet, compiled and structured for Tourants Travel Guides.