Airline pricing has evolved, and the “rules” your friend or uncle swears by aren’t holding up.
Kalshi traders think there’s a chance travelers could top 2.7 million this week. At least some of those travelers had a tougher time booking their flights than they planned.
We dug through the latest 2025 travel data and industry reports to pin down exactly when to book, when to fly, and how far in advance to plan if you want to beat the system—and save some serious cash.
Book on Sunday, Not Tuesday
Sunday is now the cheapest day to book flights. Domestic fares booked on Sundays are around 6% lower than average, and international tickets are up to 17% cheaper. That old Tuesday trick? It doesn’t hold up anymore. Airlines change fares constantly—there’s no magic hour.
Fly Midweek or Saturday
For domestic travel, aim to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays. These days consistently offer the lowest fares—sometimes 15–20% cheaper than Sunday or Monday. Internationally, Wednesdays and Thursdays tend to be the sweet spot.
Book 1–3 Months Ahead (Domestic)
Best-case scenario for U.S. flights: book 30 to 90 days in advance. You’ll get significantly better prices than waiting until the last minute, but you won’t be planning so far ahead that you miss out on price drops.
Book About a Month Out (International)
The data’s flipped from what it used to be. For many international trips, the lowest fares are often found just 18 to 29 days before departure. Some experts still suggest booking 2–5 months ahead for long-hauls, but a ~4-week window is the new standard for deals.
Avoid the Busy Clock
Early morning or red-eye flights—think 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. or after 10 p.m.—are almost always cheaper than mid-day departures. Fewer people want them. Airlines know it.
Tools Are Your Friend
Use price alerts from Google Flights, Hopper, or Expedia. Let the algorithm stress about timing while you stay flexible. If you’re tracking a route, you’ll know instantly when the price dips—and you can pounce.
Airfare Is Chaos. Embrace It
There’s no guaranteed best day, just smarter patterns. Sunday’s your safest bet to book. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the days to fly. Book early, but not too early. Stay flexible, stay alert, and treat airfare like the moving target it is.
