The quest for the optimal day to purchase airfare has long been a topic of debate among travelers. Traditionally, it was believed that booking flights on Tuesdays offered the best chance to snag a deal, but recent insights from major travel platforms suggest otherwise in today’s market landscape.
Airfare costs have notably risen, with flights from major U.S. airports averaging 29% higher this year compared to 2021. In light of these changes, USA TODAY consulted Expedia, Hopper, and Google Flights to uncover the current trends in flight booking strategies.
What is the best day to book flights?
Contrary to popular belief, the potential savings from booking flights on specific weekdays are minimal, if existent at all, according to Hopper and Google Flights. Recent analyses indicate that flights booked on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays have only been approximately 1.9% cheaper than those booked over weekends for the past six years. A spokesperson from Google Flights confirmed this trend as of June 2024.
Hayley Berg, Hopper’s lead economist, emphasized that while Tuesday may occasionally offer lower prices, the best booking day varies based on numerous factors. Expedia, in its 2024 Air Travel Hacks report, surprisingly suggested that booking on Sundays could yield savings, with travelers reportedly saving an average of 13% compared to booking on Fridays, historically the most expensive day.
Additional Factors Impacting Airfare Prices
Both Expedia and Hopper underscored that factors beyond the day of booking significantly influence airfare costs. Monitoring prices using tools like Hopper or Capital One Travel was recommended, with Berg advising booking domestic flights one to three months before departure and international flights four to five months ahead to secure favorable rates.
Tips to Save Money on Airfare
Expedia’s findings also highlighted that booking domestic flights 28 days in advance could save travelers up to 24% compared to last-minute bookings. Moreover, the day of the week you choose to fly out can impact savings significantly; for instance, flying mid-week instead of on weekends could save travelers an average of 18% on domestic summer airfare, as noted by Hopper. For international travel, choosing Tuesday or Wednesday departures could potentially save up to $435 per ticket when flying to Europe this summer, according to Hopper’s data.
Google Flights supported these findings, reporting that flights departing on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday were generally 12% cheaper than those departing on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
In conclusion, while the myth of Tuesday being the ultimate day to book flights persists, current data suggests that flexibility and early planning are key to securing the best airfare deals. Keeping an eye on fluctuating prices and considering departure days can ultimately lead to substantial savings in today’s competitive air travel market.
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