Travel Tips: The Best Time To Book Your Next Flight
When To Book Your Next Flight
The team of travel experts at CheapAir.com has released its 2022 Annual Airfare Study revealing the best time to book and schedule flights to net the most savings in the year ahead. CheapAir analyzed more than 917 million domestic airfares in more than 8,000 markets across the U.S. to reveal the days and months that travelers should target and avoid when it comes to both purchasing and boarding their flights. In addition to detailing the recommended prime booking window for 2022, CheapAir has gone a step further to announce the best time to book your flight depending on the season. Here’s a look at the most helpful insights that travelers won’t want to miss.
The Recommended Booking Window
CheapAir found that, on average, the best day to purchase a domestic flight in 2022 is 76 days prior to its scheduled departure, which is 12 days earlier compared to 2021. The recommended prime booking window when travelers will capitalize on the most savings, however, runs from 21 days to 127 days in advance or between three weeks and four months. Unsurprisingly, booking just one day out from departure is the costliest route travelers can take.
The Best and Worst Days To Fly
Flying midweek will net you the most savings. The cheapest day of the week to fly is Wednesday, when travelers can save up to $57 compared to the most expensive day, Sunday. Tuesday is a close second to Wednesday when it comes to the cheapest day to fly. The day when you book is more than likely irrelevant so long as you’re in the ideal window as CheapAir found that the average low fare only varies by about $1, no matter the day of the week that you buy an airline ticket.
The Best and Worst Months To Fly
The least expensive months to fly are January and February, netting travelers savings of approximately $100 compared to flying around the busy Christmas holiday. December and November are the two most expensive months to travel, on average. Additionally, the summer months of June and July are in close competition for the third most expensive month to travel. Those traveling during the summer will want to target August for the most savings.
When To Buy Based on the Season
CheapAir even went so far as to narrow down the best time to book your flight based on the season. Booking winter flights will require the most advanced effort to save, with travelers needing to buy about 110 days out. Meanwhile, spring and fall are quite comparable at 76 and 77 days, respectively. Finally, summer provides travelers with the most flexibility with an ideal booking date of 42 days out from departure.