Condé Nast Traveller


Every self-respecting jetsetter has an opinion about the best day to book flights. But is there a best time to book a flight that everybody can agree on? Some of us bide our time (to various levels of success) and book super-last-minute earlier than a semi-spontaneous escape, whereas others change to incognito at 2am on Tuesday mornings seeking the best deals. With a overwhelming majority of flights now bought on-line quite than by way of journey brokers, it may be exhausting to know after we’re getting bang for our buck. Here, we’ve rounded up the whole lot we all know, and had the journey specialists chip in to deliver you the whole lot you want to know to make an knowledgeable determination forward of your subsequent journey.

When is the best time to book a flight?

In brief, there isn’t one. Despite the rumours, fluctuating costs on-line and constantly-changing algorithms imply that it’s just about not possible to pin down a selected day and time for getting the best value.

Nicky Kelvin, Head of the Points Guy UK says, “Low-cost airlines will generally sell their cheapest seats first, so getting in early will secure you the best deals, as they are likely to be the lowest prices you will see. Other airlines’ prices can fluctuate greatly throughout the year and it’s always good to wait for big sales, which come around every few months.”

What’s the best day to book flights?

Everyone is aware of somebody with an opinion on the best day to book flights, however the reality is that there’s no hard-and-fast rule. “When it comes to booking your flight, there is no best day of the week to book; however, the most important thing we can take from this is that a traveller should always remember to be flexible,” Nicky says. “Being flexible with the destination and the days you choose to travel rather than the days you choose to book holidays is the best way to find the best deal.”

However, there are theories. A 2024 launch from tour operator Ski Vertigo turned to a pilot, who shared his insights relating to the best day to book a flight. According to Ski Vertigo’s supply, Sunday is a perfect time for securing decrease flight costs – each for UK and worldwide travellers.

The notion that Sunday is the best day to safe low cost flights stemmed from varied components. Firstly, enterprise travellers sometimes book flights on weekdays; Monday mornings and Friday afternoons particularly, when the ‘life admin’ comes both aspect of busy midweek duties. Also, airways have a tendency to revise their costs over the weekend primarily based on the reserving developments they observe throughout the week – by Sunday night, airways are eager to modify fares in the hope of filling remaining seats for the coming week. This means it’d pay not simply to book on Sunday evenings, but in addition to book flights last-minute.

Aerial view of The Maldive Islands

Aerial view of The Maldive IslandsGetty Images 

Should I wait till the final minute to book my flight?

This is one other key query posed by jetsetters searching for nice deals – and once more, there’s no official reply.



Sources