When Is the Best Time to Book a Flight? Forget What You've Heard

Searching for flights can feel like roulette—one day you get a great price, the next day it's gone, and suddenly you're wondering if you should have booked immediately or waited for something better. The good news? Flight booking doesn't have to be a guessing game. With the right knowledge about how pricing works and when to make your move, you can consistently find great deals without the stress.

In this guide, we want to dispel the myths and hype to give you data-driven strategies that actually work, based on real deal data from Going's extensive flight monitoring. Whether you're planning a quick domestic trip or a bucket-list international adventure, timing your booking correctly can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

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Key takeaways

When to book flights depends on destination type, travel dates, and flexibility. But generally speaking, the "Goldilocks Window" is 1–3 months ahead of departure for domestic flights and 2–8 months ahead for international flights. While reports suggest January, February, and August are popular months for booking deals, fantastic airfare deals pop up year-round and don't care much about what day or time it is.

Flight-booking timing with real data

• Domestic flights: Book 1–3 months in advance (3–5 months for peak seasons like summer and winter holidays)
• Europe: Book 2–8 months ahead (4–10 months ahead for peak seasons like summer, Christmas markets, St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, and Oktoberfest in Germany)
• Asia: Book 2–8 months ahead (4–10 months ahead for peak seasons like summer, cherry blossom season, and Lunar New Year)
• Africa: Book 2–8 months ahead (4–10 months ahead for peak seasons like summer and safari season from June–October)
• Central/South America: Book 2–8 months ahead (4–10 months ahead for peak seasons like summer and Carnival, particularly in Rio de Janeiro)

Booking myths completely debunked

• "Tuesday is cheapest to book": Airlines update prices continuously, not on specific days
• "August 23rd is National Cheap Flight Day, the cheapest day to buy flights": Pure marketing gimmick. Some of our best deals include $114 to Ireland sent on May 14, 2024, and $426 to Tokyo sent on November 19, 2024
• "Book at midnight for deals": Time of day has zero impact on flight prices
• "Clear cookies/use incognito": Airlines don't track individual users for price manipulation
• "Last-minute deals are common": Modern revenue management means airlines raise prices as departure approaches

Smart booking strategies that actually work

• The Goldilocks Window: Sweet spot between premium early pricing and limited late availability
• Price monitoring: Going's alerts catch deals like $63 flights to Chile and $202 to Japan
• Date flexibility: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday international departures can save 10–20%
• Know normal price ranges: Recognize genuine deals when they appear

How does flight pricing work?

How airlines set prices in the modern era

If you've been searching for cheap flights on your own, you might think airlines set prices randomly. But they actually use dynamic pricing strategies that factor in multiple variables like demand, competition, fare classes, and operational costs to maximize revenue while filling seats efficiently.

Here’s the deal: Every flight has multiple fare classes, even within the same cabin. These classes determine ticket flexibility, seat selection, baggage allowances, and other perks. Lower-priced fare classes are limited in number and sell out quickly, pushing travelers into higher-priced options. Beyond that, airlines segment passengers based on their willingness to pay, adjusting prices accordingly. Airlines also use sophisticated pricing systems that analyze booking trends, competitor prices, fuel costs, and more. 

Key factors that influence flight prices

Seasonal trends are another significant factor that influences airfare prices. Understanding the difference between high, low, and shoulder seasons can help you anticipate pricing trends and snag a better deal. High season occurs when travel demand peaks, usually coinciding with holidays, summer vacations, or major festivals.

The shoulder season falls between high and low seasons and offers a sweet spot for many travelers. During this time, destinations are less crowded, and airfare costs are lower than peak season. For example, spring (March–May) or fall (September–November) in Europe, when the weather is pleasant but tourist numbers have tapered off.

High-demand routes, like New York to London, often command higher prices, especially during peak seasons. Conversely, flights to less popular destinations are priced lower to attract travelers. Routes with several competing carriers also see lower fares due to competitive pressure, while routes dominated by single airlines maintain higher prices.

Why timing matters more than specific days

The old "Tuesday at 3pm" booking advice is completely outdated. Modern airline systems don't release inventory on specific days or times. Instead, they adjust continuously based on sophisticated algorithms that analyze demand, competitor pricing, and market conditions in real-time.

What does matter is booking within the optimal window where you balance price optimization with seat availability. Book too early, and you pay premium prices for advance planning convenience. Book too late, and you're competing for limited remaining seats at whatever price the airline chooses to set.

Flight booking myths debunked

"Tuesday is the cheapest day to book flights"

This myth has been circulating for years, and it did hold some truth in the past. Airlines once released new fares at specific times weekly, often on Tuesdays. However, today's pricing strategies are far more dynamic. Airlines use complex algorithms to adjust prices continuously—often multiple times per day—based on demand, competition, and numerous other factors.

"August 23rd is National Cheap Flight Day, the cheapest day to buy flights"

August 23 has been named "National Cheap Flight Day," touting it as the single cheapest day of the year to book flights. This idea, popularized by reports from travel sites, stems from analyzing limited historical price data. However, "magic dates" like August 23 often vary between sources because different companies pull data from varying airlines, routes, and timeframes.

True cheap flight opportunities happen unpredictably when airlines need to fill empty seats, compete with new routes, or respond to external factors. These deals can happen any day of the year and are better caught through professional flight alerts than waiting for arbitrary calendar dates.

"Booking flights late at night gets you cheaper deals"

This myth originated when airlines manually updated prices at dawn, so night owls booking in early hours sometimes got slightly cheaper fares. Sadly, that's not the case anymore. Time of day has no significant impact on flight prices. Airlines update their prices continuously based on market conditions, not your shopping schedule.

"Use incognito mode or delete cookies for better prices"

Contrary to the common myth, airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) do not manipulate flight prices based on your browsing history, cookies, or past searches. This persistent myth suggests airlines raise prices if you visit repeatedly, but in reality, their pricing systems are far too complex for individual user manipulation.

So why does the price change when you switch to incognito mode or delete cookies? These slight price fluctuations are typically due to changes in demand or fare adjustments, not your browser settings. 

"Always trust fare predictions 100%"

Fare predictions can offer valuable insights into potential price trends, but it's important to approach them with caution. While these predictions are based on historical data and trends, they cannot guarantee exact changes a flight fare will undergo. Use predictions as one factor in decision-making, not as gospel truth.

The golden rules of flight-booking timing

The Goldilocks Window explained

The Goldilocks Window is the timeframe that's "just right" for booking: not too early when airlines charge premium prices for advance planning convenience, and not too late when availability is limited and prices spike. 

For domestic US flights, the Goldilocks Window is typically 1–3 months before departure. For international flights, it's usually 2–8 months ahead, varying significantly by destination and season. These windows represent the statistical sweet spot where prices are typically lowest and seat availability is still reasonable.

When to book earlier than the Goldilocks Window

Book earlier for high-demand travel periods like Christmas, Thanksgiving, summer vacation weeks, or major events like the Olympics or World Cup. These periods see both higher prices and limited availability, making earlier booking essential for reasonable fares and preferred flight times.

International travel to popular destinations during peak season often requires booking 4–10 months ahead, while domestic travel requires about 3–5 months. Routes with limited airline competition also benefit from earlier booking since you have fewer alternatives if prices rise or seats sell out.

If you have absolutely no flexibility in dates, destinations, or flight times, book when you know your plans (while minding the Goldilocks Window) to ensure availability.

Last-minute booking reality check

The era of amazing last-minute flight deals is largely over. Last-minute deals are now rarer than in the past, as airlines know they can hike prices for business and first-class tickets. 

Airlines sometimes offer last-minute deals to fill unsold seats, especially for midweek departures or less popular routes, but these deals are rare and relying on them can be risky. Prices typically rise significantly three weeks before departure, making early booking more favorable.

Best days to fly (not book) for savings

A recent study suggests that midweek days like Tuesday and Wednesday are the best to fly (Saturdays are also good). This is primarily due to lower demand compared to popular flying days like Sunday, Mondays, and Fridays, which cater to business travelers and weekend vacationers. 

Tuesday and Wednesday flights are typically 10–20% cheaper than Friday, Sunday, and Monday departures, particularly for international travel. Saturday departures can also save money because business travelers avoid weekends, leaving more leisure-oriented pricing. Of course, this doesn't mean you can't find exceptionally good deals on any day of the week. 

The time of day that you fly impacts flight price, too, though it's not a one-size fits all approach. On some routes you may find that flying an early-morning or red-eye flight gets you a lower fare, but on peak business travel days (Monday, Thursday, Friday), you might find that those early flights skew higher. The best approach: Keep an open mind when booking flights if price is important to you, as shifting your travel time by a few hours in one direction or the other can lead to big savings.

Price monitoring for the win

Instead of spending hours refreshing flight comparison sites, set up price alerts to stay informed when fares drop. Going’s flight experts monitor thousands of routes and send you the deals that matter to you, including rare mistake fares for Premium and Elite members. Set alerts for multiple date ranges and nearby airports to maximize your chances of finding great deals within your travel timeframe.

Best booking times by destination

Domestic US flights

Domestic flights experience seasonal price fluctuations based on holiday demand and peak seasons. Generally, spring and fall months offer more affordable fares as many schools are in session and fewer people travel. For domestic travel, aim for 1–3 months ahead of travel, while peak seasons require 3–5 months.

Flights to popular beach destinations like Florida and California tend to be more expensive during summer vacation rush. Similarly, the holiday season (November–December) sees a surge in flight prices, particularly for big cities like New York and Los Angeles. However, great fares pop up throughout the rest of the year regardless of these seasonal patterns.

International destinations by region

Europe

Book European flights 4–10 months in advance for summer travel, winter holidays, and other peak seasons (e.g. St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, Oktoberfest in Germany), 1–3 months the rest of the year. Peak summer travel (June–August) to popular destinations like London, Paris, Rome, Prague, and Amsterdam benefits from booking by March or April, at the absolute latest, to secure reasonable prices.

Winter is a great time to visit cities like Prague and Budapest for cheap flights, particularly where holiday markets are popular but prices tend to be lower. Ski destinations in the Alps see tourist influxes, leading to higher prices for these locations.

Travel during April, May, September, and October are ideal for budget-conscious travelers because you can enjoy pleasant weather, avoid summer crowds, and find lower-priced flights to major European cities.

Asia

Asian destinations typically require 2–8 months advance booking (4–10 months in advance for peak seasons like cherry blossom season and Lunar New Year). Popular destinations like Japan, Thailand, China, and India see significant price increases within two months of departure.

Flight prices to China and other East Asian destinations can soar during Lunar New Year when many people travel home for family gatherings. For countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, monsoon season sees lower prices, though weather conditions can be unpredictable.

Central and South America

Book 2–8 months ahead for most Central and South American destinations. Winter and early spring (December–April) align with the dry season in many countries, and beach destinations see increased demand during this period.

Cities like Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, experience tourist influxes during the world-famous Carnival (February), so booking early is essential if visiting during this time. Hurricane seasons in Caribbean and Central American regions can create pricing volatility, with deals followed by sudden price increases as weather patterns become clearer.

Africa

African travel typically requires 2–8 months advance booking. June to October is peak safari season in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, and fares to these countries can be expensive during this period, so a longer lead time of 4–10 months is advised.

If you're looking for budget-friendly flights, consider traveling just before or after peak season to destinations like Mauritius during Diwali (October–November) or South Africa during Carnival season (February–March).

Oceania

Australia and New Zealand require 2–8 months advance booking, with longer windows during their peak seasons (June–August, which coincide with US summer, and October–March, which coincide with warmer weather in the southern hemisphere and winter holidays). The limited number of airlines serving these routes means less competition and more price stability.

The shoulder seasons (April–June and September–November) offer more affordable fares as weather is still pleasant but tourism demand has dropped. While winter months offer quieter periods and cheaper flights, colder temperatures may make them unsuitable for beach destinations or outdoor adventures.

Holiday and event booking strategy

Major US holidays

Thanksgiving is one of the most challenging holidays for flight booking, particularly around the US. To avoid the holiday rush and find affordable flights, it's best to book by August at the latest. The Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving are the most expensive and crowded travel days. If you're looking to save money, flying on Thanksgiving Day itself is usually cheaper than one or two days before.

Christmas and New Year travel also requires early preparations. To secure the best prices for Christmas flights, aim to book 4–10 months in advance. Consider alternative dates like Christmas Eve or New Year's Day for better pricing, and avoid the peak holiday week (December 20–26) when prices reach their highest.

Summer holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day) see price spikes, but they’re not as dramatic as Thanksgiving and Christmas periods.

Global festivals and events

Major cultural events create massive demand surges requiring 4–10 months advance booking. Prices can be 2–3 times normal levels during these periods, so early planning is essential for reasonable fares.

For Lunar New Year in China, book 4–10 months in advance, particularly for big cities like Beijing or Shanghai. The two weeks before and after typically see spikes in demand and higher fares as millions travel for family gatherings.

Rio de Janeiro Carnival similarly requires 4–10 months advance booking due to its worldwide popularity drawing millions of visitors each year. Flying before Carnival kicks off, especially early in the month, helps avoid price hikes associated with the festival.

Día de Muertos in Mexico attracts tourists to Oaxaca and Mexico City in early November. To find the best deals for this holiday, book 4–10 months in advance and be flexible with arrival and departure dates for better prices.

Sport and cultural events

Major sporting events, festivals, and cultural celebrations also affect both flight and accommodation pricing. Oktoberfest in Munich requires 4–10 months advance booking to secure reasonable fares. Similarly, aurora borealis viewings in Nordic countries, Alaska, and Iceland, require booking 4-10 months in advance. 

If you want to experience the Cherry Blossom Festival season, book your flights 4–10 months in advance for Japan destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto, or 3–5 months ahead for Washington, DC. Mardi Gras in New Orleans requires booking 3–5 months in advance to find affordable flights, as prices increase especially in the week leading up to Fat Tuesday.

Smart booking strategies and tools

Essential booking tools comparison

Flight comparison tools like Google Flights, Kayak, and Skyscanner are key for manual research, offering price alerts and historical data to help you make informed decisions. Google Flights is particularly great for exploring broad date ranges and using the "Explore" feature to find cheap destinations worldwide.

Going is the ultimate tool for finding cheap flights effortlessly. We do the heavy lifting for you, monitoring thousands of routes 24/7 for genuinely good deals and sending customizable alerts for your preferred destinations. It’s simple—we track prices and notify you when the best deals appear, including rare mistake fares for Premium and Elite members.

Be aware of trends

Fuel price fluctuations, economic conditions, and airline stability all influence flight pricing over longer periods. While you can't control these factors, understanding them helps set realistic price expectations and timing strategies.

For example, new route launches often feature promotional pricing for the first few months as airlines build market share. Airport construction or closures can also affect pricing on affected routes, creating opportunities or challenges depending on your flexibility.

Seasonal demand patterns tend to stay consistent year over year, so you can use them as a guide, unless they are disrupted by major external events like pandemics or economic shifts.

Miles, points, and loyalty optimization

Frequent flyer programs can provide significant value for regular travelers, but don't let loyalty override good deal-finding. Sometimes paying cash for a great deal makes more sense than using miles for poor redemption value.

A smart way to use your points is by transferring them from your credit card to your airline partners rather than redeeming for cash back to get better value from them. Using loyalty programs for premium cabins or long-haul flights is also a good alternative, as cash prices for these tickets are usually much higher than points or miles needed.

Date flexibility benefits

Flexibility is key when it comes to booking affordable flights. Being open to traveling mid-week, at unconventional times like red-eye flights, or choosing less popular destinations during off-season can dramatically lower costs.

If you can shift your departure or return dates by even 1–3 days, you can save hundreds on international flights. Multi-city flights sometimes cost less than simple roundtrip tickets, especially when visiting multiple European cities with good ground transportation or low-cost airline connections. Similarly, open-jaw tickets (flying into one city, departing from another) can save you money—plus, you get more interesting itinerary options to explore the region.

Destination flexibility strategies

If your goal is "somewhere warm in February" rather than "specifically Miami," you have much better chances of finding great deals. Using Going, you can get alerts for destinations you may never considered, for 40–90% off the regular price. 

Consider nearby airports. Checking flights departing from or arriving at nearby airports often uncovers better deals, especially when secondary airports are served by budget carriers offering lower prices than major hubs dominated by legacy airlines.