Best Time To Buy Summer Travel Airline Tickets

Summer is one of the most popular times of the year to travel, so it can be tricky to find a good deal on airfare. The best time to book summer flights is at least six months in advance, and the best days to fly are midweek – particularly on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

According to experts, the best time to book a domestic flight is between one and three months before departure, and the best time to book an international flight is two to eight months before departure.

It's a good idea to track flight prices on Google Flights or Hopper as early as possible, so you can keep an eye on cost fluctuations.

Domestic vs. international flights

When it comes to booking flights, there are a few key differences between domestic and international travel. While there's no exact science to finding the best deals, here are some guidelines and strategies to help you navigate the process:

Booking Window:

• Domestic Flights: For travel within your country, the best time to book is typically about one to three months before your trip. This is considered the "sweet spot" for getting lower prices.
• International Flights: For flights abroad, it's recommended to book even earlier. The ideal booking window is often two to eight months before your trip. For popular destinations or peak travel seasons, consider booking three to seven months in advance for domestic and four to ten months in advance for international travel.

Price Fluctuations:

• Domestic Flights: Pricing for domestic flights tends to be elevated when tickets are first released, about a year before the flight. Prices gradually decrease until they reach their lowest point in the prime booking window. After that, prices can surge for last-minute bookings.
• International Flights: International flight prices also fluctuate, and it's best to avoid booking too early or too late. While you want to book in advance, booking too far out might result in higher prices.

Tracking and Alerts:

Domestic and International Flights: To find the best deals, it's essential to track flight prices early and often. Use tools like Google Flights, Hopper, Skyscanner, or Kayak to monitor price fluctuations and set up price alerts. These tools can notify you when prices drop or when it's an ideal time to book.

Peak Travel Seasons:

Domestic and International Flights: Summer and holiday seasons are considered peak travel periods. Avoid booking during these times if possible, as prices tend to surge. If you must travel during peak seasons, book as early as possible to secure better rates.

Days of the Week:

• Domestic Flights: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to fly domestically.
• International Flights: For international travel, midweek days (Monday to Wednesday) are generally the most affordable for departures, while returns are cheaper from Tuesday to Thursday.

Flexibility:

Domestic and International Flights: Flexibility is key to finding the best deals. If you can be flexible with your travel dates, departure and return days, and even your destination, you're more likely to score lower prices.

Rebooking and Credits:

Domestic and International Flights: Keep an eye on price drops even after booking. Many airlines have adopted flexible change and cancellation policies. If you find a lower price, you may be able to rebook and get a refund, travel credit, or voucher for the difference.

Peak travel periods

Summer is one of the most popular times of the year to travel, and as a result, it can be challenging to find good deals on airfare. The best time to book flights for summer travel is as soon as possible, preferably at least six months in advance.

For peak summer travel, it is recommended to book flights three to seven months ahead for domestic flights and four to ten months ahead for international flights. These months are considered the "Goldilocks windows," where prices are not too high or too low.

If you are planning to travel during a popular event, such as Mardi Gras or a big music festival, it is advisable to book even earlier. For domestic travel, aim for three to seven months in advance, and for international travel, book four to ten months ahead.

The key to finding good deals on summer airfare is to book early and be flexible with your travel dates. Prices tend to increase as the summer months approach, so booking sooner rather than later is generally recommended.

Additionally, consider using tools like Google Flights or travel apps like Hopper to track flight prices and set alerts. These tools can help you identify the best times to book and notify you when prices drop.

It is worth noting that while booking in advance can save you money, there may still be last-minute deals available. However, these deals are not as common, and prices usually increase as the departure date gets closer.

In summary, to get the best deals on airfare during peak summer travel periods, book your flights as early as possible, utilize price-tracking tools, and be flexible with your travel dates to take advantage of any last-minute deals that may arise.

Tracking tools

There are several tracking tools available to help you find the best deals on airline tickets for summer travel. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Google Flights: Google Flights allows you to track prices for specific flights or routes. You can set up alerts to receive notifications when prices change, and it also provides a graph to compare prices for similar time windows. Google Flights also has a feature called “Explore” that lets you search for the lowest fares across the world within a given time frame.
• Kayak: Kayak is another flight search engine that offers a price-tracking tool. You can set alerts to monitor price changes on specific routes or dates.
• Hopper: Hopper is an app that predicts the best time to book flights for your desired trip. It has a "Watch This Trip" feature that allows you to track price changes and receive notifications. Hopper also provides insights into historical price trends and recommends booking domestic flights around 28 days before departure and international flights around 60 days in advance.
• Skyscanner: Skyscanner is a flight-tracking and booking tool that provides insights into airfare pricing. While it doesn't have a price alert feature, it offers valuable information on historical price trends to help you make informed decisions.
• Airline websites: It's always a good idea to check the websites of the airlines you prefer. They often offer deals and discounts exclusively available through their websites. Additionally, they may provide loyalty programs or memberships that grant access to special promotions.
• Alternative tools: Other tools like Capital One Travel, Momondo, and KAYAK also offer price-tracking features. These tools can help you monitor specific routes and dates, so you're notified when prices change.

By utilising these tracking tools and staying flexible with your travel plans, you can increase your chances of finding great deals on airline tickets for summer travel.

Booking windows

Domestic Flights

For domestic travel within the same country, the recommended booking window varies. Sources suggest booking one to three months or around two months (approximately 60 days) before your intended departure date. This strategy helps you avoid the price spike that occurs closer to the travel date.

International Flights

International flights usually require a longer booking window. Sources recommend booking two to eight months or around two to six months (approximately 60 days) in advance for international travel. This longer window accounts for factors such as higher demand and limited flight routes, which can drive up prices.

Peak Seasons

If you're planning to travel during peak seasons like summer, it's best to book even earlier. Aim for three to seven months for domestic flights and four to ten months for international flights. This strategy ensures you find more affordable prices before demand surges and seats become scarce.

Holiday Travel

Holiday travel, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, also requires an early booking strategy. Aim to book holiday flights around three months in advance, with a recommended booking deadline of mid-October for Thanksgiving and the end of October for Christmas.

Summer Travel

For summer travel, it's a good idea to start monitoring flight prices at least three to four months in advance and then make your booking one to two months before your intended travel date. This approach ensures you're well-positioned to take advantage of any deals that arise during this busy travel season.

Tools for Tracking

To make the most of these booking windows, utilise tools like Google Flights, which allow you to set alerts for specific destinations and dates. Additionally, consider using price-tracking tools like Hopper's "Watch This Trip" feature, which will notify you when prices drop for your desired routes.

Remember, these booking windows are guidelines, and prices can fluctuate due to various factors, including demand, oil prices, and airline algorithms. However, by following these recommendations, you'll be well on your way to securing great deals on your summer travel plans.

Price alerts

Google Flights, for example, allows you to set up price tracking for a specific flight or for any flight on a particular route, regardless of the date. It will then periodically send you email updates on the tracked flights and routes, prompting you to book or rebook at a lower price. You can also manually check the price fluctuations by accessing your tracked flight prices dashboard.

Another option is to use a price-tracking tool like Hopper's "Watch This Trip" feature, which will notify you when prices drop and predict the best time to book based on historical data. Capital One cardholders can also take advantage of the Capital One Travel "watch this trip" option, which sends email notifications about price changes.

Additionally, you can subscribe to flight deal services such as Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) or Thrifty Traveler Premium, which will alert you when there are cheap flights from your preferred departure airport(s). These services are ideal if you are flexible with your travel destinations and dates.

By utilizing price alerts and tracking tools, you can stay informed about airfare prices and increase your chances of finding the best deals for your summer travel.

Frequently asked questions