When Is the Best Time to Book a Flight? The Ultimate Guide to Scoring Cheap Airfare

Booking flights at the right time can save you hundreds of dollars, but airfare prices constantly fluctuate, making it tricky to know when to buy. At BestFlightAlerts, we use AI-powered fare tracking to analyze thousands of flights daily, ensuring you book at the lowest possible price.

In this guide, we'll break down the best time to book a flight, whether domestic or international, and answer common questions like:

• When is the best time to book a flight?
• When is the best time to book a Southwest flight?
• How far ahead should you book a flight?

Let's dive in!

📌 When Is the Best Time to Book a Flight? (General Rule)

📊 Best booking window: 1-3 months in advance for domestic flights, 3-6 months for international flights.

Cheapest Days to Book Flights

🛫 Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days to book flights. Airlines often release new fares on Monday nights, meaning by Tuesday, competitors adjust their prices.

🚀 Worst days to book: Avoid booking on Fridays and Sundays, as prices tend to spike due to high demand.

What Time of Day Is Best to Book?

🔎 Many flight deal experts suggest booking flights in the early morning (before 6 AM EST) when airlines release new deals and fewer people are searching.

Do Last-Minute Flights Get Cheaper?

❌ No! While last-minute deals exist, most flights increase in price as the departure date approaches. Airlines charge premium prices for business travelers booking late.

📌 When Is the Best Time to Book a Domestic Flight?

• 📆 Ideal booking window: 30-90 days before departure
• 📉 Best months to book: January, February, August, and September
• ✈️ Avoid: Holidays, peak travel times, and school vacations

For U.S. domestic flights, airlines release tickets 330 days in advance, but you'll find the best prices 1 to 3 months before departure.

Best Time to Fly for Cheap Domestic Tickets

• Mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) – Lower demand means cheaper flights
• Early morning or late-night flights – Less popular and cheaper
• Off-peak seasons (fall and late winter) – Fewer travelers mean lower fares

🛑 Booking too early (6+ months ahead) can sometimes be more expensive! Airlines set high initial prices and later offer discounts as demand fluctuates.

📌 When Is the Best Time to Book an International Flight?

• 📆 Ideal booking window: 3-6 months before departure
• 🌎 Best months to book: September, October, February
• 🏖️ Avoid: Major holidays and summer peak season (June - August)

International flights require more advance planning than domestic ones. Airlines release seats early but tend to drop prices about 4-6 months before departure.

Regional Booking Tips

• Europe: Book 4-6 months in advance for the best deals
• Asia: Book 5-7 months in advance, especially for peak seasons
• South America: Book 3-5 months in advance
• Australia & New Zealand: Book 6-8 months in advance due to limited routes

Best Days to Fly Internationally for the Lowest Fares

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the cheapest days to fly.
• Avoid Fridays and Sundays, which are the most expensive.

📌 When Is the Best Time to Book a Southwest Flight?

✈️ Southwest Airlines doesn't appear on Google Flights or Skyscanner, so you must book directly through their website.

Tips for Booking Cheap Southwest Flights

• ✔ Book as soon as the schedule is released – Southwest releases flights in batches, and the best fares sell fast.
• ✔ Use the Low Fare Calendar – This tool shows the cheapest days to fly.
• ✔ Watch for fare sales (Tuesdays & Thursdays) – Southwest frequently runs flash sales, often for travel 6-8 weeks out.

📢 Pro Tip: Since Southwest allows free cancellations, you can book early and rebook if fares drop!

📌 Cheapest Day to Buy Airline Tickets

💰 Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to buy flights because airlines adjust their fares after competitor price changes.

🚨 Biggest myth: There is no single "cheapest day" every time! Prices fluctuate based on demand, seasonality, and available fare classes.