Is there really a best time to book flights?

Is there really a best time to book flights?

News outlets regularly claim to share the best time to book flights. Is there such a thing and if so, when? We ask an expert for answers

When it comes to the best time to book flights, Peter and I do very little strategy. We just search online and book the first decent deal we see.

In the early days we sacrificed time to save money, but as we got older and more financially stable, we moved in the other direction. We'll still endure an 18-hour layover if it saves us hundreds of pounds (like we did in Singapore this year), but we won't stay overnight in an airport to save just ten pounds (like we did in Chile for three years). before).

Given our jobs, we're often asked if there really is a best time to book flights, and the honest answer has been, "We don't know." There is so much conflicting information out there that it's difficult to say for sure.

To find a definitive answer, we spoke to Michael Green*, who trains cabin crew for a major airline after spending a decade as crew himself. We also spoke to Kyle Bernard, senior editor at flight specialist Justfly, for his insight into the best time to book flights.

Use flight comparison sites

This is a no-brainer, but it's always worth mentioning. Travel agencies advertise special fares, but most only use flight comparison websites, says Michael. Therefore, you are welcome to book your flights directly.

alt=“Travel agents use comparison sites to find the best flights”>DreamtimeTravel agents use comparison sites to find the best flights

Some travelers advise you to search for flights in an incognito window on your browser to prevent price increases based on your search history. However, there is no evidence that this actually happens. Airlines say they don't do this, and we at Atlas & Boots haven't personally experienced it. However, this additional step certainly can't hurt.

Book as early as possible

It has been widely reported that purchasing a ticket 70 days in advance is the best time to book flights. However, Michael advises travelers to book as early as possible: "Outside of sales, prices very rarely go down, so book early. Don't wait until the last minute. There's no value in waiting."

alt="Airlines will overbook to fill flights">DreamtimeAirlines overbook flights to fill the plane

Michael says the 70-day benchmark is an average that varies depending on the route and time of year you plan to travel.

“Airlines strategize as much as they can fill a flight,” he explains. “They will overbook to fill flights.” Your chances of getting a last-minute deal on empty seats are therefore extremely slim.

Kyle adds that while two months before your departure date is a good guideline, "you should always consider seasonality. Tickets tend to cost more when booked during times when people are typically off (e.g. holidays)."

…Unless you can wait for the sales

With that in mind, special offers are worth waiting for, says Michael: “I used to be skeptical of special offers, thinking they were just a marketing tool, but you get really good prices.”

Airlines typically offer special offers twice a year: from Boxing Day until the end of the year and then on Easter weekend.

Michael points out a marketing ploy that was often used during this time: “If you see “only two spots left,” be careful. There are different ways to measure this and companies are being pushed for greater clarity to stop the hard sell.”

10% is a good deal

Some travelers expect big discounts, but that's unlikely, says Michael: "It's worth noting that 10% is a good selling price. This is usually the biggest discount airlines offer. Airport taxes are very high, so on a £500 sale the airline can make £50-£100 as the tax eats up the rest."

While hunting for bargains is worth it, Michael warns against playing "flexi-deals," a type of ticket that allows you to buy a cheap flight out of season and later rebook it into peak season at no additional cost: "Sometimes airlines embargo on certain dates or when availability is low. Get it wrong and you could end up with a ticket you don't want and can't use."

Book any day of the week

Some publications have claimed Tuesday is the best time to book flights, but that is largely coincidental. The type of ranking means that a specific day is at the top of the list. This doesn't mean it's the best time to book your flight.

Unless an unforeseeable event occurs, prices tend not to fluctuate much during the week, so you don't have to wait until Tuesday to book your flight.

Fly on specific days of the week

However, when it comes to the day you fly, there is a difference. As with many things, this depends on your route.

alt="The best time to fly depends on your destination">DreamtimeThe best time to fly depends on your destination

Michael says: "Flying to the Caribbean on a weekend will be expensive as most people go on holiday from weekend to weekend. Conversely, flying to a city - New York, Boston, Washington - on a weekday can be expensive as business travelers fly there. When people say it's always cheaper during the week, that's not necessarily the case."

Kyle adds: “Booking flights that depart later in the day is highly correlated with savings.” The best time to fly is against the flow of other passengers and as late in the day as possible.

Stop at an unusual airport

Depending on where you're going, adding a stop can reduce costs. What's interesting is that opting for a stopover at an unusual destination can reduce costs because airport taxes are lower.

alt=”Include a layover to reduce costs. Best time to book flights”>DreamtimeBuild in a layover to reduce flight costs

“Flying to Asia with Finnair with a stopover in Helsinki is a good option as the airport taxes in Helsinki are relatively low.” says Michael. “SAS with a stop in Stockholm is also a good option for Asia.”

He warns that you'll likely have to change, meaning there's a greater risk of lost luggage and the like, but the savings can be significant: "For an individual this may be a relatively minor £80, but for a family of four, it's definitely worth it."

Be faithful

“If you're a loyal customer of a particular company, you'll get used to the patterns of when they give discounts and when they don't,” says Michael. This will help determine the best time to book flights with that airline.

Loyalty to an airline or alliance also helps earn airline miles, which can secure upgrades and preferential treatment such as priority boarding and access to premium lounges.

Accept voluntary cancellations

As mentioned earlier, airlines tend to overbook flights to fill the plane. This may surprise the average customer, but Michael explains that no-shows are more common than we realize: "There are a variety of reasons why people miss flights. They may not show up for health reasons, but they don't alert the airline; they just go through insurance instead."

Of course, there are occasions when everyone shows up, where the airline usually asks for volunteers for the next flight.

“Accept these offers if you can,” says Michael. “You get your money back and get to your destination.”

If you like it, book it!

Michael's final advice: "If you see a good deal, don't wait too long. Indecisive travelers will want to sleep on it for a few days or say they'll book it tonight when they get home. If something feels like a lot, grab it."

alt="If it feels like a deal, book it and go! best time to book flights">DreamtimeIf it feels like a deal, book it and go!

So, the best time to book flights in a nutshell: booking 70 days in advance is good; Even sooner is great unless you know there will be a sale. Don't expect much more than 10% off, book any day of the week but fly on specific days. Build in a stopover if possible, be loyal, and accept voluntary cancellations when possible. Finally, if you like it, book it.

Good luck and see you out there!

*We have changed this interviewee's name because otherwise he would need official permission from his employer to speak publicly about his job.

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