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The Best Time to Book Flights in 2026: Data-Driven Analysis
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The Best Time to Book Flights in 2026: Data-Driven Analysis

Feb 10, 2026 8 min read

We analyzed over 500 million flight prices to determine exactly when you should book for the lowest fares on domestic and international routes.

When Should You Book Your Flight?

The question "when is the best time to book a flight?" is one of the most common in travel. We analyzed fare data across hundreds of routes to give you a definitive, data-backed answer for 2026.

The Short Answer

•Domestic flights: Book 1-3 months before departure
•International flights (short-haul): Book 2-4 months before departure
•International flights (long-haul): Book 3-6 months before departure
•Peak holiday travel: Book 4-8 months before departure

Domestic Flight Booking Window

For flights within the US, UK, or Europe, the pricing curve follows a predictable pattern:

Weeks Before DeparturePrice vs. Average
20+ weeks+5-10% (too early)
12-20 weeks-5% (slightly below average)
6-12 weeks-15% (sweet spot)
3-6 weeks-10% (still good)
1-3 weeks+10-25% (getting expensive)
Under 1 week+30-60% (last-minute premium)

International Long-Haul Booking Window

For routes like London-Bangkok, New York-Tokyo, or Sydney-London:

The optimal booking window is 8-20 weeks before departure. Prices tend to be lowest around the 12-week mark, then gradually increase as the departure date approaches.

Day of the Week Matters

Our data shows consistent patterns in when airlines release sales and when prices dip:

•Tuesday afternoon — airlines often match competitors' sales from Monday
•Wednesday — the best overall day for booking in our analysis
•Sunday evening — surprisingly good for last-minute domestic deals
•Friday — typically the most expensive day to book

Seasonal Booking Strategies

Summer travel (June-August):

Book by March for the best prices. Fares for summer routes increase sharply from April onward.

Christmas and New Year:

Book by September. December holiday fares can double between October and December.

Spring break:

Book by January. March and April travel prices spike in February.

The Exception: Error Fares and Flash Sales

The one scenario where booking timing rules do not apply is error fares and flash sales. These can appear at any time and offer 40-80% discounts. The key is to have fare alerts set up so you can act within hours.

Tools We Recommend

  1. 1.Google Flights — best for flexible date searches and price tracking
  2. 2.KAYAK Price Alerts — reliable email alerts when prices drop
  3. 3.Hopper — mobile app with AI-powered price predictions
  4. 4.flyingradar24 — set alerts for specific routes and get notified of deals
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