Expedia’s Air Travel Hacks Report Reveals Best Time to Book and Fly
As the holiday travel season approaches, Expedia has released its 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report, providing tips to help save travelers time and money on their next flight.
Average ticket prices began to surpass 2019 levels in March and April this year, driven by a spike in demand and less travel restrictions. After peaking during the summer months, airfare prices dropped again for fall and are expected to rise again in the coming months.
The report is in its eighth year and it is created in partnership with Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) and leveraging insights from its global air ticketing database. The report shows the best times to book flights and how to better your chances of avoiding cancellations and delays.
When to Book
Book on a Sunday to save up to 15% on average. Travelers who book on Sundays instead of Fridays tend to save, on average, around 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights. While the best day of the week to book has been Sunday for the past four years, travelers saved 5% more on average in 2022 compared to 2021.
Book at least a month before domestic flights to save 10% on average. The sweet spot for snagging the best price on domestic flights falls between 28 – 35 days before departure – so about a month in advance of travel. Travelers that booked during that period saved 10% on average compared to those who waited until the last minute (0 – 2 weeks out). Those who prefer to plan further in advance, booking domestic airfares any earlier than 113 days out has historically been more expensive, but may ensure you get your preferred flights.
Book 6 months before international flights to save 10% on average. Travelers that book around six months in advance of international travel saved 10% on average compared to those who waited until two months out or less to book.
How to Avoid Delays and Cancellations
Depart before 3pm to reduce chance of cancellations. Travelers that want the best chance for smooth travel should aim for early flights. Based on year-to-date flight status data, flights that depart after 3pm have the highest chance of being cancelled – a 50% higher chance, on average, than those that depart earlier in the day.
Travel off-peak. Data shows that avoiding the peak travel periods can have more benefits than just cost-savings. Historically, flight delays were shorter during March and April compared to the busy summer months, dropping by about 40 minutes.
Overall, airlines have improved their services, with total cancellations dropping from more than 7% early in the year to around 3% in August. The trend is expected to continue next year.
Best Time to Travel
Depart on a Wednesday to save up to 15% on average. In general, travelers who started a trip on a Wednesday, versus the beginning of the week (a Sunday or a Monday) saved, on average, 15% on domestic flights.
For international flights, travelers who departed on a Wednesday instead of during the weekend (a Sunday or a Saturday) saved 10% on average.
You can see the full report here.
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