There's no sugarcoating it: Airfare is expensive. And while waiting until the last minute might sound like a good idea, it typically is cheaper to book your flights in advance. "We are seeing fewer last-minute deals than in years past, especially when it comes to flights," a Kayak spokesperson tells Travel + Leisure.

Generally, last-minute plane tickets are significantly more expensive because airlines utilize sophisticated "revenue management" algorithms that categorize late-booking passengers as "business travelers" with inelastic demand. These passengers often must travel for urgent meetings or emergencies and are willing to pay a premium. Historically, the "sweet spot" for booking is 21 to 60 days before departure; once you enter the 14-day window, prices typically spike as the lower-priced "saver" buckets are removed. However, in 2026, there is a small exception: if a flight is severely undersold, some carriers may drop prices in the final 48 hours to fill empty seats, but this is a gamble rather than a reliable strategy. For popular routes or holiday periods, waiting until the last minute is almost guaranteed to result in a "fare jump" that can be 200% to 300% higher than the price offered a month prior. To avoid this, it is best to use "Price Tracking" tools which can alert you if a rare last-minute dip occurs on your specific route.