Do flight prices go down on same day as flight?

There is a persistent myth about cheap last minute fares, but that's what it is, a myth. Airline yield management cranks up the prices so that people who have to buy tickets at the last minute, usually business travelers, pay the most.



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Airline ticket prices do not always drop as the last minute approaches. In fact, they often go up. This is because airlines know that people who need to book last-minute flights are often willing to pay more, especially if they are traveling for business or have to be at their destination on a specific date.

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More specifically, Tuesday at about 15:00 eastern time. This is because many airlines release weekly sales early on Tuesday, which creates competition between airlines to match prices.

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Those who buy on Sunday instead of Friday (the most expensive day to shop for plane tickets) will save on average 17% on domestic flights and 24% on international ones.

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Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

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And when you need to get somewhere far away on very short notice, you might be wondering, “Are same-day flights cheaper than booking in advance?” In general, same-day flights are cheaper than booking in advance, but it isn't always the case. Sometimes, booking a flight six months in advance might seem like a good idea.

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Tuesday Around Midnight is the Cheapest Time to Book
In general, flights were slightly cheaper at midnight earlier in the week (Monday through Wednesday). However, this is only applicable to about 1.6% of U.S. markets, meaning that it's not likely you'll find the same savings on your specific route.

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The myth has been going around for years, but the truth is that flight prices don't go down on Tuesdays. To be fair, they did at one point in time, and savvy travelers could score a great deal late on a Tuesday night.

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Airline tickets even allow some room for negotiation if you're not satisfied with the results when you search for cheap tickets. If you spend a lot on airline tickets every year, and are part of an airline's frequent flier program, you have more leverage than someone who rarely travels.

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How far in advance should you book a flight to get the best deal? The best time to book a flight is one to three months before your departure for domestic airline tickets and two to eight months prior for international flights, according to Scott's Cheap Flights. “We call these the 'Goldilocks windows,'” says Keyes.

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Another good rule of thumb for travelers figuring out how to get cheap last-minute flights: There is no secret time to score the perfect deal. But generally, the best prices tend to drop off once the flight is less than three weeks away.

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Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

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What are the best seats on a plane?
  • Best seat for a smooth ride: A seat over the wing.
  • Best seat for sleepers: A window seat near the front.
  • Best seat for maximum legroom: An aisle seat in the second exit row.


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In fact, people who get the first flight in the morning can usually expect a smoother trip, friendlier staff, a cleaner plane and, often, a cheaper ticket. For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. That's right, rising with the lark pays when it comes to air travel.

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Nighttime or morning flights are statistically better for turbulence, compared to those in the day. Although turbulence can't be completely avoided at night, winds are often weaker and thermal convection turbulence is less, making the chances of encountering turbulence reduced.

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