If you're interested in getting the best deal on flights, it helps to understand what causes changes in pricing. Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date.

Statistically, flights almost always get more expensive the closer you get to the travel date, particularly within the 21-day window before departure. This is due to "yield management" algorithms used by airlines, which assume that travelers booking at the last minute are often business travelers or those in emergencies who are less price-sensitive and willing to pay a premium. In 2026, the "sweet spot" for booking domestic flights is typically 1 to 3 months in advance, while international trips should be booked 4 to 8 months out. While "last-minute deals" used to be common in the early 2000s, airlines today are much better at using AI to predict demand and fill planes early. If a flight is empty a few days before departure, an airline might occasionally drop prices, but it's a risky gamble for the traveler. More often, the airline will simply cancel the flight or consolidate it with another one rather than selling seats for a loss. The only major exception in 2026 is during "dead zones" (like the first two weeks of December or late January), where you might find stable prices closer to the date, but for holiday or summer travel, waiting usually results in a significantly higher fare.