Is September a good month to buy plane tickets?

Winter holiday flight prices are up by 11%, per CheapAir.com, which also noted that September remains the best month to book the cheapest holiday flights. Similarly, Google's 2023 flight booking trends report suggests that average flight prices around Christmas are lowest 71 days before departure.



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Winter is the bargain season to travel, and you can also wait longer to purchase your airline tickets than in any other season. If you like, in the winter months you can wait up to 26 days before departure to get a good flight deal. The spring and fall shoulder seasons offer the next lowest prices for travelers.

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Average domestic airfare price by day
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically.
  • Saturday and Monday flights can help you avoid the Sunday rush.
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally.
  • Book one to three months in advance.
  • Set a price alert.


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Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically. The cheapest days to depart if you're flying within the U.S. are midweek — generally Tuesday or Wednesday. For economy tickets, Tuesdays are about 24% lower than peak prices on Sundays, which translates to savings of about $85 per ticket.

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Generally, flights are available to book around 11 months in advance, although it will differ from airline to airline. Check out our page on how far in advance you can book flights for more information.

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Berg says the general rule of thumb is to book your flight three-to-five months out from your departure date. For your summer travel, that means as early as January, which Berg says is one of the best months to snag a good deal. January is one of the cheapest months to buy flight tickets, she tells TODAY.com.

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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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How often do airlines update airfare information online? The airlines update fare information 3 times a day. They do not necessarily change airfare prices all three times, but they certainly can, and often do.

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Shoulder season — generally April through mid-June, and September through October — combines the advantages of both peak- and off-season travel. In shoulder season, you'll enjoy decent weather, long-enough daylight, fewer crowds, and a local tourist industry still ready to please and entertain.

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Why are flights so expensive in 2023? Flights cost even more in early 2023 than they do now. Factors such as fuel costs, staffing shortages, aging IT infrastructure and hidden fees all contribute to expensive flights in 2023.

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You enjoy great weather
You can still catch some of the summer sun when traveling in September, meaning you get the best of both worlds. It's not too hot and not too cold in most areas and offers a happy medium when it comes to vacationing at this time of year.

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Flights are typically the cheapest when you book 3-6 weeks in advance for domestic or 2-4 months in advance for international. It also helps to travel in off-season for your destination. November and February are often cheap months to travel for this reason.

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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.

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Domestic airline prices are on the decline in 2023, finally retreating after spiking just a year ago. International fares are still high. After soaring in 2022, prices for domestic airline tickets are on the descent.

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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.

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On average, Google Flights recommends booking your flight 52 days out for domestic travel in November during Thanksgiving, as this is when airfare, on average, is at its cheapest. However, prices are historically lowest anywhere between 36 and 74 days before departure.

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The cheapest months to travel are:
  • November – early December.
  • Late January – March.


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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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There are a number of reasons why airline prices fluctuate. These factors include booking and flight seasons, holidays, seasonal changes, and overall volatility. For instance, the travel restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed prices down as demand for travel waned.

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