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.

In 2026, waiting until the last minute to book a flight is generally a high-risk strategy that rarely results in savings. Most airlines now use highly sophisticated AI-driven dynamic pricing that increases fares as the departure date approaches, especially within the "14-day window" when business travelers (who are less price-sensitive) tend to book. The "sweet spot" for high-value domestic flights is usually 3 to 6 weeks in advance, and for international travel, it is 2 to 5 months. The only time a "last-minute" deal might work is if an airline is struggling to fill a specific route and drops prices 24–48 hours before takeoff, but this is increasingly rare in an era of high load factors and reduced flight frequencies. For a 2026 traveler, the premier approach is to set "price alerts" via Google Flights or Hopper and book when the price hits the "low" range for your route, as "last-minute" bookings today often cost 200% to 300% more than those secured just a month prior.