Is there a cheapest month to fly? If you're looking for a bargain month to travel, February is your best bet. Flights in January closely follow February for being most affordable. At the other end of the spectrum, December and July are the first and second most expensive months to travel, on average.

In 2026, January and February remain the cheapest months for travel within the U.S., as the post-holiday "slump" causes airlines and hotels to slash prices to fill seats and rooms. During this "Dead Week" period (typically the second week of January through early February), domestic airfare can be 15-20% lower than the annual average. Another highly affordable window is late August and September, often called the "back-to-school" shoulder season. During this time, summer demand evaporates, but the weather remains pleasant in most of the country. Conversely, December is the most expensive month due to holiday surges, and July holds the peak for summer vacation pricing. Travelers looking for the best value in 2026 should target "Tuesday-to-Tuesday" itineraries in the mid-winter months, particularly for cities like Las Vegas, Orlando, or New Orleans, which offer significant off-peak discounts to attract conventions and tourists.