What day do plane tickets go down?

Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the cheapest days to fly domestically. For international travel, midweek is the cheapest time to fly. Hopper recommends departing earlier in the week (between Monday and Wednesday) and returning later in the week (between Tuesday and Thursday) for international flights.



According to 2026 air travel data, the "best day to book" and the "cheapest day to fly" are different. Historically, Tuesdays and Wednesdays remain the cheapest days to physically fly, often saving travelers up to 15% compared to Sunday departures. However, the 2026 "Expedia Air Travel Hacks Report" suggests that Sundays have actually become the best day to book tickets to find lower average prices, while booking on Fridays can be up to 5% more expensive. For summer 2026 travel, the "sweet spot" is booking 28 to 35 days in advance for domestic flights and 4 months for international trips. It is a supportive peer tip to remember that 2026 pricing is highly "dynamic"—meaning AI algorithms adjust prices based on your search history and real-time demand—so using "Incognito" mode and setting fare alerts is more effective than just waiting for a specific day.

People Also Ask

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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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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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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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 best day of the week to buy airline tickets Although you may have heard that flight prices are lower on Tuesdays, the general consensus these days is that there is no single day of the week to score good deals on airfares. Deals get doled out every day of the week.

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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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Saturdays and Mondays are the next cheapest days to fly after midweek flights. The average airfare is about 13%-15% lower on these days. That means if you move your trip just one day forward or one day back from Sunday, you can usually save about $50 per ticket.

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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.

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Flying to Europe in 2024 without spending a fortune is in the cards after a long stretch of sky-high prices. Airlines have added new routes between the U.S. and Europe and announced plans to increase flights on some routes next spring and summer.

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“Historically, Tuesdays were the cheapest day to book flights,” says Laura Lindsay, global travel trends expert for trip-booking website Skyscanner. “This was broadly true prepandemic as seasonality and even weekly pricing cycles were more predictable. However, this is no longer a hard and fast rule.”

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Booking Searches Are Low It is quite obvious that based on searches, airlines vary their prices. At midnight, fewer people are willing to open sites and book tickets. This drops down the overall price of the ticket and you can get the ticket at a very affordable price by dialing 1-802-341-3403.

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As demand increases, supply decreases and the airline revenue management algorithm automatically increases the ticket prices of the remaining seats on the aircraft. To maximize revenue, airlines use a variable pricing strategy to sell the same seat at different prices to different customers at different times.

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It mostly comes down to supply and demand. Demand is contributing to higher prices as travel continues to surge post-pandemic, Berg said. Sustained strong demand in 2023 continues to put additional pressure on prices, especially to and within regions where travel has only recently reopened like parts of Asia.

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The answer is Yes! Skyscanner is an independent company with the sole goal of helping you find the best option for your personal travel plans. Every month, over 100 million customers trust Skyscanner to help them find the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals.

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