When should I book my flight for February 2023?

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. “We call these the 'Goldilocks windows,'” says Keyes. “Not too early, not too late—just right in the middle.”



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Time your booking right
“For domestic flights, if you're talking peak season, it's about three to seven months in advance,” he says. “For international flights — [it's] four to 10 months.”

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Travelers seeking the lowest prices may find the best airfares from 36 to 74 days before departure for Thanksgiving flights, with the best deals about 52 days prior, according to Google Flights data. For Christmas, the best airfares may be found 20 to 88 days before departure, with the best deals about 22 days prior.

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“In 2023, we expect that [trend] to reverse and year-over-year fares to fall,” Keyes said, pointing to Federal Reserve data indicating recent, modest drops in airfare—a shift that comes as airlines have begun to add more flights, fueling competition.

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


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Inflation is pushing the prices of most basic items higher in 2023. “This is putting pressure on the airlines' costs,” says Berg. She adds, “It's affecting everything from the pilots' salaries to the price of the snacks they hand out on the flights.”

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Average fares are currently 36% higher than they were 12 months ago. (Adjusting for inflation, airfare is up 24%.) In 2023, I expect that to reverse and year-over-year fares to fall.

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If you're traveling within the United States, January and February are reliably the cheapest months to fly because they are right after the holidays. Assuming you don't want to fly internationally in cold weather, the cheapest warm-weather month to travel is August, with prices close to 10% lower than July.

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Now, the day of the week you choose to travel does make a difference in the best time to buy flights. In 2023, the cheapest day of the week to fly is Wednesday. Flying on Wednesday will save you almost $100 versus Sunday – the most expensive day to fly.

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When to Book Flights for Domestic Travel. According to a 2022 study by CheapAir.com, on average, the best time to purchase plane tickets for a domestic trip is about 76 days before your departure date. Keep in mind that this is an average — it doesn't mean you should log on exactly 76 days before travel.

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Beginning May 3, 2023, your driver's license will need to be REAL ID-compliant if you want to use it to fly within the U.S. It's part of a law passed by Congress. If your license is not compliant, and you don't have another acceptable form of ID, you'll have trouble getting through airport security.

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Now, the day of the week you choose to travel does make a difference in the best time to buy flights. In 2023, the cheapest day of the week to fly is Wednesday. Flying on Wednesday will save you almost $100 versus Sunday – the most expensive day to fly.

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If you're planning to travel in 2023… Especially if you're building your next vacation budget based on an early-pandemic-era trip, expect to pay far more now for pretty much every expense. Yet even though prices constantly feel like they're getting higher, you can still save on travel with a little planning.

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In our experience, while fantastic deals can pop up at any time, the best time to book a flight (what we call the Goldilocks Window) is 1–3 months ahead for domestic travel and 2–8 months ahead for international travel—unless your trip is around a popular holiday or peak travel time, or you have very specific travel ...

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15 Tips from Women to Save Money on Travel in 2023
  1. Set a budget and follow it. ...
  2. Look for deals and discounts. ...
  3. Look beyond the cost of the plane ticket. ...
  4. Exchange your money before leaving. ...
  5. Download an eSIM card. ...
  6. Stay in hostels or shared accommodation. ...
  7. Eat your biggest meal at lunch. ...
  8. Eat like a local.


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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. The same is generally true for business class and first class travelers.

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Spring break. For domestic flights in March and April, Google said, prices are typically lowest 23 to 59 days before departure, hitting their lowest price 38 days out. Summer vacation. For domestic flights in July or August, prices are typically lower 14 to 44 days out, hitting rock bottom 21 days before takeoff.

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Average domestic airfare price by day 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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International Inbound Travel Year-over-year, inbound travel volume is projected to grow 31% in 2023 and 18% in 2024, while inflation-adjusted spending is projected to grow 34% in 2023 and 19% in 2024. Volume in this sector is projected to recover by 2025, while inflation-adjusted spending will not recover until 2026.

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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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Welcome to Skift Research's State of Travel 2023 Report. Travel is back! While 2022 was all about bumper performances in some countries and sectors, and lagging performances in others, we can truly say that 2023 is the year that travel fully recovered.

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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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