Will airfare go down in 2024?

Expedia's report also notes travelers can look forward to a 3 percent decrease in booking airfare in 2024, compared to the higher prices of 2022.



Looking back from 2026, airfares in 2024 remained relatively high but began to stabilize and dip in specific sectors. Following the post-pandemic "travel revenge" surge of 2022 and 2023, 2024 saw a gradual increase in airline capacity as more planes were delivered and routes were fully restored. This increased competition, particularly on international long-haul routes (like North America to Europe and Asia), led to a decrease in base fares of about 5% to 10% for travelers who booked during "shoulder seasons" like February and September. However, domestic fares in many regions stayed flat or slightly increased due to rising labor costs for pilots and fluctuating jet fuel prices. The 2024 travel market rewarded strategic booking; while the "all-time lows" of the past didn't return, the wild price spikes seen in 2023 began to moderate, a trend that has continued into 2026 as fuel-efficient "Next-Gen" aircraft become the industry standard.

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Airlines will allow you to book flights as far out as 11 months or even close to a year, depending on the carrier. That means you can already book trips for the early part of summer on a lot of U.S. airlines. Some international airlines allow you to book trips as far out as late July 2024.

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The general rule is that for domestic flights, travelers should start searching for flight tickets one to three months in advance. For international flights, the best prices are typically available from two to eight months in advance. Prices can also vary widely among airlines.

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Most airlines put their fares on sale roughly 11 months out. That means as of early November, you can already book flights all the way through September 2024. That, of course, includes the peak summer months of June, July, and August. But crucially, it only just includes those months.

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Expedia data shows that August is the cheapest warm-weather month to fly, with average ticket prices nearly 10% lower compared with July. Tickets are also cheaper in August than during the December rush. For the lowest fares on domestic flights, travel in January or February.

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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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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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These days, airlines use complex computer software and algorithms to adjust their prices, so they can respond to supply and demand in real time. For example, if some bookings get canceled close to the flight date, the software might automatically offer those seats at a very low price to make sure they get filled.

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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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More specifically, Tuesday at about 15:00 eastern time. This is because many airlines release weekly sales early on Tuesday, which creates competition between airlines to match prices.

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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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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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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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The Cheapest Time to Fly Internationally is from February-March. Granted this one's a bit of a misnomer, because yearly price trends on international flights are typically dictated primarily by the high and low seasons of the destination abroad.

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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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Timing-wise, you should aim to book 5-10 months in advance of travel. That is far earlier than most other people book flights, so you have a better chance of getting the cheap seats. Still, it's not a good idea to book just any old fare in February through July.

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