Best 2 Days to Book Cheap Flights

By COLlive staff

Buying airline tickets can be a maddening ordeal. Luckily, new studies are providing some clues into the inner workings of airline ticket pricing.

Scott McCartney of the Wall Street Journal has the details.

How far in advance to book a flight?
The cheapest prices are typically found three months to three weeks before departure.

Hopper website notes that how far in advance you buy is a much bigger factor in price than what day of the week you make your purchase.

Cheapest days to book a flight?
Sunday and Tuesday (20-36% cheaper).

Priciest days to book a flight?
Thursdays and Fridays.

Fly on Motzoei Shabbos?
On average, airline tickets were 25% less expensive if they included a Saturday-night stay, ARC says.

Nonstop or connecting flights?
Unlike in the past when airlines needed to fill empty seats, flights are so full that airline pricing favors nonstops more often.

Do gas prices influence?
Airlines aren’t setting prices so much based on their costs anymore. So if you see oil prices jump higher, no need to wait to buy tickets hoping airfares might drop if oil drops.

A cheaper economy ticket?
“Basic economy” (no assigned seats until shortly before departure and other reduced perks) can be half the price or less of a “standard economy.”

Smaller gaps seem to exist in leisure markets like Hawaii and Florida, the Expedia/ARC study found. Larger gaps exist in strong business-travel markets like New York, Dallas and Houston.

Cheapest days to fly?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Priciest days to fly?
Monday and Friday.

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