Cheapest Day To Book Flights — 2026 Price Data

The short answer is: book flights on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the cheapest fares, with Tuesday being the absolute sweet spot for the lowest prices, according to data from Google Flights and Skyscanner showing average savings of 15-20% compared to weekends.

Here’s how to put that into practice: first, avoid booking on Fridays or Sundays, the most expensive days for flights, as travelers often plan weekend getaways and airlines capitalize on that demand. Instead, aim to book your flight on a Tuesday or Wednesday, ideally between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time, when airlines often release new deals and lower prices to fill empty seats. For example, a round-trip flight from New York to Los Angeles in August typically costs $350 on a Tuesday but jumps to $450 on a Saturday, a $100 difference that adds up fast.

Second, use price alerts on travel sites like Google Flights or Kayak to monitor fare trends. Set them for your specific route and dates, and you’ll get notified when prices drop. For instance, a trip from Chicago to Miami in October saw a 25% price drop when a price alert triggered, saving travelers $120 on a $480 ticket. This is especially useful for flexible travelers who can adjust dates based on real-time data.

Third, consider flying with budget airlines like Spirit or Frontier for the lowest base fares, but be aware of hidden fees. A flight from Denver to Orlando on Spirit costs $99, but add baggage, seat selection, and a meal, and the total climbs to $220. Always check the total price before booking, not just the base fare, to avoid surprises.

A common misconception is that booking early always saves money. In reality, the best time to book is 2-3 months in advance for domestic flights and 3-6 months for international trips, but only if you’re booking on the right day. Booking too early—like 10 months out—can mean missing out on last-minute deals, while booking too late—like a week before departure—often means paying a premium. For example, a flight from Boston to Las Vegas booked 120 days in advance cost $280, but the same flight booked 30 days in advance was $220, a $60 savings.

For the most up-to-date deals and to compare prices across airlines, find cheap flights using tools that aggregate data from multiple sources, which can help you spot the best value without having to manually check each airline’s site.

Finally, the single best recommendation is to combine booking on a Tuesday with a price alert for your specific route. This two-pronged approach ensures you’re not only timing your purchase right but also capitalizing on the lowest available fares as they drop, maximizing your savings without sacrificing convenience or flexibility.