The Best Time To Book A Plane Ticket
Everyone wants to get the best possible price when booking a flight. Flying can be expensive, right? This is especially the case when you are booking flights for your family and have multiple fares to pay for – making finding the best prices even more important. Knowing when to book a flight can help you save money and get the flight you want.
If only there was a way to know when the best time to book a plane ticket is. Oh wait – there is!
According to a recent study conducted by the fine people at CheapAir, they have identified the best time to book a flight for your next trip. They spend the past year compiling the data and have finally found a scientific way to get the cheapest rates for flights.
About the Study
- The study analyzed 4,191, 533 trips booking in 2013
- It examined prospective fares over a 10 ½ flight booking window
- Bookings ranged from 320 days in advance to 1 day in advance
So, when is the best time to book a flight?
Here is what the study found:
- The best time to buy a domestic airline ticket was 54 days in advance of your trip
- The prime booking window to buy a ticket is between 29 and 104 days before your flight
- Ticket prices are within $10 of their lowest rate during the prime booking window
- The worst time to book your flight was last minute (not a big surprise here)
- Fares tend to drop about 104 days out until about 54 days out – where they begin to rise again.
Overall the data from the study debunks the common belief that you can save a lot of money if you wait until the last minute. In fact, booking a flight within two weeks of you trip is one of the worst times to buy airline tickets.
As with all other studies, the results should not be taken as fact. Depending on where you are flying, which airline you choose and other factors, the pricing will vary. However, using the results of this study as a guide is a good way to approach exploring air ticket prices.
Perhaps the best advice you can take is to check back regularly. If you know you will be travelling, keep a close eye on airline tickets. If you notice the prices have dropped or the airline is having a seat sale, take advantage. The truth is you never know if prices will drop or go up – so stay on top of things and you should be able to find a reasonable price for your next flight.
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Do you have a strategy for booking airplane tickets? When have you found to be the best time to book a flight? Do you have any tips you share with other people looking to save a few bucks on their flight?