There are numerous ways to reduce the cost of flights.
On the other hand, according to statistics from Google Flights, purchasing airfare on a specific day of the week is not one of them.
The optimum time to book flights is typically said to be in the middle of the week, particularly Tuesdays at midnight. However, according to Google Flights, the average price difference between Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday flights within the United States and weekend flights has only been 1.9% during the past five years.
“If your trip is just a couple of weeks away, don’t wait for Tuesday to roll around — book your flight now in case the price goes up,” in a blogpost from yesterday, James Byers, group product manager for Google Flights, said.
Methods that are effective
The research by Google Flights, which looked at five years’ worth of historical flight data from August 1, 2017 to August 1, 2022, found that while the day of the week people book may not matter much, the day they fly does.
“On average, flights that depart on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday have been 12% cheaper than weekend departures,” wrote Byers. “If you exclude international destinations, the potential savings jump even higher to 20%.”
According to the data, making reservations early is another popular tactic that is effective. According to the study, airfares for domestic flights within the United States have often been at their lowest between three and eight weeks before a departure date, with costs “bottoming out” 44 days out.
According to Google Flights, non-stop flights cost around 20% more on average than connecting flights, but flights with stops also carry a higher chance of delays.
More than one-third of respondents to an Instagram poll conducted by travel insurance provider World Nomads said they had spent up to $250 this summer on flights, meals, or accommodations as a result of delays or cancellations, while 12% said they had spent $500 to $1,000.
Other methods to save
The “date grid” feature of Google Flights allows travelers with flexible flying schedules to find the most affordable days to leave and arrive within a particular week.
Use the “price graph” option to find the cheapest times to fly if you’re flexible on when you want to travel but want to go somewhere for a set amount of time, like two weeks.
Additionally, price tracking avoids the need to repeatedly look for and compare prices on a certain route. Once you’ve completed your search for the route, click the “track prices” button, and Google Flights will inform you any time the price of the airfare changes.
When to book: “Best Times”
Google Flights also makes recommendations for the “best times” to book flights for popular routes and busy seasons of year based on historical data.
The earliest possible planning is encouraged for those looking to save money on their flights to Europe, while summer vacationers may want to think about making reservations weeks rather than months in advance.
