SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 23, 2025 – Air travel is booming again, and with billions of passengers taking to the skies, knowing the best time to book a flight can make the difference between a bargain escape and a budget-busting trip. Yet with fluctuating fares, busy airports and a dizzying number of booking options, it’s no wonder so many travelers hesitate at the checkout page. If you’ve ever added flights to your cart, panicked and closed the tab, you’re definitely not alone.
Why timing your flight booking matters
By the end of 2025, more than 9.8 billion people are expected to travel by air, and demand is still climbing. At the same time, the travel industry has an 82% cart abandon rate, showing how unsure many travelers feel about when to actually hit “book.” Airlines carefully track demand and adjust fares constantly, which means your timing can seriously impact what you pay.
As Skyscanner notes, most flights are released around 10 to 12 months before departure, and that’s when you’ll usually see the widest choice and some of the lowest prices. “Booking as early as you can is recommended to help you to find a good deal. Airfares are tied to supply and demand, so prices are almost always cheaper when there are more seats available. As seats fill up, prices generally rise,” says Martin Nolan, Skyscanner’s global travel expert.
That doesn’t mean there are no last-minute deals, but leaving things late usually means fewer options, longer layovers and higher stress – especially if you’re picky about departure times or seat choices.
How far ahead should you book?
If you’re a planner, you’re already ahead of the game. For short-haul flights of less than three hours, Skyscanner recommends booking one to three months before departure. For long-haul journeys of more than six hours, consider booking two to six months out.
Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report goes even deeper: for domestic flights, the sweet spot is 34 to 86 days ahead, which could save around 25% compared to grabbing a ticket at the last minute. For overseas flights, the ideal booking window is 18 to 29 days before departure, which their data shows can save around 17% compared to a booking made three months or more in advance.
The key is to balance price with peace of mind. If you have fixed dates or you’re traveling for something important, booking earlier gives you more control and less last-minute anxiety.
Sunday: the secret booking day
For years, travelers traded tips about booking on a Tuesday to get the best deals. But Expedia’s deep dive into billions of tickets has turned that myth on its head. Their analysis found that, regardless of destination, the best day to book a flight is Sunday.
Compared to booking on Monday or Friday—historically the most expensive days—Sunday bookers can save about 6% on domestic trips and up to 17% on international journeys. For lifestyle travelers, that might mean extra budget for a boutique hotel, a special dinner, or that spa day you’ve been eyeing.
Short-haul vs long-haul: different clocks, different strategies
Your ideal booking window also depends on where you’re going and how far you’re flying. John Grant, senior analyst at OAG, suggests that if you can’t plan super far ahead, aiming to book “five months to six weeks before travel, when the airlines have a good idea about how demand is building and will stimulate some more booking activity,” can still work in your favor.
Short-haul trips often have more frequent services and slightly more flexibility for last-minute finds, especially on less popular days. Long-haul flights, on the other hand, can sell out faster in popular seasons, and good connections can disappear early. That’s where watching prices over a few weeks, setting alerts and being flexible by a day or two can really pay off.
Premium seats and holiday travel: when to lock it in
If you’re eyeing premium economy or business class, timing matters even more. Expedia’s study found that for US-based travelers, the best time to book a premium ticket is 10 to 17 days before departure, but even booking 90 days ahead can save up to 10% compared to the most expensive period, which hits around 160 days before the flight.
With the price gap between premium and economy down 10% compared to 2019, more people are treating themselves to extra comfort, which means those seats may sell out faster than before. For first and business class, demand is strong enough that booking early—up to nine months ahead for peak periods—is usually the safer play.
When it comes to holiday travel, expect pressure on prices and availability. Expedia notes that holidays “always bring unprecedented travel surges.” Hybrid and remote working are spreading departures around the calendar, but that doesn’t mean demand has disappeared. As Nolan explains, “We’re now seeing departures more spread out, causing less demand for any one particular date,” which can help if you’re flexible—but if your dates are fixed, early booking is still your best friend.
3 ways to make flight booking less stressful
- Decide your priorities first. Is it price, direct flights, or exact dates? Knowing what matters most helps you pounce confidently when the right fare appears.
- Use alerts, then act quickly. Sign up for airline and travel-site alerts so you hear about new routes, flash sales and price drops, then book when the deal matches your plans.
- Avoid “perfect deal” paralysis. As Expedia puts it, waiting too long can be “a high-risk, high-reward strategy. On one hand, you could snag an awesome deal. On the other, you could end up with longer layovers, sold-out flights or a higher ticket price,” so don’t let the search for perfection derail your trip.
Ultimately, there’s no single magic date that works for every route, but knowing the patterns—Sunday bookings, smart lead times, and earlier action for holidays and premium cabins—can turn guesswork into a calm, confident part of trip planning.