Here’s how early you can book a flight and still get cheap airfare

Adriana Diaz
·3 min read
The prime booking window to buy cheap flights is approximately 2.5 months to 3 weeks in advance of the trip, a new study from CheapAir.com has found.
The prime booking window to buy cheap flights is approximately 2.5 months to 3 weeks in advance of the trip, a new study from CheapAir.com has found.

Don’t just wing it if you want low airfare.

The prime booking window for cheap flights is about three months to three weeks in advance of your trip, a new study from CheapAir.com has found.

Travelers who wait until less than a week out pay 59% more on average compared to their non-procrastinating friends.

However, you don’t want to commit too far in advance.

Those who book their ticket too early could end up paying almost as much as if they booked the ticket last minute, the report noted.

That’s because fares change 49 times on average — and change by an average of $98 each time, CheapAir.com found.

The prime booking window to buy cheap flights is about three months to three weeks in advance of the trip, a study from CheapAir.com found. Summit Art Creations – stock.adobe.com
The prime booking window to buy cheap flights is about three months to three weeks in advance of the trip, a study from CheapAir.com found. Summit Art Creations – stock.adobe.com
Travelers should have their tickets confirmed at least three weeks before departing, the study found. Goffkein – stock.adobe.com
Travelers should have their tickets confirmed at least three weeks before departing, the study found. Goffkein – stock.adobe.com

To be exact, the “best day” for jet-setters to purchase a ticket is 42 days before they intend to take off.

The travel site analyzed over 917 million airfares across the US to determine the best travel hacks that will likely hold for 2024.

Although price isn’t the only factor travelers take into consideration when choosing a flight, the survey found it’s the most important to most people.

Another thing to think about when booking a flight is what airport you’re traveling through.

To help travelers temper their expectations, airfare claims company AirHelp revealed the least and most stressful airports in the US.

Those who book their ticket too early could end up paying almost as much as if they booked the ticket last minute. BullRun – stock.adobe.com
Those who book their ticket too early could end up paying almost as much as if they booked the ticket last minute. BullRun – stock.adobe.com

AirHelp found California’s Sacramento International Airport to have “best handled January’s air travel,” according to the Sacramento Bee.

The Northern California airport had an uninterrupted on-time percentage of 82.3% of flights.

On the other hand, the most notable airport that “failed to deliver a stress-free experience to their passengers” last month was the Empire State’s Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

The travel site analyzed over 917 million airfares across the US to determine the best travel hacks that will likely hold for 2024. Julija – stock.adobe.com
The travel site analyzed over 917 million airfares across the US to determine the best travel hacks that will likely hold for 2024. Julija – stock.adobe.com

Airports with the most on-time flights in January

  • Sacramento International Airport: 82.3% of flights on time

  • San Jose International Airport: 82.1%

  • Tucson International Airport in Arizona: 81.3%

  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport in Nevada: 81.2%

  • Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia: 80.5%

Airports with the most disruptions

  • Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York: 60.8%

  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport: 61.2%

  • Des Moines International Airport: 62%

  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan: 62.2%

  • Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport: 64.8%