CheapAir.com Study Reveals the Best Times to Book International Flights
Online travel agency crunches 350 million airfares to help travelers get the best deals on flights between the U.S. and international destinations
CALABASAS, CA (April 5, 2018) – CheapAir.com today released the results of its 2018 International Airfare Study, which determined the best and worst times to buy tickets. The online travel agency crunched more than 350 million airfares to 3,000 international markets. The study found that the best time to bargain hunt can vary significantly by international region, and that average ticket prices fell in six out of the eight regions compared to 2017.
“International flights cost two and half times more than domestic flights on average, so getting the timing right can really pay off,” said Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com. “Each travel region is different, but with the data we crunched, you can book within range of the lowest fare with proper planning. If the price drops after you book with CheapAir.com, we also cover the difference up to $100.”
For the International Airfare Study, CheapAir.com crunched 350 million airfares and over 1 million trips to more than 3,000 international markets. For eight regions, CheapAir.com identified the “Prime Booking Window,” the period in which airfares tend to be within 5% of the lowest price, as well as the least expensive day to book your airline ticket, on average, and the least expensive travel days of the week.
Caribbean
• Prime Booking Window: 36 to 321 days in advance
• Least expensive day to book: 207 days from departure
• Average Low Fare: $545
• Least expensive days of the week to fly: Tuesday and Wednesday
• Tip: Avoid the holidays and fall hurricanes. Travel in January after the holidays for the lowest average fares ($496)
Canada
• Prime Booking Window: 21 to 148 days in advance
• Least expensive day to book: 66 days from departure
• Average Low Fare: $427
• Least expensive days of the week to fly: Tuesday and Wednesday
• Tip: October is cheap ($398) and often the prime time to see fall colors
Mexico and Central America
• Prime Booking Window: 14 to 174 days in advance
• Least expensive day to book: 70 days from departure
• Average Low Fare: $489
• Least expensive days of the week to fly: Tuesday and Wednesday
• Tip: Take Spring Break in February versus March or April to save nearly $30 per ticket
South America
• Prime Booking Window: 37 to 320 days in advance
• Least expensive day to book: 110 days from departure
• Average Low Fare: $845
• Least expensive days of the week to fly: Tuesday and Wednesday
• Tip: Save $58 off the average in February during South America’s summer.
Europe
• Prime Booking Window: 50 to 252 days in advance
• Least expensive day to book: 160 days from departure
• Average Low Fare: $1151
• Least expensive days of the week to fly: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
• Tip: Avoid June and July, peak months for American travelers and when prices spike
Asia
• Prime Booking Window: 40 to 231 in advance
• Least expensive day to book: 120 days from departure
• Average Low Fare: $1113
• Least expensive days of the week to fly: Tuesday and Wednesday
• Tip: Prices dip February through April and September through November
South Pacific
• Prime Booking Window: 54 to 304 days in advance
• Least expensive day to book: 197 days from departure
• Average Low Fare: $1708
• Least expensive days of the week to fly: Tuesday and Wednesday
• Tip: Fares cost $470 more than the next most expensive market. Leave the kids at home!
Middle East and Africa
• Prime Booking Window: 96 to 287
• Least expensive day to book: 199 days from departure
• Average Low Fare: $1238
• Least expensive days of the week to fly: Tuesday and Wednesday
• Tip: Fares change by an average of $119, more than any other market. Monitor closely.
Visit CheapAir.com’s blog to read the 2018 International Airfare Study
Use CheapAir.com’s When to Buy Flights widget to find the Prime Booking Window for any route.
About CheapAir ®
Headquartered in Calabasas, CA, CheapAir.com® and its team of over 100 travel enthusiasts use cutting edge technology, a boatload of airfare data, and superior customer service to make it easier and less stressful to buy affordable airline tickets. Our proprietary airfare shopping engine uses a patented algorithm that scours the web for the best deals and the most comfortable flights, and we show fares and flight options in a simple, easy to navigate display that includes which flights have which in-flight amenities. We offer monthly payments so you can Fly Now and Pay Later™, and Price Drop Payback™, which reimburses you with a travel voucher up to $100 per ticket if the fare drops before the trip. For expert travel advice, deals and inspiration connect with CheapAir on Facebook and CheapAir on Twitter.
CEO Jeff Klee started CheapAir in 1989 from his college dorm room after getting a crash course in the airline industry from planning his own backpacking trip through Europe on a student’s budget. CheapAir.com still takes a creative approach to fare finding and, including its corporate travel services arm, Amtrav, has helped over three million people buy plane tickets with confidence