The highly unpredictable and volatile airline industry has resulted in the concept of finding a cheap air fares changing every 9-13 months, if not sooner. Recent studies show that the best time to find cheap air fares in 2014 is as late as 5 weeks before departure. This is contradictory to the constant advice of the so called 'travel experts' to book as early as possible. The truth is there is no late as possible or early as possible when it comes to booking cheap flight tickets. The 'late' or 'early' notion in the airline booking realm is highly subjective and is heavily weighted towards the destination and route you will be flying.
The Prime Booking Window
The Prime Booking Window is industry slang for the sweet spot for the best time to book cheap air fares. The classic traveller dilemma is whether to book early or wait till the prices drop right before the departure date. Skyscanner crunched through millions of data and published a study which basically says – “Wait, but not for too long”. The UK portal says that five weeks is the average, optimal booking window to ensure you book flight tickets at the lowest possible price. However, this is just a tentative period and can swing either way depending on the destination. For example, the best time to book cheap flight ticket to Turkey from Singapore is 91 days from departure day. While the cheapest flight to the US is 151 days ahead.
Cheap Tickets on Low Cost Carriers
Skyscanner's study covered Low Cost Carriers and and interestingly, the best time to book discount airfares on LCC is as early as possible. On the other hand, charter airlines reduce their prices as the get closer to the departure date if they are unable to sell seats. Keep in mind that this works only if you don't have a specific destination in mind as there is no guarantee that you will cheap flight ticket for the place you have already decided to visit.
When Tickets Go On Sale For Specific Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic – Virgin Atlantic release sale seats 11 months in advance and the sale period is usually January
- Singapore Airlines – Singapore Airlines release discount fares 12 months in advance and the sale period runs from December to February
- British Airways – Sale fares are released approximately 1 year in advance and the sale period is January and September.
- Qantas – Qantas usually release sale seats 353 in advance and the sale period is year around except during peak travel seasons like December/January and July/August.
- Air New Zealand – The sale seats are released 11 months in advance and the sale period is during January and September.
Nguyen An Tra My
Martin Wynn
