When’s the Best Time to Book Flights? A Month-by-Month Guide

Booking a flight is like playing a game of timing. Wait too long, and you could pay hundreds more. Book too early, and you might miss out on discounts. So, when is the best time to book flights? The truth is it depends on the time of year, your destination, and how flexible your plans are.

This month-by-month guide breaks down airfare trends and helps you spot cheap flight deals by month, so you can travel smarter and save money year-round.

General Flight Booking Tips Before You Start

Before we dive into the monthly breakdown, here are a few universal flight booking tips that will help you regardless of when or where you’re flying:

• For domestic travel, book 1 to 3 months in advance.

• For international travel, book 2 to 8 months in advance.

• Fly mid-week: Tuesday and Wednesday flights are often the cheapest.

• Book mid-week: Flight prices often drop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

• Use flight tools: Platforms like Google Flights, Hopper, and Skyscanner help track price changes and forecast airfare trends.

• Be flexible: Adjusting your travel dates by even a day or two can make a big difference in cost.

Month-by-Month Guide to Booking Flights

January: Post-Holiday Deals

Best for booking: Spring break and early summer vacations
Why it’s good: January is one of the best times to book flights thanks to the post-holiday travel slump. Airlines often release fare sales to kick off the year.

Pro tip: Look for fare drops around the second and third weeks of the month. Book summer flights now before the surge.

February: Early-Bird Summer Booking

Best for booking: Summer holidays, Memorial Day trips
Why it’s good: Airlines know people are starting to plan for summer, so early February often has solid deals before demand spikes.

Pro tip: Set price alerts for international summer destinations, you’ll often find rates lower than in March or April.

March: Book Early or Go Last-Minute

Best for booking: Spring break trips, late summer travel
Why it’s tricky: March can be expensive due to spring break travel. Flights fill quickly, especially to warm-weather destinations.

Pro tip: Either book very early (January or February), or look for last-minute weekend getaway deals mid-week.

April: Lock In Summer Flights

Best for booking: July and August vacations
Why it’s good: Prices start rising in late April, so this is your last real chance to score reasonable summer airfare.

Pro tip: If you’re flying internationally, now is the sweet spot to lock in both price and seat availability.

May: Last Call for Summer

Best for booking: Late summer, Labor Day weekend
Why it’s urgent: By mid-May, cheap summer flights start disappearing. If you haven’t booked, do it now.

Pro tip: Consider flying in early June instead of July for lower prices and lighter crowds.

June: Think Fall, Not Summer

Best for booking: Autumn travel, early holiday flights
Why it’s good: While summer prices peak, airlines quietly start offering deals for fall and even early winter.

Pro tip: If you’re planning a September or October getaway, now is the best time to book flights for that window.

July: High Season Pricing

Best for booking: Thanksgiving or winter holidays
Why it’s expensive: July is a peak travel month. Prices are high and seats are limited, especially on popular domestic routes.

Pro tip: Skip summer travel plans and look ahead to November and December. Booking now means you’ll likely pay less for holiday flights.

August: End-of-Summer Promos

Best for booking: Shoulder season trips (September–October)
Why it’s ideal: As kids return to school, airlines drop prices to fill remaining summer seats. You can also find cheap flights for fall.

Pro tip: Travel in the last two weeks of August or book now for late-September deals.

September: Book Holiday Flights

Best for booking: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year
Why it’s strategic: September offers a prime window for booking holiday airfare before prices skyrocket in October.

Pro tip: Set up price alerts now and monitor closely. The earlier you book for the holidays, the better.

October: Last Chance for Christmas Deals

Best for booking: Winter break and early spring getaways
Why it’s important: This is your final opportunity to snag lower holiday fares. By November, prices jump dramatically.

Pro tip: Consider flying on the actual holiday (e.g., Christmas Day) for big savings.

November: Book Spring & Shoulder Season

Best for booking: February and March travel
Why it works: As holiday flights fill up, airlines start promoting early-year travel deals.

Pro tip: Watch for Black Friday and Cyber Monday flight sales they often include great international options.

December: Score Post-Holiday Bargains

Best for booking: January and early spring vacations
Why it’s smart: After December 25, airlines release last-minute deals to boost post-holiday travel.

Pro tip: If your travel dates are flexible, flying between January 5–15 can be incredibly cheap.

Tools to Help You Track and Book Smart

Don’t rely on luck use tech to your advantage when deciding when to buy plane tickets:

• Google Flights: See price trends and date comparisons.

• Hopper: Predicts fare drops and sends real-time alerts.

• Skyscanner: Ideal for comparing routes and exploring cheaper destinations.

• Kayak: Offers fare alerts, price forecasts, and filters for flexible travel dates.

Final Flight Booking Tips and Takeaways

• Book earlier for peak seasons (summer, holidays), and wait for deals in off-peak months.

• Use multiple platforms and set fare alerts for your route.

• Be flexible flying mid-week or at off-peak hours can significantly cut costs.

• Consider nearby airports or one-stop flights to expand your savings.

• Start tracking prices early even if you’re not ready to book yet.

Conclusion

Knowing the best time to book flights isn’t just about finding a deal it’s about understanding travel patterns, being proactive, and planning smart. Whether you’re looking for cheap flight deals by month or just trying to avoid last-minute panic, this month-by-month guide gives you a clear roadmap to save on airfare year-round.