The moment somebody starts planning a vacation, destination wedding, or leisure trip, the first thing they know is the location and the schedule. It makes us wonder whether it is cheaper to book a flight as soon as you decide on a date, or should you wait for a better opportunity? There is quite a fuss about the sooner you buy tickets the cheaper it is. However, it is not always true or a wise choice. If you are planning a vacation and are constantly asking yourself, “How far in advance should I book a flight?” sit back and take notes!
Filtering the Best Time for Booking: Flexibility & Dates
As much as the day of the booking is important, so is the month from the departure date! The most important aspect of booking in advance is that it provides you with the satisfaction that at least you have fixed your mode of transportation. Moreover, you get plenty of options to choose from, as the seats start to fill near the departure date, and you may not find the one that pleases you. Advance reservation is your best bet at grabbing the most enticing deals. However, how soon before the departure date is the question that bugs most flyers.
One to Six months before the departure day is the window that you are looking for. Yet, it also depends on the nature of your flight (domestic or international), stopovers (if any), and flexibility. Those who are flying internationally should also consider the availability of visas and other documents when making the reservations. Let us dive deeper below for further analysis.
Domestic Flights:
While planning, you should first confirm the date of your departure, and then only you should ask, “How far in advance should I book a domestic flight?” Once you have set the date, wait until there is only two to one month left for your domestic flight departure. Two to one month prior to the date is the best time to book a domestic flight. You can not only find available flights but also get cheaper deals. The airfare increases as the departure date comes closer, and booking way too early may be expensive and inconvenient due to fluctuations in your plans.
When the airlines release their flight schedule, the tickets are expensive, and the price goes down after some time but then again rises near the date of the departure. Therefore, basically, the best time to book a ticket is between two to one month before the take-off date.
International Flights:
Isn’t getting your visa, passport renewal, and accommodation your matter of first concern when flying internationally? Well, you cannot decide on the period of your visa until you have the tickets for the flight. Depending on the period of your stay and the country you are flying to, you get your visa approval. Therefore, a perfect time to start making reservations with the airline is between six to three months before the departure date.
Stop asking, “How far in advance should I book an international flight?” Now that you know the perfect window for the best reservations. Another important fact you should know is that booking earlier than 8 months before the flight can be way too soon, just in case you have to change plans or fail to gather other resources for your international travels.
What is the earliest Time to book a flight?
If you are wondering whether you can book a flight a year in advance, you are in luck! Most airlines allow reservations up to 12 months in advance. However, it may not be such a wise option, considering the uncertainty of plans and the possibility of changes in your itinerary and schedule of the flight. In case you want to book a flight earlier than that – alas! But no airline, as of now, allow reservations so soon. You must also know the reason behind this criterion is that the carriers release their plans no earlier than a year, so it would be impossible to discover a flight that is flying two years in the future.
Yet, there is a ray of sunshine! Some carriers do have vacation plans and group reservations, such as for weddings and special events, for booking upto 18 months in advance.
Tips & Tricks for Grabbing the Best Deals
Here are a few insider tips for you to plan your journey accordingly and smartly. These pointers will also help you get an answer to “How far in advance should I book a flight in 2024?” You can save big and also make your reservation process more efficient with the help of these instructions.
- Buy tickets one to two months prior to the departure date and six to three months before.
- Midweek days, such as Wednesdays and Thursdays, are the best to grab cheap flight deals.
- Try to stick to the airlines that offer flexible booking options so you do not have to worry about cancellation and flight change charges.
- Don’t make reservations too early for the departure date; the flights may not be as cheap as you may get afterward, and if your plans fluctuate, there is a high chance of losing funds.
- If you are a frequent flyer, use miles and loyalty points to get deals and discounts on flight reservations.
- Some months are cheaper to fly than the rest of the year. Vacation seasons, such as December and June-July, are the most expensive, while off-season, February and September, are the cheapest.
Often Asked Questions
The best deals are when you book a few months before the departure. However, it varies as per the nature of your flight and the place you are flying to.
For domestic reservations, book eight to four weeks prior to the departure.
International reservations are best when made six months prior.
It may or may not get closer, depending on how close we are speaking of. On the date of the departure, the flight tickets are the most expensive, but they may be higher during the initial days as well. The cheapest airfare is a few months before the departure.
The most suitable time is neither too early nor too late. The optimal interval of time is two to six months before the flight, and that too based on the nature of the itinerary.
For international flights? No! Six months is rather the most appropriate time to book an international flight. However, booking domestic flights so early may not be a wise option.
