Finding the best flight deals is a bit of an art form, but there’s also some science — or at least economics — involved. There are only two definitive rules: Flights open for booking about a year in advance, and the airfare will change often between then and takeoff. So, as a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to book plane tickets well in advance, as prices spike sharply in the days preceding the flight, taking advantage of any last-minute travelers

Many factors affect the fluctuating prices of airplane tickets, such as the destination and time of year. In some cases, it is best to book tickets only a few weeks in advance, while in others, reserving tickets a few months ahead can be more beneficial, especially for trips over a big travel holiday when demand is high.

Following the pandemic, airfare rose to astonishing highs in 2022. And while airfare will remain high this year, airfare tracking site Hopper predicts it will drop slightly. In its Consumer Travel Index — Q1 2023The high prices experienced by customers of the company are due to rising costs, increased demand, and limited supply. The company’s costs are on the rise, and demand has surged, leading to a constrained supply, resulting in increased prices.

Nonetheless, good deals can still be found, but they are all about big-picture timing. The bottom line is that scoring the best flight deals can be tricky, but we’re here to help you find the best flights for your upcoming travel. Our first tip: Start tracking flight prices as early as possible so you can keep an eye on cost fluctuations. Use Google Flights or Hopper

Related: The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2023

According to a 2022 study by CheapAir.comOn average, the ideal time to purchase domestic plane tickets is about 76 days before departure. However, it’s important to note that this is just an average – you don’t necessarily need to book your tickets exactly 76 days in advance. In fact, CheapAir.com’s prime booking window is quite expansive – it ranges from 127 to 21 days before your travel date – about a month longer than the 2021 study’s findings.

For domestic trips, prices tend to be highest when tickets are first released – usually about a year in advance. As time passes, these prices gradually decrease until the prime booking window, which is roughly four months to three weeks before the flight. If you need to travel last-minute, be prepared for a large increase in cost. According to CheapAir.com, this is to be expected.

Overall, you’re better off booking earlier rather than later for international travel — ideally around six months before your desired flights, per Expedia. But there is some regional variance. CheapAir.com determined

Canada:

Mexico:

The Caribbean:

Central America:

South America:

Europe:

Africa:

Oceania/South Pacific:

Asia:

Middle East:

Booking in advance is the best way to secure great deals on international airfare. However, to really save money, it is important to avoid peak travel times. This includes the summer and big holidays, both in your home country and the destination country. Furthermore, make sure to keep an eye out for any additional fees and taxes that could be applied to your ticket. By taking the time to plan ahead and look for deals, it is possible to get a great price on your international flight.

Unfortunately, summer is one of the busiest times of year to travel, so it can be difficult to find deals on airfare. However, with some careful planning and research, you can still find great deals on flights. Expedia and Hopper both suggest booking flights at least six months in advance to get the best prices. Prices tend to peak in June and then gradually decrease throughout July and August, so late summer travel may be your best bet for a great deal. With the right strategies, you can find a great deal on summer airfare.

You might think it’s a little too soon to be thinking about holiday travel, and generally speaking, you’d be right — the best time to book flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas is usually in SeptemberIt’s never too early to start monitoring flight prices! That way, you can be sure to book the perfect flight as soon as you find the price that’s just right for you. HTML syntax can be fixed and the structure of the text improved to make sure it is written in fluent English and is 100% human-written in an active voice. Typos can be ignored.

If you’re someone who travels frequently, here’s a great hack: book holiday flights whenever you find a good deal, but make sure to select a fare that gives you a credit if you cancel. That way, if prices drop between the time of booking and September, you can cancel your original ticket and use the credit to book the cheaper fare. The only downside is that you’ll still have some leftover credit, but you can use that for a future flight. Just don’t let it expire!