Flexibility is Key to Scoring Lower Airfares
Travelers seeking affordable flights often face challenges akin to finding decent snacks onboard, but experts agree on one primary strategy: flexibility. James Byers, head of the product team at Google Flights, identifies flexibility in travel dates as the “No. 1 advice, always” for securing better airfare deals.
This flexibility may involve flying midweek instead of weekends or traveling outside peak seasons. Small adjustments, such as shifting departure dates by a day or two, can lead to substantial savings.
Cheapest Days to Fly
Analysis of Google Flights data spanning January 2021 to August 2025 reveals that Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are the least expensive days for air travel, with tickets averaging 13% less than weekend flights. Hopper’s 2025 travel hacks report supports this, noting midweek departures save about $42 per ticket, roughly 14% on domestic airfare.
Conversely, Sundays are typically the priciest days due to high airport traffic from weekend travelers returning home. As Hopper’s lead economist Hayley Berg advises, departing midweek and returning on Saturday or Monday can yield significant savings.
However, holiday periods disrupt these patterns. For instance, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is often the most expensive day to fly during that season, as noted by travel analyst Sally French of NerdWallet.
Hotel Savings Linked to Travel Timing
Beyond airfare, timing affects hotel costs. Avoiding weekend check-ins can reduce lodging expenses by over 20%, equating to approximately $50 less per night compared to Friday or Saturday stays, according to Hopper data.
Debunking the Booking Day Myth
Contrary to popular belief, the day of the week when a ticket is purchased has minimal influence on price. While Tuesday has historically been cited as the cheapest booking day, Google Flights data shows only a marginal 1.3% difference compared to Sunday. Sally French emphasizes that the actual travel date, not the booking date, drives cost variations.
Traveling Outside Peak Seasons
Adjusting travel plans to avoid peak seasons can further reduce costs. Flying during shoulder or off-peak seasons often results in lower fares. Hopper data indicates domestic travelers in 2024 saved an average of 40%, or about $150, by shifting trips from summer to September or October.
Nonetheless, flexibility is not always feasible. Factors such as school calendars, job constraints, and fixed tour schedules may limit travelers’ ability to adjust dates.
Additional Airfare Savings Strategies
Other cost-saving measures include opting for flights with layovers, which Google Flights reports can reduce prices by about 22% compared to nonstop flights. Travelers should prepare for potential baggage delays when choosing layovers by packing essentials in carry-on luggage.
Booking flights in advance also helps; the lowest prices typically appear around 39 days before domestic departures and 49 days before international flights, although this varies by destination.
FinOracleAI — Market View
The emphasis on travel date flexibility as a key to lower airfare aligns with established consumer behavior trends and is unlikely to cause immediate market disruption. Airlines may experience variable demand shifts toward midweek flights, potentially smoothing load factors. However, inflexible travelers and peak travel periods will continue to sustain premium pricing. Watch for evolving booking patterns and how airlines adjust pricing strategies, especially around holidays and shoulder seasons.
Impact: neutral
