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Khaleej Times
28-01-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE travel: Best days to book tickets, save up to 22% on flights revealed
Did you know that Sunday is the most budget-friendly day to book a flight but it is also the most expensive day of the week to fly? The day of the week does matter when booking tickets and travelling. As per the 2025 Air Hacks Report released by travel brand Expedia on Tuesday, "on average, travellers can save 16 per cent by booking on Sunday versus Friday but stand to lose 16 per cent by flying on Sunday versus Thursday". Analysing air ticketing database in the world – through collaboration with Airlines Reporting Corporation and data provider OAG – here are air travel hacks to get more value for your money: Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. When to book Travellers booking on Sundays can save an average of 16 per cent on international flights compared to Fridays. Travellers who wait for the weekend to book their premium class seats can save an average of 22 per cent compared to those who book on a Thursday. Book international airfare six to 12 days before departure to maximise savings. Travellers who booked during this ideal window saved an average of 21 per cent compared to those who booked 128 to 138 days in advance, which was the 'worst' time to book. When to travel Travellers who depart on Thursdays save an average of nine per cent compared to those who depart on Mondays, the most expensive day to start an international trip. Flights departing between 9pm and 3am have an eight per cent less chance of being cancelled compared to other times. Afternoon (3pm – 9pm) flights have a 20 per cent higher chance of being cancelled compared to those that leave at night time. Cancellations are lowest in June and highest in April. January is the cheapest month for economy tickets. Travellers can save up to 13 per cent by travelling in January, compared to June – the most expensive month for economy tickets. July is the cheapest month for premium tickets. Travellers can save up to 14 per cent by travelling in summer, compared to October – the most expensive month for premium tickets. Travellers who fly on Tuesdays enjoy quieter airports. While it may not always be the cheapest day to travel, it's the best choice for those seeking a more relaxed trip. Travel smart Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations, underscored: 'It makes sense to trust the billions of data points from across the world and every airline that goes into the Expedia Air Hacks report.' 'It's always smart to keep the 2025 Air Hacks in mind when booking flights. Airfares are down; the peak of summer is not the most expensive time to fly, and booking too far out can actually cost you money – these realities fly in the face of advice floating around the internet,' she added.
USA Today
28-01-2025
- USA Today
Exclusive: Expedia's 8 data-driven tips for booking cheaper flights (including best day)
Exclusive: Expedia's 8 data-driven tips for booking cheaper flights (including best day) Show Caption Hide Caption The myth of travel hacks, debunked There's no secret formula for cheap flights. Here's the truth about travel "hacks." Cruising Altitude A new report debunks common myths about airline tickets using historical booking and pricing trends. The cheapest month to travel is August while the most expensive months are February and March. Contrary to popular belief, domestic and international economy ticket prices were slightly lower in 2024 compared to 2023. There may be no such thing as a travel hack, but that doesn't mean there's no strategy for saving and optimizing your flights. A new report from Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) analyzes historical booking and pricing trends to debunk some common myths about airline tickets. It offers insights into the best strategies for booking your trips. 'ARC's data provided valuable insights into debunking travel myths for Expedia's 2025 Air Hacks Report that will go a long way to helping travelers prepare for their 2025 vacations,' Chuck Thackston, managing director of data science and research at ARC, said in a statement. 'In 2025, affordable premium and economy fares can help U.S. passengers as they continue to prioritize international travel with their discretionary spending to explore new destinations around the world.' Here's what Expedia and ARC found about eight common flight myths. 1. Summer is the most expensive time to travel It turns out August is the cheapest month to travel, with many kids already returning to school. February and March are actually the most expensive times to fly. Travelers can save up to 12% on domestic flights and up to 7% on international flights by taking a trip in August instead of February. 2. There's no best day of the week to book flights It's the myth that everyone has an opinion about, and while there are many skeptics, the data shows that Sunday is actually the best day to book. According to Expedia and ARC, airfares are typically 6% lower for domestic flights and 17% lower for international flights when booked on Sundays compared to Mondays or Fridays. 3. Departure day has no bearing on the cost of a flight "It's not just when you book, it's when you fly," the report said. Flight prices for Thursday international departures and Saturday domestic departures are typically lower than other days of the week, regardless of destination or class of travel. 4. The further ahead you book, the cheaper it will be The best booking window just keeps getting closer to the departure date. Booking one to three months ahead for a domestic flight could yield up to 25% savings compared to last-minute bookings. For international flights, the potential savings are even higher. Just 18 to 29 days before departure is when the lowest fares are often posted. But, Expedia's experts warn, it's a high-risk, high-reward strategy. On popular routes or during peak travel times, your preferred flights could be sold out, and fares could surge if you wait too long. 5. Airfare goes up every year Tickets were slightly cheaper in 2024 than they were in 2023. On average, domestic economy ticket prices were 1% lower, and international economy tickets were 4% less expensive year-over-year. Story continues below. 6. Premium tickets are too expensive Airlines are getting smarter about pricing their premium cabins, and more people are buying them than ever. According to Expedia and ARC's report, the price difference between an economy and a premium cabin ticket is 10% smaller now than it was in 2019. 7. Flights are always full Sure, if you only travel during peak times. If you can get away in less busy seasons, you may snag that empty adjacent seat. Cruising Altitude: How major airlines recovered after a southern winter storm 8. Cancellations and delays can't be avoided While it's true that flight delays and cancellations are largely out of a passenger's control, booking smart can decrease the risk of running into those snags. Morning flights are much less likely to be canceled because cancellations typically snowball as the day goes on. These tips are all based on general trends, but Expedia and other platforms also have tools to help guarantee the best flight deals. 'It's smart to keep the 2025 Air Hacks in mind when booking flights, but the best hack is to let technology find the best value. Set up Price Alerts, rely on Price Drop Protection to swoop in and reimburse you if prices drop, and use Expedia's new Flight Deals tool to see where you can fly for at least 20% lower than typical,' Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations, said in a statement. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@
