When is the Best Time to Book a Flight (Everyone has a theory)

If you've ever googled "When is the best time to book a flight?" you’ve probably come away more confused than when you started. Some say 6 weeks out. Others swear by Tuesday at 3 a.m. One friend tells you to book early, another says wait for last-minute deals. And quite honestly after reading many posts I also walked away confused but listed below is the consistency I found in my research.

✈️ For Domestic Flights: Aim for 1 to 3 Months in Advance

Generally, the sweet spot for booking domestic airfare is between 30 and 90 days before departure. That’s when airlines typically release their competitive pricing and when you're most likely to get a fair deal with decent seat options.

If you’re traveling during a busy time—spring break, summer holidays, or Thanksgiving—book 3 to 6 months out to get the best choice of flights and fares.

🌍 For International Flights: Book Earlier—Think 4 to 10 Months Out

For international travel, especially to destinations like Europe, Asia, or Africa, it pays to plan ahead. The best deals tend to show up 4 to 6 months before your travel date, but for peak seasons (hello, summer in Europe or cherry blossom season in Japan), go even earlier—up to 10 months out.

That gives you:

• Time to snag the best routes (no 15-hour layovers in Iceland unless that’s your thing),

• Access to premium economy or business class upgrades,

As always, I hope that you found this post useful. If you would like to learn more about my travel experiences and travel opportunities and thoughts on travel sign up to receive our newsletter. There is zero obligation, our main goal is to educate and perhaps attract you to joining us on a future girls over 50 trip.