The truth is, most airlines open their schedules about a year ahead, but that doesn’t mean buying tickets that early always gets you cheap flights . Whether you’re planning your next adventure or hunting for Christmas flights, knowing when to buy flights can make a significant difference in your travel budget.
At Kiwi.com, we help you travel smarter by breaking down the best times to book flights, whether you’re flying short-haul with Wizz Air or jetting off on international trips with British Airways or Alaska Airlines. Let’s dive into the sweet spot for booking your next trip and how to snag the best deal on flight tickets.
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When is the earliest you can book a flight on major airlines?
Most airlines release their flight schedules roughly 11 to 12 months in advance, but this varies by carrier and route. Here’s a quick look at when you can start booking with some of the most popular airlines:
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| Airline | Earliest Booking Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Up to 355 days (about 12 months) | Applies to both cash and award tickets |
| Lufthansa | Up to 365 days (1 year) | Common for many full-service airlines |
| American Airlines | Around 330 days (11 months) | Typical for major US carriers |
| Alaska Airlines | About 330 days | Popular for domestic and some international trips |
| Wizz Air | 10–13 months | Low-cost carrier with seasonal seat drops |
| EasyJet | 10–13 months | Similar to Wizz Air, releases seats in batches |
| Many Airlines | 9–12 months | Most legacy and low-cost carriers follow this |
So, if you’re dreaming about your next destination a year ahead, you can often start looking for available flights then. But remember, just because you can buy airline tickets that early doesn’t mean you should, but more on that below.
How far in advance should you book domestic flights?
For domestic flights or short-haul trips within Europe (think flights up to about 3 hours), the best time to buy flights is usually closer to departure than you might expect. Research from Skyscanner and Google Flights shows:
- Good rule: Book 1 to 3 months in advance during normal travel periods.
- For peak travel periods like summer holidays or Christmas, aim to book 2 to 4 months in advance to secure the best fares and seat availability.
- Last-minute deals can pop up, but they’re rare and often pricier unless a low-cost carrier like Wizz Air or easyJet dumps surplus seats.
If you’re flexible with your travel dates and can avoid peak season, booking within this window can save you a significant difference compared to booking too early or too late.
How far in advance should you book international flights?
When it comes to international travel, especially long-haul flights from Europe to the US, Asia, or Africa, timing becomes more critical. Here’s the scoop:
- For non-peak seasons, booking 3 to 5 months in advance usually nets the best fares.
- During peak season (think summer holidays, Thanksgiving flights, Christmas/New Year), it’s wise to book 6 to 8 months ahead to find the best deal and ensure seat availability.
- If you’re using award tickets or miles, buy flights as soon as the schedule opens (up to 12 months ahead) because award seats are limited and go fast.
This timing helps you avoid the stress of last-minute price surges and limited flight options on popular routes.
Does booking flights well in advance save you money?
Here’s the kicker: booking flights very early doesn’t usually save you money on cash tickets. Airlines know that travelers who book a year ahead often have fixed plans, such as weddings, cruises, or major events, so they price those tickets higher, knowing these travelers are less price-sensitive.
Prices tend to fluctuate as the departure date approaches. Sometimes fares drop, sometimes they rise, depending on demand and seat availability. The lowest prices typically appear in a “Goldilocks” window, not too early, not too late.
Exceptions where early booking pays off:
- You’re traveling during peak season on a popular route and want specific flight times or direct routes.
- You’re booking award seats with miles on airlines like British Airways or American Airlines, where availability is limited, and you want to lock in your seats early.
For everyone else, patience and timing are your best friends.
Tips for booking cheap flights
Ready to cut costs and find great deals on airline tickets? Here are some expert-backed tips to help you travel smarter and save on your next trip:
Use flight tracking tools
Tools like Google Flights offer flexible date searches and price history insights that help you spot price variations and the best times to buy flights.
These tools show you available flights across many airlines and routes, making it easier to compare and pick the best deal. Tracking prices over time can reveal patterns in popular destinations, helping you decide when to strike for the best fares.
Set up price alerts
Don’t rely on guesswork. Set up deal alerts on platforms like Kiwi.com or Google Flights to get notified when prices drop for your preferred routes or travel dates.
This way, you’ll never miss out on great deals or last minute flights that suddenly become available. Alerts are especially useful if your travel plans are flexible or if you’re targeting flights to the best destinations during off-peak times.
Book within the Goldilocks window
The “Goldilocks window” is the ideal booking period when fares are neither too high nor too low, they are just right. For most travelers:
- Domestic/short-haul: 1–3 months before departure
- International/long-haul: 3–5 months (non-peak), 6–8 months (peak season)
Waiting for this sweet spot can save you a significant difference compared to booking too early or too late. While booking early might seem like a safe bet, it can sometimes mean paying more for a given flight because airlines know early birds are less price sensitive.
Consider alternative airports and dates
Flexibility pays off. Shifting your travel dates by a day or two or flying from a nearby airport can slash prices. For example, flying out of London Gatwick instead of Heathrow or considering Brussels Charleroi instead of Brussels Airport might unlock cheaper flights.
This is especially true if your specific dates are fixed, but you can adjust your departure or arrival airport. Exploring nearby airports can open up more flight options and better prices on routes to popular destinations.
Mix and match airlines (or book one-ways)
Booking two one-way tickets on different airlines can sometimes be cheaper than a round-trip ticket. For example, flying out with Wizz Air and returning with British Airways or Alaska Airlines might save you money and offer more flight options.
This strategy also helps if you want to combine low-cost carriers with full-service airlines to balance price and comfort. Mixing and matching can be a game-changer when trying to find cheap flights on busy routes or during peak travel periods.
Final thoughts
Booking your flights at the right time can save a great deal on airline tickets, but it’s not just about booking as early as possible. The best fares usually appear within a Goldilocks window – not too early, not too late. So, you should use tools like Google Flights and Kiwi.com ’s price alerts to track fares and grab the lowest prices for your next adventure.
Whether you’re planning a quick domestic trip or a long-haul international journey, being flexible with your travel plans, dates, and airports can help you find the best deal and avoid paying more than you need to.
So, get ready to fly smarter, save money, and enjoy your next destination without the stress.
FAQs
When do airlines have sales?
Airlines often have sales during off-peak seasons or special events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or after major holidays. Signing up for newsletters and deal alerts helps you catch these limited-time offers.
When do airlines release flight schedules?
Most major airlines release their schedules about 11 to 12 months in advance. Low-cost carriers like Wizz Air and easyJet may release flights in batches, roughly 10–13 months ahead.
Do flight prices go down closer to the date?
Flight prices can fluctuate. Sometimes they drop if airlines want to fill seats, but last-minute bookings are usually more expensive, especially during peak travel periods. It’s safer to book within the recommended windows for the best prices.
