When to book flights
Updated 22 October 2026
The short answer
The deepest discounts appeared 31 to 60 days before departure: 15.6 % below the usual price on average. Within two weeks of departure the average drop falls to 11.3 %, and more than 180 days out it is 9.4 %.
Distance changes the window: under 1,500 km (short haul): 31 to 60 days (14.1 %), 1,500 to 3,000 km: 31 to 60 days (20.1 %), 3,000 to 6,000 km: 91 to 180 days (18.2 %), over 6,000 km (long haul): 91 to 180 days (12.5 %).
The weekday you book does not matter in Flare's data, the departure weekday matters a little: see the cheapest day to fly.
Best time to book: days before departure
| Days before departure | Average discount vs usual price | Median discount | Fares observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 7 days | 11.5 % | 5.9 % | 5,878 |
| 8 to 14 days | 11 % | 5.2 % | 4,985 |
| 15 to 30 days | 14.7 % | 9.7 % | 5,760 |
| 31 to 60 days | 15.6 % | 10.7 % | 8,223 |
| 61 to 90 days | 14.1 % | 8.4 % | 5,751 |
| 91 to 180 days | 14.7 % | 10.6 % | 7,200 |
| more than 180 days | 9.4 % | 0 % | 3,478 |
Fares found by Flare in its last scans (286 departure markets, 41,275 fares), grouped by the number of days between the scan and the departure date.
By flight distance
| Distance | Best window | Discount in that window | Fares in that window | Fares observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| under 1,500 km (short haul) | 31 to 60 days | 14.1 % | 2,585 | 11,174 |
| 1,500 to 3,000 km | 31 to 60 days | 20.1 % | 2,336 | 10,217 |
| 3,000 to 6,000 km | 91 to 180 days | 18.2 % | 1,565 | 8,333 |
| over 6,000 km (long haul) | 91 to 180 days | 12.5 % | 2,873 | 11,511 |
By destination region
| Destination | Best window | Discount in that window | Fares in that window | Fares observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 31 to 60 days | 17.9 % | 4,109 | 16,795 |
| North America | 15 to 30 days | 15.8 % | 400 | 3,154 |
| Caribbean and Central America | 91 to 180 days | 10.4 % | 222 | 1,120 |
| South America | 91 to 180 days | 13 % | 625 | 2,113 |
| Middle East | 91 to 180 days | 16.7 % | 464 | 2,878 |
| Asia | 91 to 180 days | 15.5 % | 2,077 | 10,190 |
| Africa | 15 to 30 days | 14.1 % | 492 | 4,097 |
| Oceania | 91 to 180 days | 13.6 % | 263 | 894 |
All departure markets combined. A window is shown only when it holds at least 100 fares.
By departure month
| Departure month | Average discount | Fares observed | Average days ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 11.1 % | 8,847 | 6 |
| November 2026 | 14.8 % | 10,500 | 24 |
| December 2026 | 13.9 % | 7,936 | 55 |
| January 2027 | 16.2 % | 4,736 | 85 |
| February 2027 | 15.4 % | 1,641 | 114 |
| March 2027 | 14.8 % | 3,232 | 142 |
| April 2027 | 10.4 % | 1,258 | 175 |
| May 2027 | 11.4 % | 948 | 204 |
| June 2027 | 7.9 % | 1,027 | 234 |
| July 2027 | 8 % | 661 | 265 |
| August 2027 | 8.9 % | 489 | 295 |
Months with at least 300 fares. Far-off months are seen further ahead, where discounts are shallower: compare the discount with the average lead, not only month to month.
Flights departing in November 2026
Fares departing in November 2026 seen by Flare in the last 3 days: 14.8 % below the usual price on average over 10,500 fares, booked 24 days ahead on average. For comparison, October 2026 departures sit at 11.1 % and December 2026 departures at 13.9 %.
How these numbers are measured
For each departure market, Flare keeps the best fares its scanner found in the last 3 days. Each fare carries a price, the usual price of its route and a departure date. The lead is the number of days between the scan and the departure. The discount is 1 minus price over usual price.
Cells with fewer than 100 fares are not shown, buckets and months with fewer than 300. Distances are great-circle distances between airports, regions follow the destination country.
Observations, not guarantees. Every number on this page is an observation from the fares Flare scans for its alerts. The usual price is Flare's own reference for each route, measured from its daily scans, and a discount is how far below that reference a fare Flare found was. Nothing here is a quote or a guarantee: check the final price with the provider before paying.
FAQ
How far in advance should I book a flight?
In Flare's data the deepest discounts appear 31 to 60 days before departure (15.6 % below the usual price). Short flights under 1,500 km peak 31 to 60 days, long-haul flights over 6,000 km 91 to 180 days. Booking earlier than 180 days rarely helps: 9.4 % on average.
Is it cheaper to book flights last minute?
Rarely. Within 14 days of departure the average discount is 11.3 %, against 15.6 % in the best window. Last-minute drops exist, but they are the exception, not the rule.
When should I book flights for November 2026?
Fares departing in November 2026 are currently 14.8 % below the usual price on average (10,500 fares), with an average lead of 24 days. For comparison, October 2026 departures sit at 11.1 % and December 2026 departures at 13.9 %. Book when a fare for your route is clearly below its usual price rather than on a fixed date.
When should I book flights to Europe?
For destinations in Europe, the deepest discounts appeared 31 to 60 days before departure (17.9 % on 4,109 fares). Flare mostly scans from European and North American markets, so most of these fares are short and medium haul.
Does the day of the week I book matter?
No. Across 20,932 routes followed every day, the price index moves by 0.5 points between the cheapest and the dearest booking weekday. The departure weekday moves discounts by 1.4 points. Details on the cheapest day to fly page.
Get the drop when it happens
Flare watches fares from the airports near you and alerts you when one falls well below its usual price, inside the right window or not.