Leadership and Companies
Holiday travellers can cut fares by flying midweek and booking early
Flight data shows earlier booking and weekday travel can reduce holiday airfare costs for U.S. departures.
What happened
An analysis of five years of flight data finds Christmas fares are typically lowest 56 days before departure, five days earlier than last year. Thanksgiving fares generally bottom out 34 days ahead, while international flights should be booked as early as possible. Flying Monday and returning Tuesday or Wednesday saves about 14% versus weekend travel.
Why it matters
Travellers can reduce costs by shifting dates and booking windows: connecting flights average 20% less than nonstop options, while weekday travel offers the clearest saving.
Source: Google Blog