Ready to plan your next trip? Expedia’s 2025 Air Travel Hacks report is here with data-driven strategies to make booking smarter and stress-free. This year’s insights, developed in collaboration with the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), reveal the best days to book and travel, the cheapest month for flights and the ideal booking windows—by using historical data to debunk common myths about booking flights. Here's what you need to know to save money on upcoming travel.
Expedia travel hacks
1. Book a summer trip for August, which is actually the cheapest month to travel.
Summer is not the most expensive time to travel. While February and March see the highest fares, travelers booking in August—when many kids are back in school—can save up to 12% on domestic flights and 7% on international flights.
2. Sundays are the best day to book.
Data shows airfares are typically 6% lower for domestic flights and 17% lower for international flights when booked on Sundays compared to Mondays or Fridays.
3. Flying on certain days can mean cheaper flights.
Departure day does affect flight costs. International flights are generally cheaper when departing on Thursdays, while Saturday is the most budget-friendly day for domestic flights.
4. Book during off-peak travel seasons to avoid crowded planes.
Flying during less busy times might just land you an empty seat next to you.
5. Morning flights are more likely to be on time.
Morning flights reduce the risk of disruptions. Delays and cancellations tend to snowball as the day progresses, so booking an early flight increases your odds of smooth travel.
6. Don't book your trip too far in advance.
The ideal booking window is closer than you think. For domestic flights, booking 1–3 months in advance can save you up to 25%. For international trips, the sweet spot is 18–29 days before departure, with even greater potential savings. However, it’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy—popular routes or peak travel times might leave you with limited options or higher prices if you wait too long.
Travel myths debunked
Airfare increases every year.
Prices actually dropped in 2024. Domestic economy tickets were 1% cheaper, and international economy tickets saw a 4% price decrease compared to 2023.
Premium tickets are always too expensive.
The gap between economy and premium fares is shrinking. Premium cabin tickets are now only about 10% more affordable than they were in 2019, making an upgrade more accessible than ever.
So there you have it: myths busted so you can save on air travel using Expedia's expert travel tips.