Revealed: The cheapest days to fly, how far in advance to book flights for the best deal – and whether clearing your browser history really gets you better fares
Searching for cheap flights is almost a sport these days. Do you need help getting in shape to play it?
Cheapair.com is here to help – and its advice will no doubt be very welcome at this time of year, the season when you spend a lot of money on gifts.
The travel search platform has produced a handy manual to the cheapest days to fly, how far in advance you should book flights and whether clearing your browsing history will actually get you better fares.
Cheapair.com is unequivocal on the latter, stating that the theory that clearing browsing history will magically show you the lowest flight prices is a myth.
The site said: ‘Airlines don’t track your searches so they can raise prices the next time you visit.’
Travel website CheapAir.com says the theory that clearing browsing history will magically show the lowest flight prices is a myth
The reality is that as the date of the flight approaches and more seats are sold, prices increase.
From the time a trip first goes on sale, fares change an average of 49 times, each time by an average of $43 (£34).
California-based Cheapair.com is urging waiting passengers to leave their browser history alone and instead book flights departing mid-week.
The site stated: ‘Midweek flights (Tuesday and Wednesday) almost always offer the best price. Traveling during the week should always be a consideration for the budget shopper.”
It added: ‘Flying on Wednesday will save you almost $100 (£80) compared to Sunday – the most expensive day to fly.’
On the website Annual air travel study 2023the ‘best day’ to book cheap flights was found to be ‘on average’ 70 days before your travel date.
California-based Cheapair.com is urging waiting passengers to leave their browser history alone and instead book flights departing mid-week
The site added: ‘Does this mean you always have to buy your plane ticket exactly 70 days before departure? No. It’s an average – and a good guide to getting the best rate.’
Booking 13 to seven days in advance will be on average around €60 (£47) cheaper than buying a plane ticket in the worst possible zone – six to zero days before departure.
CheapAir.com said fares in this zone are around $124 (£100) more expensive than prime window bookings.