Searching for cheap flights is almost a sport nowadays. Feel like you need some help getting in shape to play it?
Cheapair.com is here to help – and its advice will no doubt be most welcome at this time of year, the season for splashing the cash on presents.
The travel search platform has produced a handy guide to the cheapest days to fly, how far in advance you should book plane tickets and whether clearing your browsing history really does land you better fares.
Cheapair.com is unequivocal about 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 the prices on you next time you come around.’
Travel website CheapAir.com states that the theory that clearing browsing history will magically show you the lowest flight prices is a myth
The reality is that as the date of the flight approaches and more seats are sold, prices go up.
In fact, from the time a trip first goes on sale, says Cheapair.com, fares change 49 times on average and change by an average of $43 (£34) each time.
California-based Cheapair.com urges passengers-in-waiting to leave their browser history alone and instead try to book flights that take off mid-week.
The site said: ‘Mid-week flights (Tuesday and Wednesday) almost always offer the best value. Travelling mid-week should always be a consideration for the budget shopper.’
It added: ‘Flying on Wednesday will save you almost $100 (£80) versus Sunday – the most expensive day to fly.’
In the website’s 2023 Annual Airfare Study, the ‘best day’ to book cheap flights was revealed as being 70 days before your travel date, ‘on average’.
California-based Cheapair.com urges passengers-in-waiting to leave their browser history alone and instead try to book flights that take off mid-week
The site added: ‘Does this mean you should always purchase your airline ticket exactly 70 days out from when you plan to depart? No. It’s an average – and a great guide to getting your best fare.’
Booking 13 to seven days in advance will, on average, be about $60 (£47) cheaper than buying a plane ticket in the worst possible zone – six to zero days before departure.
CheapAir.com said that fares in this zone are about $124 (£100) more expensive than booking in the prime window.