When to book an international flight (and when waiting pays off)

There’s no magic day, but there is a sensible window

Airline prices move with demand, so no single weekday or hour is always cheapest. What helps far more is booking inside a sensible window and being flexible with dates.

For long-haul trips, start watching prices a few months ahead and book once you see a fare you’re happy with. For short flights within Europe or the US, a few weeks to a couple of months ahead is usually enough outside school holidays.

Flexible dates beat perfect timing

Moving your trip by a day or two often makes a bigger difference than when you book. Midweek departures are frequently cheaper than Fridays and Sundays, and red-eye or early-morning flights can undercut midday ones.

• Compare a few departure dates either side of your plan
• Check nearby airports, such as Gatwick instead of Heathrow, or Newark instead of JFK
• Look at one-stop routes: a connection can save a lot on long-haul fares

Book early for peak dates

School holidays, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and big events such as Carnival fill up first. Cheaper seats on popular dates rarely come back, so if your dates are fixed, book as soon as the price looks reasonable.

Before you pay

When you choose a deal on Wallet Flights, you book with the provider. Check the baggage allowance, change and refund rules, and the final price with taxes on their page before paying. A slightly higher fare with a checked bag included can work out cheaper overall.