Knowing the Cheapest Days to Fly Will Reduce the Cost of Business Travel
Saving money on business travel is not just about choosing the cheapest airline and finding the best place to travel. Choosing the right days to fly can also make a big impact on prices. Read on for the full guide to finding the cheapest flight times for business travelers looking to cut costs.
Reducing Business Travel Expenses
Business travel can help you connect with clients, connect with others in your industry, and attend major events around the world. But all those flights can weigh on your budget. Fortunately, there are ways to save money on business travel while reaping the many benefits.
First, check sites like Airfarewatchdog and Skyscanner to find deals on affordable travel flights. Then consider changing your travel plans to get lower fares during slow travel seasons or days when flights are not usually full.
Of course, specific fares can vary depending on which countries you are flying to and whether you are looking for short domestic flights or long international connections. But the tips below can help you find the cheapest flights you can get.
What are the cheapest days of the week to fly?
Specific fees vary by airline and destination. But choosing days when people don’t usually fly may help you find better deals to save on small business travel. Travel days that typically have the lowest costs include Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
1. Tuesday
Travelers often choose to start their week by plane and return home during the weekend. Tuesday is placed in the middle of the week, yet is still close to the beginning, allowing business travelers to enjoy a few days at their destination before the weekend arrives. On your next trip, consider scheduling meetings throughout the week, except Mondays, to take advantage of the Tuesday deals.
2. On Wednesday
Wednesdays are often cheaper for the same reasons as Tuesdays. Most tourists tend to travel on weekends, while business travelers usually fly on Mondays and Fridays. By flying on a Wednesday, you can get in a few business days before the weekend or arrive at your destination a few days before an important trade show or weekend event.
3. Thursday
Thursday is late enough in the week that airlines don’t get many business travelers. But it’s too early for them to leave for the weekend. This could be a great day for those who want to spend the weekend at special events while still getting cheap travel deals.
4. On Saturdays
If you have to go on the weekend, Saturdays are usually the cheapest. Avoid business travelers returning home on Fridays and tourists leaving on Sundays. It’s usually not as cheap as Tuesday and Wednesday, but it can be useful for business owners who need to start the week at their destination.
Here are some examples…
Flights from Los Angeles to New York: Monday $129, Tuesday $107, Wednesday $108, Thursday $80, Friday $132, Saturday $118, Sunday $127
Flights from San Francisco to Atlanta: Monday $105, Tuesday $84, Wednesday $84, Thursday $115, Friday $115, Saturday $97, Sunday $126
Flights from New York to Frankfurt are priced as follows: Monday $436, Tuesday $336, Wednesday $311, Thursday $336, Friday $491, Saturday $417, and Sunday $411. Among these, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday and Wednesday.
Flights from Detroit to London: Monday $761, Tuesday $443, Wednesday $443, Thursday $523, Friday $543, Saturday $573, Sunday $846
Worst Times of the Year to Fly
The time of year you choose to fly can also have a big impact on prices. There is almost always a growing demand for holiday travel. For example, the weeks of Christmas and spring break are always busy because of the kids getting out of school. Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends are also popular travel times with high prices. And summer, in general, is usually busy.
These times don’t just come with higher-than-usual airfares. Hotels and other travel expenses such as rental cars are also often more expensive during these times due to high demand.
Cheapest Times of the Year to Fly
Alternatively, less busy seasons often come with lower airfares, hotels, and other travel costs. If you have a seasonal option when booking business travel, consider the following times of the year.
To fall
Fall often comes with reduced mobility needs. The kids are back from school and there are no major holidays that people are taking off work. Since everyone is usually done with their summer travel, September, October, and November (except Thanksgiving week) can be great for booking business travel.
In early December
People tend to book holiday travel during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Early December is between the two. So there is not that much work.
January
In January, people are done with their holiday travel, and many popular sites are less expensive because of the weather. This is usually a great place to find flight deals at the beginning of the year.
Cheapest Time of Day to Fly
The best times to fly are usually those that are less frequented by travelers. Since most people prefer to fly during convenient and convenient hours, you may need to wake up early or choose evening flights to get the best deals. The cheapest days to fly are usually:
- Between 6 and 7 a.m.: This can be good for business travelers who want to do morning meetings, but it’s too early for most leisure travelers.
- Midnight or later: Red-eye flights are difficult for those with children or anyone who wants to get a good night’s rest at their destination.
- Between 3 and 5 pm: The middle of the day does not attract many flyers, as it leaves little free time on either side of the flight.
How many days before the flight is the best price?
Exact prices vary depending on the domestic airport, destination, and time of year. However, the cheapest days to book usually fall around 70 days before the departure date. This is early enough that flights are rarely sold out but late enough that airlines are encouraged to fill seats.
Cheapest Day to Book Flights and Reduce Your Ticket Price
Tuesday midnight is usually the best time to find cheap flights. Airlines often release deals on this date. Saturdays and Sundays are also good days to make a reservation, as fewer people are browsing travel sites during work hours.
Cheapest Time to Book Flights and Save Money on Air Tickets
The time of day you book your flights can influence the prices of airline tickets. Here are some important moments to consider:
- Midnight: Midnight, especially on Tuesdays, can help you find the latest deals released by airlines.
- Morning: Many of these deals are still available for early morning searchers. Just make sure you log in before people start going to work and log in for the day.
- Afternoon: A few travelers tend to search for flights during the evening hours. If you choose Monday evening, you can get even better deals, as some airlines often issue discounts early on that day.
Finding Cheap Flight Deals: The Bottom Line
If your travel schedule is flexible, here are some great ways to save money on small business travel. You can save a lot of money by booking flights during the slow travel times. The best weeks and days to fly are usually weekdays and during seasons that are not popular with leisure travelers. You can also use sites like Skyscanner to find cheap flights and compare prices for different dates and from different destinations. Transfer flights sometimes also come at lower prices.
Does it matter what day of the week you book the flight?
There are several factors that influence flight prices, including the day of the week you make the reservation. For some airlines, Monday evening and Tuesday morning are the cheapest days to travel, as they tend to release deals at those times. Additionally, weekends may also present opportunities for deals as fewer travelers book flights on those days. Other considerations, such as the time of your reservation and the specific dates you choose to travel, may also affect the price.
When are the cheapest flights?
The cheapest days to fly are usually the ones that are less popular with other travelers. Weekday flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are usually the best days of the week for flight deals. Choosing the right week to fly, like between Thanksgiving and Christmas instead of those holiday weeks, can help you book flights more affordably as well.
Do flight prices drop on Sunday?
Flight prices don’t really go down on Sundays. In fact, most airlines adjust fees based on sold seats and prices from competitors on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, this also means that prices can go up these days. Therefore, Sunday can be one of the best days of the week to book flights if you expect the price to increase.
Is it cheaper to fly on Sunday or Monday?
Sunday and Monday are generally not the cheapest days to fly; the best deals are usually available mid-week. However, Sundays tend to be less expensive than Mondays, as many travelers start their week-long trip on Monday. For example, a flight from San Francisco to New York costs $148 on Sunday and $178 on Monday. That said, if your destination is a nearby, popular weekend getaway, you may find that Mondays offer lower fares. Be sure to check your preferred travel site to compare prices for both dates based on your specific itinerary.
Photo: Depositphotos