Google Says Book Domestic Flights About 39 Days Out, International About 89
Google says domestic flights are historically cheapest about 39 days before departure and international fares about 89 days out. It says Tuesday booking is largely a myth and that weekday travel and connecting flights matter more.
The same data undercuts a common booking belief: that Tuesday is the best day to book a flight. Google says that idea is largely a myth, because the cheapest booking day produces only about a 1.4 percent saving compared with the most expensive booking day. The day of the week on which a traveler books matters far less than when and how the traveler flies, according to the report.
For domestic travel, flying on a weekday can save up to 20 percent, Google says. For travelers choosing between nonstop and connecting service, nonstop flights cost around 20 percent more than connecting options. Those differences can outweigh the small savings from picking a particular booking day.
Google already offers travel tools that try to make booking decisions easier. If travelers know their destination and travel dates, Google Flights and AI Mode in Search can show the 'cheapest time to book,' according to Android Authority. The feature is designed to indicate whether current fares are on the lower side or whether prices could change in the coming days.
The advice arrives as booking a flight can feel like a gamble for consumers. A fare may look reasonable, but travelers may hesitate in the hope that it will fall later. Waiting too long, however, can lead to higher prices. Google's data is meant to give travelers a clearer frame of reference before they decide whether to buy.