patrickwilliams
New Member
Hi everyone,
I keep seeing mixed advice about how early we should book flights to get the best prices, so I wanted to share what I’ve learned and also hear your experiences.
In general, airlines adjust fares based on demand, season, and seat availability. For most routes, the “sweet spot” tends to fall within a specific window:
Domestic flights: Usually 1–3 months in advance
International flights: Typically 3–6 months in advance
Peak seasons (holidays, summer, festivals): 6–9 months ahead is often safest
Off-season travel: Good deals can appear 30–60 days before departure
For long-haul routes like USA to India or Canada to India, fares usually start rising if you wait until the last 4–6 weeks. Airlines release the cheapest fare classes early, and once they’re gone, prices climb steadily.
Of course, flash sales or sudden price drops can happen, but they’re unpredictable. If your dates are fixed, booking early generally protects you from last-minute spikes.
What’s your strategy?
Do you lock in tickets months ahead, or wait and watch for price dips?
I keep seeing mixed advice about how early we should book flights to get the best prices, so I wanted to share what I’ve learned and also hear your experiences.
In general, airlines adjust fares based on demand, season, and seat availability. For most routes, the “sweet spot” tends to fall within a specific window:
Domestic flights: Usually 1–3 months in advance
International flights: Typically 3–6 months in advance
Peak seasons (holidays, summer, festivals): 6–9 months ahead is often safest
Off-season travel: Good deals can appear 30–60 days before departure
For long-haul routes like USA to India or Canada to India, fares usually start rising if you wait until the last 4–6 weeks. Airlines release the cheapest fare classes early, and once they’re gone, prices climb steadily.
Of course, flash sales or sudden price drops can happen, but they’re unpredictable. If your dates are fixed, booking early generally protects you from last-minute spikes.
What’s your strategy?
Do you lock in tickets months ahead, or wait and watch for price dips?
