Booking Windows for Flights

Airlines typically allow bookings 330 to 360 days in advance for most major carriers like American, Delta, and United, while low-cost options like Southwest or Allegiant open schedules 6 to 9 months ahead. Award tickets using miles often follow similar timelines, with programs like Aeroplan or Etihad Guest opening up to 360 days out, though availability depends on both the booking and operating airlines. Schedules may extend periodically, so subscribing to airline newsletters can alert you to new openings.

Optimal Timing for Best Deals

For domestic flights, book 1 to 3 months in advance to secure the lowest fares, as prices often drop in this "Goldilocks window" before rising closer to departure. International flights yield better deals when booked 2 to 8 months ahead, especially for high-demand routes or peak seasons like summer or holidays, where waiting too long can increase costs by up to $124 per ticket. Start monitoring prices 3-4 months out for domestic and 6-7 months for international to track fluctuations using tools like Google Flights.

Factors Influencing Booking Strategy

Peak periods, such as mid-June to mid-August or Christmas, require earlier booking—up to 10 months for international—to avoid limited options and higher demand-driven prices. Flexibility with dates and routes helps; avoid low- competition destinations, and book directly with airlines for potential perks like free changes within 24 hours. While 8 months is rarely too early for international trips, domestic deals peak later, so set price alerts on apps like Hopper or Kayak to notify you of drops.