Sunday is the cheapest day to book your flight

Fridays are the best day to travel

Tuesdays are the least busy day to travel

The ideal booking window for the lowest ticket price is 13-21 days before travel

Expedia and TikTok star Jeenie Weenie debunk flight myths for smarter travel in 2025

Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report is debunking myths, revealing Friday is the cheapest day to travel, with Sunday being the most expensive. Average air ticket prices are 26%[1] more affordable on a Friday than on a Sunday.

In this year’s report, Expedia® challenges common travel misconceptions with an analysis of billions of data points and the most extensive air ticketing database in the world, through collaboration with the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) and (OAG).

• Myth #1“The day of the week I book my flight doesn’t matter.”
  Busted: Booking on a Sunday can keep more in your wallet.

• Myth #2 “The day of the week I travel doesn’t affect the cost.”
  Busted: Friday is the cheapest day to depart.
  • It’s not just when you book, it’s when you fly. International travellers who depart on Friday instead of Sunday can save up to 14%. On the domestic front, Saturday is the cheapest day to fly—travellers can save up to 18% compared to flying on a Monday, which is the most expensive day to travel.[3]

• Myth #3 “The further ahead you book, the cheaper it will be.”
  Busted: 13 to 21 days out is the magic window.
  • Booking too far in advance can actually cost travellers. Booking 13 to 21 days before their international flight is the sweet spot for savings – up to 8% less than those who book two months ahead.[4]
  • Domestic flights are more affordable when booked 170 – 180 days before travel – saving up to 36% compared to leaving it to the last minute (6 – 12 days out).

• Myth#4 “Every flight I take always seems full”
  Busted: Carefully choosing the day and month you travel can mean less crowds. Tuesday is the quietest day of the week to travel, with January being the quietest month.

• Myth #5: “Premium tickets are always too expensive to consider.”
  Busted: Premium fare is now lower than in 2019.
  • Thinking of upgrading? It’s more affordable than ever. The price gap between premium and economy tickets is 9% smaller than it was pre pandemic.
  • January is the cheapest month to travel in premium classes, with October being the most expensive – travelling premium in January instead of October can save 19%.

• Booking on the right day can make a world of difference. Sunday is officially the cheapest day to book flights, with savings of up to 22% compared to booking on a Friday.[2]

            “It’s smart to keep the 2025 Air Hacks in mind when booking flights, but the best hack is to let technology find the best value. Set up Expedia’s Flight Price Tracker on the app. It notifies you when flight prices change and uses data to help you decide when to book,” said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations.

“Sunday is the cheapest day to book your flight, with Friday being the best day to travel, and booking too far out can actually cost you money – these realities fly in the face of advice floating around the internet,” said Melanie Fish. “It makes sense to trust the billions of data points from across the world and every airline that go into the Expedia Air Hacks report.”

“ARC’s data provided valuable insights into debunking travel myths for Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report that will go a long way to helping travelers prepare for their 2025 vacations,” said Chuck Thackston, managing director of data science and research at ARC. “In 2025, affordable premium and economy fares can help passengers as they continue to prioritise international travel with their discretionary spending to explore new destinations around the world.”

            Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report also uncovers the most popular and trending destinations Brits are flying to. Internationally, Amsterdam, Bangkok and New York top the list, and domestically it’s London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

            Trending international destinations, which are seeing a rise in popularity, include Dallas, USA (+230%), Tirana, Albania (+130%) and Lombok, Indonesia (+125%). Trending domestic destinations experiencing a significant rise in visitors, include London (+360%), East Midlands (+220%) and Manchester, Greater Manchester (+185%).^[5]

For more insights and data, read the full 2025 Air Hacks Report below.

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ENDS

Jeenie Weenie’s Expert Hacks

Expedia has partnered with TikTok star and former flight attendant Jeenie Weenie, who is here to help hack your way to 30,000 feet. She shares her top hacks for bagging upgrades and tips on air etiquette. Jeenie has over 10 million followers on TikTok and is known for her hilarious videos of her life as a flight attendant.

Expedia’s Air Hacks reveal that Tuesday is the quietest day of the week to travel, so travelling then may mean you have less need to worry about reclining on someone or fighting for overhead bin space. Even if your flight isn’t full, take note of these tips to make your flight as comfortable as possible.

Air Etiquette Tips

• The Pillowcase Hack – When I travel, I maximise my carry-on allowance by using this pillowcase tip. I stuff a pillowcase with clothes or even a jacket, to save space in my luggage and to create the perfect in-flight pillow. It means not only can you pack more clothes, but you can sleep more comfortably onboard. Just be mindful that rules vary by airline on what’s allowed in your bag.
• Keep your skin hydrated with an in-flight beauty routine: Take care of your skin and do your beauty routine right in your seat—just be mindful of other passengers. I use hydrating products like a facial mist with aloe or rose water, and apply a hydrating toner, serum, and moisturiser before take-off, and lock it all in with a face oil. For an extra boost, I’ll put on a sheet mask during the flight. A flight attendants’ top beauty secret is papaw ointment. It’s a lifesaver for dry lips in the air, and great for minor burns, sunburn, cuts, bites, and even diaper rash!
• Unspoken Seat Rules – When possible, I glance back or notify the person behind me before reclining my seat. It’s a small but respectful gesture that helps avoid drinks spilling or laptops (or knees!) getting crushed. There are some unspoken seat etiquette rules that make flights more comfortable for everyone. Firstly, the middle seat gets both armrests—it’s only fair since they’re in the least desirable spot. Then on domestic flights, it’s generally a no-go to recline, but it’s more common on long-haul international flights, just make sure you respectfully recline!
• Get your meal choice! If you want a better choice of meal, sit near the front. You can also preorder a special meal, so that you guarantee your meal choice. Sometimes airlines also send you an email to choose your meal weeks in advance. Don’t fall asleep for the first hour or you’ll miss meal service. Special hack – if you are still hungry after your meal, you can come to the galley and ask the flight attendant for any leftover meals, they will give it to you as it’ll be trash anyways.
• Share the power outlet: If there’s only one outlet available, consider bringing a splitter so you and your neighbor can both charge your devices without any conflict. It’s a simple solution that ensures everyone stays powered up throughout the flight—and who knows, you might just make a new friend along the way!

Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks reveals that January is the cheapest month to travel in premium classes, so if you don’t want to rely on haggling for an upgrade, you may be able to grab a great business class deal then. If not, here are some tips to help you bag an upgrade:

Upgrade Tips

• Ask to move towards the front of the plane: When I travel solo, I politely let the gate agent know that I’m travelling alone, and if a family needs to sit together I don’t mind “moving my seat up towards the front of the plane” or “in an exit row”, so that the families have the ability to sit together. I’ve been moved up a few times offering this. Mind you, I don’t mention an upgrade. Just “moving up towards the front of the plane.”
• Check your emails before you fly: Airlines may email you on the day of departure, offering a cheap (but not free) upgrade. So keep an eye on your inbox. I’ve missed these emails before, so keep checking your emails even up to a couple of hours before you fly.
• Feel like you’re in Business Class in Economy: Book seats in the first row of economy or in the emergency exit row for more leg room. If you do book an exit row seat, know that you will be responsible for helping during an emergency. You can also book in the very back if not in a rush to leave the plane, as there is a higher chance you will get a full row to yourself. If you are a couple, you can also take the aisle and window and hope no one takes the middle!
• Leverage Credit Card Perks. Many travel credit cards offer complimentary upgrades, lounge access, or other in-flight benefits. Utilise these to upgrade your overall travel experience.
• Become a flight attendant’s best friend or give them gifts: Politeness and even gifts might score you extra perks like a free drink or extra attention. Sometimes maybe an upgrade! Kill the cabin crew with kindness!

2025 Air Hacks Full Report

WHEN TO BOOK

• Book airfare on a Sunday to save up to 22%. Travellers booking on Sundays can save up to 21% on domestic flights compared to Mondays, and up to 22% on international flights compared to Fridays.[6]

• Book domestic flights at least 170 to 180 days in advance to save up to 36%. Travellers who booked 170 to 180 days before departure saved up to 36% compared to those who waited until the last minute (6-12 days before departure).[7]
• Book international airfare 13 to 21 days before departure to maximise savings. Travellers who booked during this ideal window saved up to 8% compared to those who booked 54 to 61 days in advance, the ‘worst’ time to book.[8]

WHEN TO TRAVEL

• Depart on a Friday for international trips to save up to 14%. Travellers who depart on a Friday save up to 14% compared to those who depart on a Sunday, the most expensive day to start an international trip.[9]
• Depart on a Saturday for domestic trips to save up to 18%. Travellers who depart on a Saturday save up to 18% compared to those departing on a Monday, which is typically the priciest day for domestic travel.[10]

• Depart before 3 p.m. to reduce the chance of cancellations. Flights departing after 9 p.m. have a 51% higher chance of being cancelled compared to those that leave earlier in the day.[11]
• Cancellations are lowest in August. With just 1.5% of flights cancelled on average, this month is the most reliable for travel, offering a lower cancellation rate compared to other times of the year, with July and September seeing the most cancellations.[12]

• January is the cheapest month for economy tickets. Travellers can save up to 14% by traveling in January, compared to July, the most expensive month for economy tickets.[13]

• January is the cheapest month for premium tickets. Travellers can save up to 19% by traveling in January, compared to October, the most expensive month for premium tickets.[14]

• Fly on Tuesday to avoid the crowds. Travellers who fly on Tuesdays enjoy quieter airports. While it may not always be the cheapest day to travel, it’s the best choice for those seeking a more relaxed trip. January is the quietest month, with August being the busiest.[15]

MONEY-SAVING TOOLS

2025 AIR TRAVEL TRENDS

• Price Drop Protection**: This year’s data shows that the prices of international flights sometimes drop close to departure, but waiting until the last minute can be risky and often means limited selection and availability. Price Drop Protection lets travellers get an automatic refund if the price of their flight becomes cheaper on Expedia after they book. Available for free to Gold and Platinum tier One Key**** members on the Expedia app. From July to December 2024, UK One Key Gold and Platinum members received approximately £81,000 in automatic OneKeyCash flight refunds through Expedia’s Price Drop Protection.
• Price Tracking*: Take the guess work out of deciding when to book with Price Tracking on the Expedia app, which notifies travellers when flight prices change and uses data to help travellers decide when to book.
• Bundling***: With flights, car hire, hotels and activities, Expedia offers a wide selection of customisable holiday packages in one place, which can save travellers hundreds of pounds when booking multiple items on Expedia. Whether booking items together in the same transaction or in steps, travellers also have their itinerary all in one place making it easier to keep track of their journey.

• The price gap between premium and economy tickets is 9% lower than in 2019. Now is a great time to upgrade to business or first class for a more comfortable travel experience compared to pre-pandemic years.[16]
• Most popular destinations: London, Manchester and Edinburgh range among the most popular domestic destinations for U.K. flyers. The most popular international destinations are Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Bangkok (Thailand) and New York (United States).[17]
• Trending international destinations: The overseas destinations that are seeing the biggest increase in U.K. visitors are Dallas, USA (+230%), Tirana, Albania (+130%), Lombok, Indonesia (+125%), Dublin, Ireland (+115%) and Praia, Cape Verde (+110%).[18]
• Trending domestic destinations: The U.K. destinations that are seeing the biggest increase in visitors are London (+360%), East Midlands (+220%), Manchester (+185%), Birmingham (+155%) and Bristol (+150%).[19]
• New airports are opening around the world, improving travel connections. Tulum International Airport (Mexico) and Rajkot International Airport (India) both opened in December 2023, Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (Cambodia) opened in October 2023, Çukurova International Airport (Turkey) opened in August 2024, and Sao Jose dos Campos (Brazil) opened in February 2024.[20]

[1] Best day of the week to travel recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. On all flights, British travellers can save 26% travelling on a Friday versus on a Sunday.

[2] Best day of the week to book recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[3] Best day of the week to depart recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[4] Ideal booking window recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through November for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[5] Most popular and trending international and domestic destinations to fly to are based on Expedia flight bookings to-date on respective POSa, this year vs. last year.

[6] Best day of the week to book recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[7] Ideal booking window recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through November for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[8] Ideal booking window recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through November for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[9] Best day of the week to depart recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[10] Best day of the week to depart recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[11] Most reliable time of day to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight-status data sourced from OAG’s global flight data platform.

[12] Most reliable month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG’s global flight data platform.

[13] The cheapest month to travel is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[14] The cheapest month to travel is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[15] The quietest day and month to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to October 2024.

[16] First and business travel premium % over economy is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October 2024, compared to the same period in 2019, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.

[17] The most popular destinations information is based on Expedia’s 2024 flight demand through January to October 2024.

[18] The trending destination information is based on Expedia’s 2024 flight demand to-date and flight demand in the same period last year.

[19] The trending destination information is based on Expedia’s 2024 flight demand to-date and flight demand in the same period last year.

[20] The new airport openings data is sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.