If you've been clinging to the old "always book on Tuesday" rule for airfare, a new analysis says it's time to update that playbook. Expedia's "Air Hacks" report for 2026, based on "millions of Expedia flight data points," finds that Friday has now edged out other days as the best time to buy tickets. Domestic flights booked on Fridays were about 14% cheaper than those bought on Sundays (the most expensive day), while international fares were roughly 8% lower. August is projected to be the least expensive month to travel, while July is expected to be the busiest.
Tuesday, however, still has a role: It's the best day to actually fly, according to Expedia, and typically one of the quietest. February comes in as the least crowded month overall. The report predicts several specific days in 2026—Feb. 25, March 4, and Nov. 18, all Wednesdays—as set to be among the calmest for air travel. On the flip side, Sundays are forecast to be the most hectic, with the Fridays before Memorial Day and Independence Day, plus the Saturday before Labor Day, likely to be peak travel days, per the Hill.
As for timing your purchase, the sweet spot is no longer half a year out—buying more than 180 days before departure is now linked with some of the highest prices. Expedia instead recommends booking roughly 31 to 45 days before your trip. Travelers willing to cut it closer—purchasing between eight and 14 days before departure—may save an average of about $225, though they risk fewer seat options and less flexibility. Still, Travel + Leisure recommends scooping up tickets for Thanksgiving travel at least two months beforehand, and Christmas tickets at least 70 days in advance.
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