What is the Cheapest Day to Fly on Airlines

Finding out the cheapest day to fly on airlines is one of the smartest ways to save money while traveling. Airfare prices are not fixed; they fluctuate based on demand, season, booking time, and even the day of the week. Knowing these patterns can help travelers secure the best deals. After carefully reviewing fare trends from the top 20 airlines worldwide, we’ve created a detailed guide that explains which days are cheapest to fly with each airline and why.

Quick Summary:

The cheapest days to fly on most major airlines worldwide are usually Tuesday and Wednesday, with some carriers also offering deals on Thursday or Saturday. U.S. airlines like American, Delta, and United show the lowest fares midweek, while European carriers such as Ryanair, EasyJet, Lufthansa, and British Airways also follow this pattern. Middle Eastern airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways, and Asian carriers including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, JAL, and ANA, consistently price cheaper flights midweek. Low-cost airlines such as AirAsia, IndiGo, and Vueling also offer 30-40% lower fares on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sundays and Fridays are typically the most expensive due to high demand.

General Patterns of Cheap Flights

When it comes to flight pricing, certain days of the week are almost always cheaper than others. Tuesday and Wednesday consistently show up as the best days to fly across most airlines. These days fall in the middle of the week when fewer people are traveling, especially business passengers. Saturday can also be affordable since most weekend travelers prefer leaving on Friday and returning on Sunday.

In contrast, Friday and Sunday tend to be the most expensive days because they cater to weekend getaways and business travel. If you want to save money, avoid booking flights on these peak travel days. Another key factor is timing. Booking your ticket six to eight weeks before your departure date usually secures the lowest fares.

Cheapest Days to Fly with Major U.S. Airlines

Airfare prices in the United States fluctuate heavily based on demand, season, and booking patterns. Business travelers dominate early in the week and leisure travelers usually fill up weekend flights, making certain days consistently more expensive. If you’re looking to save, knowing the cheapest days to fly with major U.S. airlines can make a significant difference. Below, we break down the fare patterns of leading carriers in detail.

American Airlines: Save More Midweek

For American Airlines, the cheapest days to fly are typically Tuesday and Wednesday. These midweek departures offer relief from the premium prices charged on Mondays and Fridays, which are heavily favored by corporate travelers.

• Why cheaper midweek? Tuesdays and Wednesdays have lighter passenger loads, meaning airlines lower fares to fill seats.
• Best booking tip: Try booking flights 3-6 weeks in advance for the best balance between price and seat selection.
• Extra savings: Consider red-eye flights (late-night departures), which often come at reduced rates on these cheaper days.

Delta Air Lines: Midweek & Saturday Savings

Delta Air Lines offers great savings when you book on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. While Tuesday and Wednesday follow the global trend of midweek savings, Saturday flights are uniquely cheaper since many weekend travelers prefer departing Friday and returning Sunday.

• Domestic travel: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest, especially for popular U.S. routes.
• International travel: Monday evenings sometimes show lower fares for long-haul flights.
• Insider tip: Use Delta SkyMiles strategically on these days, as midweek redemptions require fewer points.

United Airlines: Tuesdays and Wednesdays Stand Out

United Airlines follows a similar pattern, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently being the cheapest days to fly.

• Peak travel days: Sundays are the most expensive since both leisure and business travelers prefer flying then.
• International fares: Monday and Thursday may sometimes show small discounts, but Tuesday and Wednesday remain the most reliable choices.
• Savings hack: If you’re flying United from major hubs like Chicago (ORD) or Newark (EWR), shifting your trip by just one day can save up to 20-30%.

Southwest Airlines: Best Value for Flexible Travelers

Southwest Airlines is already known for competitive pricing, but travelers save the most when flying on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Domestic flights: These are cheapest midweek, especially short-haul routes.
• Saturday advantage: Many Saturday flights are discounted since demand is lighter compared to Friday and Sunday.
• Extra tip: Southwest doesn’t charge change fees, so booking early and adjusting later is a great way to lock in savings.

Alaska Airlines: Midweek is King

For Alaska Airlines, the lowest fares are most common midweek, especially on Tuesday.

• Advance booking: The sweet spot is 3-4 weeks before departure, especially for routes along the West Coast.
• Tuesday departures: Fares on this day are frequently 15-25% lower than Friday or Sunday prices.
• Savings boost: Mileage Plan members often get extra discounts when booking early for midweek flights.

JetBlue Airways: Midweek & Saturday Deals

JetBlue Airways offers its most affordable fares on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

• Reward travelers: TrueBlue points go further when redeemed on these days.
• Popular routes: Flights from New York, Boston, or Florida tend to be cheapest midweek.
• Saturday flights: For leisure travelers, Saturdays provide an under-the-radar opportunity to book cheaper fares, especially early morning departures.

Spirit Airlines: Ultra-Low-Cost Savings

As a low-cost airline, Spirit Airlines already offers budget-friendly fares, but the cheapest days remain Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

• Base fare advantage: These days offer the lowest starting prices, but remember Spirit charges for extras like bags and seat selection.
• Red-eye savings: Late-night Tuesday flights can be drastically cheaper than peak weekend times.
• Budget hack: Booking bare fares midweek and adding only essential extras can maximize savings.

Cheapest Days to Fly with European Airlines

Europe is home to a diverse range of airlines, from budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet to premium flag carriers such as Lufthansa, British Airways, and Air France. Airfare trends across these airlines follow global patterns, but each carrier has unique pricing behaviors based on routes, passenger demand, and travel seasons. Knowing the cheapest days to fly with European airlines helps travelers secure the best deals while avoiding peak prices.

Ryanair: Midweek for Maximum Savings

As Europe’s largest low-cost airline, Ryanair is designed for budget-conscious travelers. The airline’s cheapest fares are consistently available on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Best times to book: Early morning or late-night flights midweek are the lowest priced.
• Avoid peak days: Fridays and Sundays cost significantly more due to heavy weekend demand.
• Insider tip: Ryanair frequently launches flash sales, often timed for midweek travel, making these days even more affordable.

EasyJet: Follow the Midweek Rule

EasyJet, another leading budget carrier in Europe, follows a similar pattern to Ryanair. The most affordable flights are found on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Why midweek is cheaper: Lower demand on these days pushes down fares.
• Peak pricing: Fridays and Sundays are among the most expensive, especially for short-haul leisure routes within Europe.
• Money-saving tip: If traveling for a weekend getaway, consider departing Thursday and returning Tuesday to cut costs.

Lufthansa: Discounts on Wednesday and Thursday

As Germany’s flagship airline, Lufthansa caters to a mix of business and leisure travelers. While this makes flights more expensive on peak days, significant savings can be found on Wednesday and Thursday.

• Domestic routes: Midweek discounts are noticeable within Germany and neighboring countries.
• Long-haul flights: Routes to the U.S. or Asia see some of the best savings on these days.
• Extra tip: Booking economy fares well in advance for midweek travel provides premium savings compared to last-minute weekend tickets.

British Airways: Midweek Relief from High Prices

British Airways, one of the most popular carriers for transatlantic travel, tends to offer its best fares on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Transatlantic savings: Fares to destinations like New York, Boston, or Toronto are often cheaper midweek.
• Weekend premiums: Sundays are especially expensive due to high demand from both leisure and business travelers.
• Savings hack: Look for BA’s “World Traveller” fare sales, often aligned with midweek travel windows.

Air France: Affordable Midweek Departures

Air France consistently shows its lowest prices on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

• Regional routes: Flights within Europe are cheapest midweek.
• International flights: Routes to Africa and Asia, where Air France has strong connections, offer the best midweek discounts.
• Pro tip: Combining midweek departures with Air France’s Flying Blue loyalty program can unlock additional mileage savings.

Cheapest Days to Fly with Middle Eastern, Asian, and Other Global Airlines

Airfare prices fluctuate constantly depending on demand, seasonality, and the day of the week. While weekends and peak holidays usually see the highest prices, many airlines worldwide offer cheaper fares midweek. This guide covers the cheapest days to fly with major Middle Eastern, Asian, and global carriers, along with bonus insights for popular low-cost airlines.

Emirates: Best Deals on Tuesday and Wednesday

Emirates, based in Dubai, is known for luxury service, but savvy travelers can still find great value. The airline’s cheapest fares usually appear on Tuesday and Wednesday, particularly for long-haul routes.

• Best routes for savings: Dubai-North America and Dubai-Asia.
• When to book: 2-3 months in advance for international deals.
• Tip: Consider flying midweek during off-peak travel seasons like late spring or fall for the steepest discounts.

Qatar Airways: Midweek Discounts with Extra Value

Qatar Airways, another premium Gulf carrier, also offers its lowest fares on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Business & First Class: Booking early midweek can lead to substantial savings on premium cabins.
• Long-haul advantage: Flights from Doha to the U.S., Europe, and Asia are cheapest midweek.
• Extra tip: Use Qatar’s Privilege Club Avios program for additional redemption value when traveling midweek.

Cheapest Days to Fly with Asian Airlines

Singapore Airlines: Affordable Midweek Travel

Singapore Airlines, one of the world’s top-rated carriers, generally offers its lowest fares on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Sunday surcharge: Fares are often significantly higher on Sundays.
• Best routes for deals: Long-haul flights to Europe and North America.
• Pro tip: Combine midweek departures with KrisFlyer miles to maximize loyalty rewards.

Cathay Pacific: Tuesday and Wednesday Stand Out

Based in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific also shows the best discounts on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially for intercontinental travel.

• Cheapest routes: Hong Kong to Europe and North America.
• When to avoid: Fridays and Sundays, when demand spikes.
• Savings hack: Look for midweek “fanfares” deals, which Cathay occasionally launches for short- and long-haul routes.

Japan Airlines (JAL): Tuesday to Thursday Savings

Japan Airlines (JAL) offers affordable fares on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

• Avoid peak travel: Prices rise sharply during Japanese holidays like Golden Week, New Year, and Obon.
• Best routes: Flights from Tokyo to North America and Southeast Asia.
• Insider tip: Booking midweek during off-peak months like February or September can yield major savings.

ANA (All Nippon Airways): Midweek Discounts Dominate

ANA, Japan’s largest airline, follows the same midweek pricing pattern. The lowest fares are usually on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Best savings: Long-haul flights to the U.S. and Europe.
• Booking strategy: Plan 6-8 weeks ahead for the cheapest deals.
• Tip: ANA’s loyalty program (Mileage Club) gives added value for midweek award bookings.

Cheapest Days to Fly with Other Global Airlines

Qantas Airways: Tuesday and Wednesday Fares

Australia’s flag carrier, Qantas Airways, offers its cheapest fares on Tuesday and Wednesday, particularly for domestic flights.

• International routes: Occasionally, Monday evening departures are also cheaper.
• Money-saving trick: Fly midweek between Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane for the lowest fares.

Turkish Airlines: Tuesday and Wednesday Deals

Turkish Airlines, connecting Europe and Asia through Istanbul, frequently shows its lowest fares on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Best routes: Connecting flights between Europe, Asia, and North America.
• Why cheaper midweek: Business travel demand is lower, reducing prices.
• Tip: Consider adding a free stopover in Istanbul for extra value.

Bonus: Cheapest Days for Low-Cost Carriers Worldwide

AirAsia (Asia-Pacific)

• Cheapest fares on Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Best for: Late-night flights and promotional deals.

IndiGo (India)

• Midweek travel offers the best value.
• Fares are significantly higher around Indian festivals and holidays.

Vueling (Spain)

• Fares are usually 30-40% lower on Tuesday and Wednesday compared to weekends.
• Best for intra-European budget travel.

Global Cheapest Days to Fly

Across Middle Eastern, Asian, and global airlines, the trend is clear: Tuesday and Wednesday consistently deliver the cheapest fares, with some carriers extending deals into Thursday. Sundays and Fridays are the most expensive due to weekend and business travel demand.

For the best savings, travelers should:

• Book flights 6-8 weeks in advance for international trips.
• Target off-peak seasons instead of holidays.
• Leverage airline loyalty programs to stretch rewards on cheaper midweek flights.

By planning strategically, passengers can save hundreds of dollars simply by shifting their travel dates to the middle of the week.

Final Thoughts

Based on research from the top 20 airlines around the world, the conclusion is clear: Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the cheapest days to fly. Saturday can also be a good choice for certain domestic routes. In contrast, Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive, especially for business and leisure travelers who prefer weekend schedules.

By booking early, being flexible, and targeting midweek flights, travelers can save hundreds of dollars annually. Whether you’re flying with a full-service airline like Singapore Airlines or a budget carrier like Ryanair, the rule remains the same: midweek flights are the best way to travel on a budget.

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