How Far Ahead Should You Book Flights?

Most people worry about booking too late. Booking too early is just as common a mistake.\n\nAirlines open seats roughly eleven months out at a placeholder price that is rarely the best price. Fares then drift down as the schedule firms up, bottom out somewhere in the middle, and climb sharply in the final three weeks.\n\nFor domestic trips, one to three months. For Hawaii and Mexico, two to five months. For Europe and Asia in summer, three to seven months. Off-season international is the exception — good fares often appear surprisingly late.\n\nThe better habit is to stop thinking in weeks and start thinking in prices. Know what normal costs. Book when you see clearly better than normal.