Anything related to air travel.
View All Tags
Today begins the period when you can book your airline tickets at the lowest prices. This period is known as "Prime Fares" and it runs from September 15, 2025, to January 11, 2025. Per the travel industry standards, this is the time when airlines release their best fares for flights for our period of travel. While the price may fluctuate up and down a bit between now and then, it is a certainty that the number of seats on the plane will go down.
A 2023 study analyzing 917 million airfares in over 8,000 markets found 6 booking windows. These booking windows reveal airline pricing patterns and the best time to buy flights, depending on your personal priorities.
| Strategy | Time Before Departure | Pros & Cons | Price Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Window | By Jul 29, 2025 | Larger flight selection, larger seat selection. | $50 more than if you choose to book in the prime booking window. |
| Peace of Mind | Jul 30 to Sep 14, 2025 | Good mix of price and selection. | $20 more than the prime booking window. |
| Prime Window | Sep 15 2025 - Jan 11, 2026 | Lowest pricepoint. It only goes up from here. | Lowest price point. |
| Push Your Luck | Jan 12 to Feb 12, 2026 | You're a procrastinator, or have money and don't care where you sit. | $100+ more than the prime booking window. |
| Playing With Fire | Feb 13 to Feb 22, 2026 | Fewer available seats, last possibly sane price. | $135 less than last minute bookings. |
| Hail Mary | Feb 23 to 26, 2026 | Last minute, high prices, very low selection. | $220 more than the prime booking window. |