How to Score the Best Flight Deals in 2025: Tips and Timing Strategies
Although it might seem like airfare prices have skyrocketed over the past year, it’s still possible to score great deals on flights in 2025—if you know which factors to consider. Here’s how and when to find the best ticket prices!
Airlines use highly complex algorithms to determine prices that are low enough for travelers to purchase while remaining profitable for the airline. The strongest factor influencing ticket prices is demand. However, several factors can cause ticket prices to increase or decrease.
Flight Route: Are there many flights between the selected airports, or is service more limited? In the latter case, finding a good deal will be more challenging. When there’s heavy competition on a route, prices are often more competitive.
Time of Year: Are you planning to travel during popular periods such as summer vacations or the holidays? If so, prices are unlikely to drop as your travel date approaches.
Special Events: Is there a major event, like a festival, sports tournament, or conference, happening at your destination? If so, ticket prices are unlikely to decrease significantly—or at all.
Booking Window: How far in advance is your departure date? When your trip is still far off, ticket prices can fluctuate greatly. As the departure date nears, the chance of prices dropping decreases.
Airfare Trends in 2025
Global airfares are expected to see modest increases in 2025, with the average global ticket price projected to reach $705—a 0.6% rise from 2024. However, factors like regional differences, tax changes, and fuel price fluctuations will significantly influence pricing:
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Fuel Costs: Fluctuations in fuel prices, driven by geopolitical tensions, continue to impact airfare pricing. While there have been periods of decline, ongoing volatility contributes to fare adjustments.
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Taxes and Fees: In the United States, federal excise tax rates for air transportation are set to increase in 2025. The domestic segment tax will rise from $5.00 to $5.20 per passenger per segment, and the international facilities tax will increase from $22.20 to $22.90 per passenger.
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European Union Initiatives: The EU is considering higher taxes on CO2 emissions, which could lead to increased operational costs for airlines and potentially higher ticket prices.
When Is the Best Time to Book?
Given the anticipated tax increases and potential fare hikes, booking flights earlier in the year may help travelers avoid higher costs. If you have a specific destination or time frame in mind, start monitoring flight prices now to get an idea of average costs. Use tools like Google Flight Alerts or Skyscanner Price Alerts to track price fluctuations. If your travel dates are flexible, tools like Skyscanner can help you find the cheapest months to fly, along with daily price trends for your chosen route.
Answers to Common Questions
How Far in Advance Should You Book a Flight?
For domestic or short-haul flights, the ideal booking window is 2–4 months in advance. For long-haul or intercontinental flights, plan 4–8 months ahead. If traveling during peak seasons or major events, consider booking even earlier: 3–6 months for short-haul and 6–10 months for long-haul flights.
Can You Still Get Last-Minute Deals?
Last-minute deals are rare. Generally, ticket prices increase significantly about three weeks before departure.
What’s the Best Day of the Week to Book Flights?
While past trends suggested Tuesdays, deals can now appear on any day. However, the best prices are often found early in the week.
What’s the Cheapest Day of the Week to Fly?
Saturdays are often the cheapest, but this varies based on departure airport, destination, and travel season.
9 Insider Tips to Find the Best Flight Deals
- Set price alerts on tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner.
- Monitor prices even after booking—some airlines allow free cancellations within 24 hours.
- Use filters to match your travel needs (e.g., baggage, nonstop flights).
- Consider alternate airports or open-jaw tickets for savings.
- Watch out for hidden fees (e.g., baggage or seat selection).
- Explore destination-specific deals using Google Flights.
- Search by month for the best seasonal prices on Skyscanner.
- Sign up for airline newsletters to catch sales first.
- Join frequent flyer programs for exclusive offers.
