If you’re like me, you’re always in search of the cheapest and fastest way to get where you’re going. But because the airline industry faces the ongoing impact of rising fuel prices and new regulations, figuring out how far in advance to book a flight to get the best possible rate is a constantly moving target.
A recent New York Times story, however, reveals valuable new insight into the best windows for booking both international and domestic flights to ensure the most cost-effective fares.
The story says that, although research indicates that passengers paid the lowest fares for domestic flights when buying six weeks in advance, the same strategy did not hold true for international trips. In fact, the New York Times found that the most optimum time to book the least expensive ticket for these flights has now moved well beyond six weeks in advance. In some cases it’s up to 24 weeks, which means forget about planning for summer — we’re now looking at Fall travel dates!
The best advice remains the same: plan ahead and book early, my friends! You can read the full New York Times story here: http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/travel/book-well-ahead-to-save-money-on-airfare.html.