Sammie Ellard-King
I’m Sammie, a money expert and business owner passionate about helping you take control of your wallet. My mission with Up the Gains is to create a safe space to help improve your finances, cut your costs and make you feel good while doing it.
New research from Expedia has shown how travellers can cut hundreds of pounds from flight costs, with Friday now officially shown to be the cheapest day to depart.
The latest Air Hacks Report reveals that holidaymakers can save an average of 18% by departing on a Friday instead than a Saturday.
Despite being the busiest travel day of the week, Friday delivers the best value for money.
What's the Most Expensive Day to Fly?
By comparison, Tuesday emerges as the quietest day for flying but turns out to be the priciest to book.
This goes against conventional wisdom that flying midweek would be cheaper. The data shows that quieter doesn’t mean better value.
More news:
Which Month is Cheapest?
June emerges as the cheapest month to fly, with flights 68% cheaper on average than December.
This represents a potential saving of £250 per ticket just by choosing when to travel.
December is the most expensive month, likely due to Christmas travel pushing prices up.
When Should You Book?
For domestic economy flights, the sweet spot lies between 31 and 45 days before departure. This will save travellers around £38 compared to booking six months ahead.
For international trips, adults can save an average of £93 by booking between 15 and 30 days in advance rather than six months ahead.
Booking 31 to 45 days prior to international travel can still yield a saving of £85.
The takeaway? Don’t book too far in advance. You’re likely paying more than you need to.
Cheapest and Most Expensive UK Airports
The most economical departure points on average are:
- Belfast – £170
- Liverpool – £171
- Bournemouth – £171
The most expensive airports for departures are:
- London Heathrow – £533
- Humberside – £420
- Manchester – £404
If you live near multiple airports, it’s worth comparing prices.
The difference could save you hundreds of pounds.
New Travel Trends
The study unveiled emerging trends in travel behaviour:
Extreme day trips: One in five travellers have organised an “extreme day trip,” involving a return flight completed within 24 hours to explore a new destination.
Morning flights preferred: Over half (51%) of international passengers now favour morning departures, with just 15% opting for an evening flight.
Hand luggage only: A third of travellers now journey with only hand luggage.
Wearing extra layers: 29% admit to wearing multiple layers of clothing to avoid baggage fees.
If you found this interesting, please share!
Disclaimer: Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making a financially related decision.
