What Is the Cheapest Day to Book Flights? (2026 Guide)
If you're trying to save money on your next trip, you've probably heard this advice:
“Book your flights on Tuesday.”
But is Tuesday actually the cheapest day to book flights?
Not necessarily.
According to Expedia's 2026 flight data, Friday was the cheapest day to book, with fares around 3% cheaper than booking on Sunday. However, other historical flight data shows that the day you book usually matters much less than when you actually fly.
So if you're waiting until Tuesday just because someone told you flights will suddenly become cheaper, you probably don't need to.
Here's what actually matters.
What Is the Cheapest Day to Book Flights?
Based on Expedia's 2026 Air Hacks data:
Friday = cheapest day to book flightsSunday = most expensive day to book
But the average difference was only around 3%.
That means the specific day you press the “Book” button isn't necessarily going to save you hundreds.
A much bigger difference can come from:
Changing your travel dates
Flying on a cheaper day
Booking earlier
Comparing different airlines
Using nearby airports
Tracking prices before booking
👉 Read our full guide: [How to Find the Cheapest Flight Tickets]
Is Tuesday Still the Cheapest Day to Book Flights?
This is probably one of the oldest flight-booking tips online.
But it isn't really a rule anymore.
Google Flights' historical data found Tuesday had sometimes been slightly cheaper, but the difference between booking days was only around 1.3%.
Flight prices now change constantly.
Airlines adjust fares based on things like:
Demand → remaining seats → route popularity → season → travel dates
So instead of waiting for a particular weekday, I would focus more on finding a fare you're actually happy with.
The Day You FLY Matters More
Here's the important difference:
Cheapest day to BOOK ≠ cheapest day to FLY.
Your travel date can have a much bigger effect on the ticket price.
Interestingly, different datasets can produce different “cheapest” days.
Expedia's 2026 data found Friday was the cheapest overall departure day, while Tuesday was cheapest for U.S. domestic flights.
Google's historical data has generally found Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday departures cheaper than weekend travel.
The lesson isn't that everyone should suddenly fly on Friday or Tuesday.
It's this:
Be flexible with the day you fly.
When I search for flights, I normally compare a few days around my preferred date.
For example:
Thursday — RM820Friday — RM610Saturday — RM750
If my schedule is flexible, that's an easy RM210 saved.
Don't Wait for a “Magic Booking Day”
Let's say it's Sunday.
You find a Kuala Lumpur → Tokyo flight for RM900 and it normally costs around RM1,200.
Should you wait until Friday because Friday is supposedly cheaper?
I wouldn't.
You might save a few percent.
Or the RM900 fare might disappear entirely.
Historical averages are useful for understanding patterns, but they can't predict the exact price of your specific flight.
What I Do Instead
Whenever I'm looking for cheap flights, I keep it simple.
1. Check multiple travel dates
Move your departure and return dates around by a few days.
2. Compare the price
Check your route through a flight search platform before booking.
3. Check the airline directly
Once you find the flight, compare the final price with the airline's website too.
4. Look at the total cost
Don't forget:
Baggage + seats + meals + airport transfers
A cheaper-looking ticket isn't always the cheapest trip.
5. Book when the price makes sense
Don't spend weeks trying to perfectly time the lowest possible price.
If you've compared your options and found a genuinely good fare, sometimes you just have to book it.
So, When Should You Book?
There isn't one perfect answer for every flight.
If you're travelling internationally, booking earlier is generally safer than waiting until the last minute. Google Flights' latest historical analysis found international fares departing from the U.S. tended to be lowest 49 days or more before departure.
But routes around Asia, budget airlines and promotional fares can behave differently.
That's why I'd use booking windows as a guideline rather than a rule.
We're covering this separately here:
The Bottom Line
So, what is the cheapest day to book flights?
For 2026, Expedia's data points to Friday.
But I wouldn't build my entire flight-booking strategy around it.
The difference between booking days is relatively small.
Instead, focus on:
Flexible dates + comparing fares + booking at the right time + knowing what a good price looks like.
That's much more likely to save you money.
Compare a few dates before booking. You might be surprised how much the price changes just by moving your trip by one or two days.
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