When Is the Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets?

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The best time to buy airline tickets
The opportune moment to buy a plane ticket depends on where and when you plan to travel. Although there’s no sure bet, here’s some guidance. For domestic flights, book 70 days in advance. For international flights, start searching before that.
You’ll find more detailed recommendations below.
Domestic flights (within the continental U.S.)
When: Between 21 and 121 days in advance; in particular, 70 days in advance, according to a CheapAir.com study.

International flights
When: It depends on the region. Here’s a breakdown of the best times on average, according to CheapAir:
Canada:66 days in advance
Mexico and Central America: 70 days in advance
Caribbean: 207 days in advance
South America: 110 days in advance
South Pacific: 197 days in advance
Asia: 120 days in advance
Europe: 160 days in advance
Africa and the Middle East: 199 days in advance
Best days of the week to book
When: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to Hopper.
Anticipate seasonal anomalies
The above guidance won’t apply in all circumstances. Allow yourself extra buffer room for peak travel times, such as weekends and holidays. For less desirable periods, like the cold winter months, you can procrastinate a bit longer.
When to buy (for domestic flights):
Winter: 21 to 110 days in advance
Spring: 46 to 122 days in advance
Summer: 14 to 160 days in advance
Fall: 21 to 100 days in advance