by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:10 PM ET, Tue February 17, 2026
Breaking news for travelers hoping to score air travel bargains this year: There’s been a major shift in the cheapest day of the week to fly.
While Friday has long been one of the pricier days to schedule a flight, that’s apparently no longer the case. The newly released 2026 Air Hacks Report from Expedia indicates that, due to reduced business travel at the end of the week, Friday has become the cheapest day to fly internationally, saving globetrotters as much as 8 percent on ticket prices.
“Business travelers head home earlier in the week these days, so new opportunities are opening up for leisure travelers to save by choosing smarter travel days, like Friday for the best prices or Tuesday for fewer crowds,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations.
Last year’s Expedia report, by contrast, had indicated that Thursday was the cheapest day to fly internationally and Saturday was the best day for domestic travel.
The revelation about Fridays is merely one of the hacks provided in Expedia’s 2026 report, which draws on millions of Expedia data points to develop its recommendations.
Keep reading for all the 2026 air travel hacks.
Travel on a Tuesday to avoid crowds
If you’re hoping to avoid crowds and your travel dates are flexible, plan to fly on a Tuesday. It’s the least busy day, with Sunday by contrast being the busiest, according to the Expedia report.
The calmest dates to fly are apparently:
- February 25
- March 4
- November 18.
Peak, most crowded dates (read: days to avoid)
Zooming out a bit, looking at the best months to avoid the crowds: February is the least busy month to fly, while July is the busiest.
Travel savings. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/surasaki)
When you fly matters more than when you book
Crowds are just one consideration when booking a flight. Ticket price is, of course, another major factor for many of us.
On this front, Expedia data shows that the most affordable month to fly internationally is August, when flights are 29 percent cheaper on average than December, saving travelers roughly $120 per ticket.
January, meanwhile, is the cheapest month to fly domestically, driven by lower demand after the holidays.
Book at the right time for big savings
While it’s long been said that you should book your airline tickets six months in advance to secure the best possible deal, Expedia’s analysis shows otherwise.
International travelers can save $190 on average by booking just 31 – 45 days ahead of planned travel dates, instead of six months out, says the report.
And for those especially bold travelers (a group I definitely don’t include myself in), booking 8–14 days ahead can offer the best value, saving $225 on average.
Your departure airport can make or break the price
While we may not all have the flexibility to substantially shift the airport we regularly fly in and out of, here’s some information to bear in mind when planning future trips:
Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas and Orlando are the most affordable mainstream U.S. departure airports, with average fares about 25 percent lower than the national average.
Airports to avoid (when possible) include Washington Dulles, San Francisco and New York’s JFK, which are the most expensive airports to fly from.
The new best days to book
As mentioned at the start, Friday is now officially the cheapest day to fly internationally—about 8 percent cheaper than Sunday, the most expensive day.
But the same does not hold true for domestic flights. If you’re traveling within the United States, you’ll do better by flying on a Tuesday, which can save you up to 14 percent compared to far more costly Sunday travel.
Flight habits are evolving
A few final bits of insight from Expedia that may also save you money. It seems 48 percent of travelers now fly carry‑on only. Likely because we’re all busy rejecting the absurd baggage fees airlines now charge.
Additionally, 37 percent of travelers would wear extra layers to dodge those same steep baggage fees. Breaking that figure down even further: 47 percent of Gen Z, 45 percent of Millennials and 16 percent of Boomers said they would don extra clothing rather than check a bag.
Memo to airlines everywhere: Perhaps consider rolling back some of those steep baggage fees.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
