What are the best and worst times to fly? When it comes to choosing a flight that doesn't descend into a stressful experience, Travel Planners International (TPI) says it's a case-by-case situation, with some factors to consider.
Time and Days of the Week and Holidays
Catch an early flight to avoid crowds. TPI cites a probability delay rating calculated by The Huffington Post and AirHelp, which said flights from 6 to 11 a.m. will have the least chance of a delay.
According to the same study, Monday and Friday are the most delay-prone days of the week, due to a large amount of business travelers. Ticket prices can also increase on these days as well. Except for Thanksgiving weekend, Wednesdays and Thursdays are your best bet.
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Not surprisingly, Conde Nast, via TPI said the immediate days surrounding Christmas and New Year's are hectic, but things ease up a bit from the 27th-29th.
The timing of flight booking is also important for savings. There's a sweet spot between making reservations too early (and missing a deal) and reserving too late (and paying high prices).
The Impact of Destinations
Unless you are attending such gigantic international events as the World Cup, Oktoberfest or Hanami Festivals in Japan, try to avoid traveling when they are happening - ticket prices will inevitably be higher, along with the headaches.
But if you are headed to these events, an interesting life hack that avoids airport nightmares was suggested by Regal Wings agent, Charles Reynolds, who told TPI, "A good alternative to flying in to the country where the scheduled event is happening is to fly to a neighboring city that is a few hours away and commute to your desired destination."
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