How Far out Should You Book Airfare?

Booking a flight too early or too late can be pricey.

Early Bookings

Each flight has a limited number of seats made available as part of a seat sale. Being one of the first passengers to book on that flight will give you access to all available fares. Booking too early, before the seat sales are actually put in place, will result in having to pay mid-tier prices or higher.

Last-Minute Bookings

Some flights offer cheap last-minute a few days before the departure date for a fraction of the regular price. These deals were used to fill half-empty airplanes in the past, but there aren't many of those left. Waiting until the last minute leaves open the possibility of being stuck with an expensive seat, or none at all.

Bottom Line

You should look to book your airfare approximately four months ahead of the departure date. Most flights will have seat sale prices available by then, giving you plenty of time to secure a ticket for a decent price without facing competition for seats.

References

• ABC News: The Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets