2026 is expected to be a busy travel year. According to the IPX1031 Travel Forecast 2026, 93% of Americans plan to travel in 2026, with 46% citing flight costs as their number-one cost concern.
Expedia’s 2026 Air Hacks Report highlights the cheapest days to fly, the best times to book, and the other key airfare trends for 2026. The analysis, based on millions of searches and bookings, gives travelers clear data-backed strategies for saving on flights in 2026.
1. A shift in savings: Fridays lead the way
For the first time in the report’s 10-year history, Friday is now the cheapest day of the week to both book and fly. Travelers who fly on a Friday instead of a Sunday can save up to 8% on average, while Tuesday remains the cheapest day for U.S. domestic flights with prices 14% below average Sunday fares. These days-of-the-week differences stand out as one of the report’s clearest ways to save.
2. August takes the top spot for affordability
August is the most affordable month to fly overall, with fares averaging 29% cheaper than in December, saving travelers roughly $120 per ticket. Several international destinations — including Honduras, Morelia, and Tokyo — have seen fares drop up to 25% year over year.
Meanwhile, separate airfare-tracking data shows July, October, and November as having more frequent discounted airfare deals available when compared to other months.
3. Pick the right days for smoother airport experiences
Travelers looking to avoid congestion may want to focus on certain days and months. Tuesday is the least busy day of the week to fly, while Friday is the busiest. February is the quietest month for air travel overall, and specific dates such as Feb. 25, March 4, and Nov. 18 are among the least busy travel days based on booking data.
4. Micro-cations are gaining traction
Short, spontaneous trips are becoming popular, especially among younger travelers. One in 4 Millennials and Gen Z adults say they plan to take a “micro-cation” in 2026 — defined as flying somewhere for just 24 hours. Popular international day-trip destinations include Toronto, Nassau, San Juan, and Montreal.
Supporting this trend, 48% of travelers now fly with carry-on luggage only, and more than a quarter plan long layovers specifically to explore an additional city. These evolving habits reflect a desire for flexible, fast, and low-commitment travel experiences.
5. Book closer to departure, but avoid the last-minute premium
Travelers may save more money by booking closer to their departure date than they might expect. For domestic economy flights, the most affordable booking window is 15–30 days before travel, with prices about $130 lower than booking 180+ days in advance.
International flyers can save an average of $190 by booking 31–45 days ahead rather than more than six months out. Some of the best values appear 8–15 days before departure, although those deals generally require greater flexibility.
6. Where you depart from can influence price
The report shows that airport choice plays a major role in airfare pricing. Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, and Orlando are the most affordable mainstream departure points in the U.S., with average fares about 25% below the national average.
Washington Dulles, San Francisco, and New York’s JFK are identified as the most expensive major airports.
For travelers planning their trips this year, using these data-driven insights can help to identify the best windows for savings, smoother travel days, and new ways to fit shorter adventures into their schedules.
Methodology
All average ticket pricing data is based on bookings made on Expedia.com from December 2024 to November 2025, with any comparison metrics compared to December 2023 to November 2024. Most popular and trending destinations based on searches made on Expedia.com from December 2024 to November 2025, compared to searches made from December 2023 to November 2024.
This story was produced by Expedia and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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