Is Cheap Flight Day a myth?
August 23 has been dubbed the day to buy flights, but travelers have time to wait.
Today is Cheap Flight Day, which is exactly what it sounds like. Though the title’s exact origin is uncertain, Randi Wolfson, Head of Communications for the Americas at travel search engine Skyscanner, believes that families with students play a significant role in the summer’s end tradition of flight price drops.“A lot of it is seasonality, which in this case is the school year timeframe,” Wolfson said. That said, Cheap Flight Day doesn’t really exist—at least, not how you might expect. It is historically not a standalone day during which airlines dramatically reduce prices, according to Wolfson.Data gathered by Skyscanner indicates that over the last 14 days in August, the average ticket price has been about nine percent less than the yearly average. During this week in 2015 (the 34th of the year), flights originating from the U.S. saw an average 10 percent drop in price. However, the cheapest date to purchase plane tickets in 2015 was actually July 3, which saw an average 31 percent price drop, according to the Skyscanner data. “I don’t know if one day over another would guarantee anything,” said Wolfson. “But just knowing historically the patterns of travelers, the end of the summer begins a season for cheaper flights.”<h2>Cheap Travel Day may be less of a 24-hour deadline and more of starting line.</h2> The Skyscanner data doesn’t indicate or predict a significant increase in flight prices until the second or third week in December. So if you’re looking to book your next trip, there’s no need to rush buying before the clock strikes midnight tonight. “A deal can be found if you’re comparing prices and you have the right tools,” Wolfson said.While you plan your ideal vacation itinerary, Wolfson recommends using sites that compare real-time pricing and setting up price alerts for desired destinations and time frames.
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