According to Expedia’s 2026 Air Hacks Report, there’s a new standout answer to the age-old question of when is the cheapest day to book travel: Friday is emerging as the most budget-friendly day of the week to both book and fly in 2026.
Expedia’s newly released data, which draws on millions of flight data points and consumer trends, shows that shifting travel habits have changed traditional wisdom about airfare pricing. Historically, travel experts often touted mid-week days as the best days to score low fares, based on older patterns of airline pricing and booking behavior. But this year’s data indicates that Fridays now offer some of the lowest average ticket prices, especially for flights later in the week when business travel demand drops off and more deals appear for leisure flyers.
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“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,” Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations, said in a press release. “With a year of data from Expedia’s Flight Deals now in—which highlights routes and dates priced at least 20 percent lower than the norm—July and October are emerging as two of the best months to travel to secure these high-quality fares.”
In short: Airlines adjust prices based on demand, and with fewer corporate travelers booking at the end of the workweek, fare inventories can become more attractive for budget-minded explorers. For example, flights departing on a Friday frequently cost less than those on peak weekend travel days like Sunday. In fact, flying on a Friday instead of Sunday can save up to eight percent.
However, it’s worth noting that Friday is the busiest day to travel. Tuesday, on the other hand, is the least busy day of the week to fly, and it’s also the cheapest day to fly domestically, averaging 14 percent less than Sunday departures.
The research also doesn’t mean that every trip booked on a Friday will automatically be cheaper. Timing still matters. Expedia’s analysis suggests that travelers book closer to popular travel windows (but not too far in advance). For domestic economy flights, that means 15 to 30 days prior to departure (which averages $130 less than bookings made more than six months out). For international routes, travelers can save $190, on average, by booking 31 to 45 days ahead of departure. But booking just eight to 15 days ahead of travel can offer the most value, saving last-minute travelers an average of $225.
Considering off-peak months can further amplify savings, as well. For example, August is the most affordable month to travel, with flights 29 percent cheaper on average than in December. And January is the cheapest month to fly domestically, which is largely driven by decreased demand after the holidays.
Outside of flight-day choices, Expedia and travel analysts still recommend flexibility. Using airline alerts and checking multiple departure airports can both trim your travel budget further. But if you’re focused purely on when to booktravel, this year’s data clearly points to Friday as a smart choice for snagging some of the lowest prices available.
