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Upgraded Points Study Reveals Best Airlines for Spontaneous Travelers – Image Credit Upgraded Points
- Upgraded Points’ study reveals some airlines offer cheaper fares for last-minute bookings.
- Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines are among the top budget-friendly options for last-minute travel.
A new study by Upgraded Points challenges conventional airfare booking strategies by analyzing thousands of flights across some of the busiest domestic routes. The study revealed that while some airlines hike prices as departure time nears, other carriers offer lower fares for last-minute bookings.
The study analyzed daily Google Flights airfare data for 10 of the busiest U.S. domestic routes over two weeks, examining over 21,000 flights. The fares were compared to established averages from previous airline cost studies to determine how prices shift when booking at the last minute.
According to the study, the top budget-friendly airlines for last-minute one-way travel are Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. These airlines consistently offer low base fares for last-minute bookings, making them attractive options for budget travelers.
The study also compared the average cost of last-minute one-way tickets to the average booking price. It found that last-minute one-way tickets cost less than the average booking on Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and American Airlines.
Meanwhile, JetBlue, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines were found to have the most expensive last-minute fares. The airlines’ last-minute ticket prices reflect premium features such as extra legroom and inflight entertainment, making them a pricier option for spontaneous travelers.
Discover more at Upgraded Points.
