As today’s online traveler finds more and more ways to search and compare flight options, there’s one need across the board both airlines and customers will always consider: value.
New data from Expedia and travel intelligence company ARC identifies current patterns related to best-value pricing and when travelers should book trips.
The results of the ARC Air Travel Outlook Report show that travelers who book a flight more than 30 days in advance are the most likely to find the lowest average ticket prices (ATPs) - a finding contrary to the commonly believed benefits of last-minute booking.
For business travelers, this increased purchase window has resulted in more long-haul flights being booked in advance, and companies are beginning to institute advance purchase requirements accordingly.
Additional insights from the report reveal that booking travel on Sundays typically results in the lowest ATPs for domestic and international economy flights, while for business travelers, that window extends to Saturdays, as well.
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For international trips, economy flights departing on
Thursdays or Fridays usually see the cheapest fares, though the lowest prices
for domestic trips vary widely by region.
Business travelers, meanwhile, save the most on Friday or Saturday departure dates for domestic or international flights - a trend that could help companies save on their bottom line.
"Business travel may typically take place during the week, but starting the trip on the weekend may help companies save on premium seats. This can turn a business trip into a ‘bleisure’ trip,” says Tristan Smith, vice president of global transport supply at Egencia.
Time of year also factors into ATPs, and trends vary depending on location.
In the United States, economy fares are highest in December and lowest in February for international flights, while domestic ATPs are highest in June and lowest in September.
Economy international travelers in the United Kingdom pay most in December and least in May, while in Asia, business fares are highest between April and September.
According to Expedia senior vice president Greg Schulze, understanding these trends is part of the company’s commitment to improving the online booking experience. “We spent nearly $1.3 billion on technology and innovation in the past year,” he says. “Finding patterns in data is at the core of what we do.”