Guide: Best Days To Book Flights: Airlines, Prices & Tips

The Best Days to Book Flights

Why Tuesday Beats Other Days

Skyscanner’s 2023 analysis of over 1,200 flights shows booking Lufthansa (LH) for London Heathrow (LHR) to Frankfurt (FRA) on Tuesday saves you €42 compared to Friday. This discount hits 73% of European routes when airlines add fresh seats to their system.

How Much You Actually Save

Lufthansa’s Tuesday deals for LHR-FRA average €215—18% cheaper than Friday’s €255. Wizz Air (W6) slashes Thursday fares from €235 to €195 on Tuesdays for the same route, with a quick 1h 45m flight. Ryanair (FR) has the biggest swing: Tuesday’s €150 ticket jumps to €185 on Sundays, but Sunday bookings add a €50 baggage fee.

Best Days by Airline

• Lufthansa (LH): Book Tuesday. Average €215, includes one checked bag (23kg), flight time 2h 05m.
• Wizz Air (W6): Tuesday’s the day. €195 gets you just a carry-on (no checked bags), flight takes 1h 45m.
• Ryanair (FR): Wednesday’s the sweet spot. €150, but you’ll pay €50 extra for a 20kg checked bag.

Pro tip: Lufthansa’s Tuesday prices are 12% lower than Wednesday, while Wizz Air’s Tuesday deal includes a free carry-on—Ryanair’s Wednesday savings cost you an extra €50 for bags.

Timing Your Bookings

For European trips, snag deals 3-6 weeks out. Summer (June-August)? Wait 6 weeks to dodge 37% price spikes. March is a steal—Tuesday bookings save 22% vs Friday for LHR-FRA. October’s the cheapest month at €185 (LH), 14% below August. Skip Fridays for low-demand routes like LHR-BER (Berlin); prices surge 19% above Tuesday rates.

Booking Pitfalls to Avoid

Ryanair (FR) charges 22% more for Friday LHR-FRA flights versus Tuesday. In April 2024, their Friday bag fees hit €50 but dropped to €20 on Tuesdays. Always read the fine print: Wizz Air’s “free carry-on” bans anything over 55cm. My 2023 Budapest trip cost €12 extra for a 56cm suitcase—a sneaky fee not on their Tuesday promo page.

FAQs

Q: Why does Lufthansa cut prices on Tuesdays?
A: Their revenue team drops new seats Tuesday mornings, creating flash discounts. Skyscanner’s data confirms 2023 Tuesday bookings were 18% cheaper than Fridays for LHR-FRA, with no fewer seats available.

Q: What’s the cheapest month for LHR-FRA?
A: March. Average 2024 fare: €185 (LH), 14% below August. Skip May 2024—Lufthansa hiked prices 11% for Euro 2024 week.

Q: Do budget airlines play nice with Tuesday bookings?
A: Sort of. Wizz Air’s Tuesday fares are 15% cheaper than Sunday, but Ryanair’s Wednesday deal needs €50 for a bag. Total cost check: Wizz Air Tuesday + €10 bag = €205 vs Ryanair Wednesday + €50 bag = €200. That’s just a 2.4% edge—weigh your options.

---

This article is based on research by 360 Business Tour. For the most current prices and detailed route comparisons, visit the original guide.

---

Plan Your Trip

✈️ Search Cheap Flights — Compare 728 airlines
🏨 Find Hotels
🚗 Rent a Car — 800+ brands
🎧 Audio Tours
🎫 Skip-the-Line Tickets
🚕 Airport Transfer
🛡️ Travel Insurance
📱 Get an eSIM — code FALLY20
✈️ Flight Delayed? — claim up to €600