Google identifies optimal booking windows for holiday and vacation flights

Google released a study based on five years of its flight-search data, revealing the most cost-effective times to purchase airline tickets for major travel periods. For Thanksgiving, the optimal booking window is 34 days before the flight, with the cheapest range between 21 and 57 days. Christmas fares now hit their lowest point 56 days ahead, a shift of roughly five days earlier than the previous year, with the best range from 33 to 67 days.

Spring-break travelers should aim to book about 50 days in advance, while summer vacationers find the best deals around 21 days before departure. The company also found that Wednesday bookings are slightly cheaper than other days, though the difference is minimal, and that flying on weekdays—especially departing Monday and returning Tuesday or Wednesday—can save up to 20% versus weekend itineraries. Finally, opting for connecting flights rather than nonstop routes can lower ticket costs by about 20% on average.