airplane-cell-phone
Gogo Inc. announced Friday it is expanding its in-flight technology to allow smartphone users to make phone calls and send text messages while in the air. Courtesy / Reuters

Looking to book a vacation? Wondering what the prime time for airfare deals is? A massive study published this week reveals the best time to buy tickets — including premier travel destinations outside the United States.

The CheapAir.com study was published Thursday and examines the best times to purchase discounted airfare for both domestic and international flights. The study looked at 351,568,000 airfares for 1,098,650 international trips over the last year across 3,010 international markets. It found that rather than planning too early or booking last-minute, travelers should be purchasing airfare somewhere in the middle.

Savvy flyers should reportedly be booking their domestic flights between three weeks to three and a half months in advance. International flights, however, are generally a steal if bought at least two months ahead of the desired travel date.

The study gave a rundown of the best times to book ahead of travel, right down to the day. Per CNBC:

  • Canada: 59 days
  • Mexico: 61 days
  • Asia: 90 days
  • Europe: 99 days
  • Africa: 119 days
  • Middle East: 119 days
  • Central America: 61 days
  • Caribbean: 76 days
  • South America: 81 days

Flights between the US and Asia should be booked three months in advance, according to the study. Why?

“There is an excess capacity on trans-Pacific flights (especially China),” CheapAir.com CEO Jeff Klee told CNBC. “If there are more seats available at the lower price point at dates closer to travel, the over-supply might explain this phenomenon, at least in part.”

The study does, however, provide a caveat to their cheaper-than-normal estimations: They exclude major holidays. As International Business Times previously reported, booking flights to premier destinations during peak tourism seasons will almost certainly guarantee surge pricing. That especially goes for summertime months.

“Don't travel when everyone else is. Go to Disneyland or Las Vegas after Thanksgiving and before Christmas,” recommends KAYAK’s “Low Fare Tips” page. “Not only will the flights be cheaper but the lines shorter, too. Or fly on Christmas Day when everyone is there already (and the flight attendants are extra nice).”

However, for those looking to book summertime European travel, Travel and Leisure reported Wednesday that round-trip tickets can be purchased to major cities across Europe for as low as $304 for those who act fast.

airplane
RELATED STORIES
China