KNOWING when to fly or when to book your next holiday without breaking the bank can feel like an impossible task.
However, travel experts Expedia has looked at both the data and customer research for their best flying tips for Brits heading abroad in 2026.
Included in Expedia’s 2026 Air Hacks Report is everything you need to know about travelling this year. Here’s what you need to know.
Fly on Fridays – and avoid Saturdays
Friday has become the cheapest day of the week to fly.
Compared to travelling on a Saturday, jetting off the day before can save up to 18 per cent.
But be warned that Friday is also the busiest day to fly – with Tuesdays being the least busy.
As for what day you’ll find the find the cheapest deals this is likely to be a Sunday – but Expedia adds that “flying on lower‑demand days unlocks bigger savings.”
Fly in June – and avoid December
The most affordable month to fly is June with flights 68 per cent cheaper on average than December – the most expensive month.
This saves holidaymakers roughly £250 per ticket.
Yet this changes depending on where you are flying.
If you’re hopping on a domestic flight then the cheapest month to book is January – with the most expensive being the height of summer in August.
Risk-takers might think that the closer you get to your holiday, the better deal you’ll get on flights – and you’d be right.
Book 30 days ahead – not six months
Expedia found that international travellers can save £93 on average by booking between 15 and 30 days ahead, instead of six months out.
For those who don’t want to leave it until the last minute, booking 31 – 45 days out can still save £85 compared to booking six months out.
Fly from Bournemouth and Belfast – and avoid Manchester and Heathrow
When it comes to actually flying, the choice of airport also makes a difference.
The most expensive UK airports to fly from are London Heathrow, Humberside and Manchester
Meanwhile, Belfast, Liverpool and Bournemouth are the most affordable UK departure airports.
Some destinations are seeing prices drop up to 67 per cent year-on-year too.
So if you head to Gdansk, Cork or Bordeaux, so you’re likely to get a good, cheap deal.
And lastly, while it might not save money – this hack may save you time.
Obviously some of the busiest times to travel are during summer, but other dates that see more travellers are October 24 and 25 and May 24, being near school holidays.
The quietest days based on bookings are March 4, 5 and 9 and December 31.
For more savings – here how one holidaymaker travelled to 41 countries and used a simple hotel trick to save her family hundreds.