After you decide to book a trip, the main question is: How far in advance can I book a flight? This depends on numerous factors like the airline you choose, the destination you will travel and more. Here in this blog, we will discuss about advance booking, what are the benefits of advance booking, and tips for booking.
How Far in Advance Can I Book a Flight?
Here in this section, we will understand which airlines provide early booking facilities, budget airlines, etc. Booking international and domestic flights in advance, so you can save some extra bucks. Let’s dive in the details –
1. Budget Airlines –
Airlines that offer a little cheaper flights like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Southwest, their booking windows open 6 to 9 months prior. This helps travellers to plan their trips accordingly and also helps to save money at the same time. Early bookings are much cheaper than booking a few days before departure.
2. Major Airlines
Popular airlines like American Airlines, Delta, Lufthansa, etc release their tickets 11 months prior to departure. Passengers are free to book their desired flights in advance, paying much less. This early booking facility is ideal for special events or vacation planning.
3. International vs Domestic flights
International flights can be booked a year in advance than domestic ones because they are higher in demand. Therefore, the booking window for international routes opens much earlier. Domestic flights are available 9 to 11 months prior.
4. Charter and Low-cost Carriers
Charter flights and carriers open their booking as short as few months before the flight departure. These flights are mostly operated on a seasonal basis like peak holiday season or travel/vacation season.
What are The Benefits of Booking Flights Early?
There are so many benefits to booking flights in advance. It saves you from unnecessary hassle, getting tickets at much cheaper prices, Booking according to your convenience, etc. Let’s get into the details one by one –
1. Lower Fares
The biggest pro of booking early is that you get tickets at a much lower price. Often airlines offer discounted prices on popular routes when you book in advance. The price tends to increase when there is less availability of seats on the flight. Hence, the prices inflate after the seats a gradually filled.
2. Stress-free
By securing your flight by early booking, you are safe from any kind of stress associated with any last-minute flights travel arrangements.
3. Better Availability
You have the freedom to choose from a wider section of flights and your desired seats. Choose your convenient time for departure, select preferred amenities, and more as you are booking early.
4. Time to Plan And Prepare
Booking early gives you the privilege to plan and prepare for your trip with ample of time. If you are travelling internationally, things like securing visas, accommodations, preparing documentation, etc. This will help you to be prepared by the time of the trip.
Drawbacks of Booking Flights in Advance
After the benefits of booking early, let’s see what the disadvantages of booking a flight early.
1. Price Drops
Pre-booking has several benefits that include cheaper prices but the disadvantage is that the prices proclaimed before the incoming days or weeks can be lesser. Airlines usually come up with some sales or promotional fares nearer to the time of departure, sometimes even cheaper than the early bird fares.
2. Changing Plans
People’s lives are very dynamic and contingencies arise, so the arrangement may have to be changed. In case your travel dates as well as your destination changes you may find yourself in a complicated situation when you have booked a flight well in advance. Some airlines may change their bookings to be a little flexible but this action comes at a cost or you may have to pay more for the fares.
3. New Routes and Services
There are changes in the schedules and routes by airlines most of the time including the addition of new destinations or services. Making a booking too early may also predispose one to get a less favorable or more suitable slot as time goes on.
Tips for Hassle-free Flight Booking in Advance
- Use tools for fare comparison and flight tracking to monitor the prices of the destination you want to travel to. Set alerts that will help you book at the time when the prices are low.
- You should know the airline’s cancellation and change policies. As some airlines are flexible with their changing policies like changing dates with any incurring fees or getting travel credits on cancelling.
- You should have travelling insurance to be on the safer side. This insurance would include flight cancellations, delays, and many more.
- Flexibility is key to efficient travelling and saving. Try to be flexible when you are booking flight. Avoid travelling during holidays or peak travelling seasons.
- Subscribe yourself with airline emails and notifications where you can get alerts about flash sales, offers, and deals. This will help you to secure the best deal for your flight.
- Book from the airline’s website directly. The websites sometimes provide additional benefits such as loyalty rewards, better customer service, easier cancellation, etc.
Conclusion
There are several advantages in booking a flight in advance these include; cheaper fares, availability of better seats, and security. However, it must be noted that there are certain disadvantages of the above-said benefits, which include the failure to spot future cheaper prices or having to alter travel schedules. Analyzing the booking windows of the airlines and steps of the early booking, one can minimize the problems and get more relaxed during the travelling.
