If you usually fly after 3pm on a Friday, you're making a smart choice. According to online travel agency Expedia, flights between 3pm and 3am are the least likely to be cancelled, and Friday is generally the cheapest day of the week to travel.
The 2024 Expedia Air Travel Hacks Report, released on Wednesday, found that travellers who fly on a Friday can save up to 23% on average compared to those who fly on a Sunday, the most expensive day of the week.
However, the reverse is true when it comes to booking flights. Sunday is the best day to book airfares, while Friday is the most expensive. Booking a domestic economy ticket on a Sunday can save travellers about 20% on average, while booking international flights on this day can save about 18%.
But how far in advance should you book to get the best deal? Expedia has the answer.
For domestic economy travellers, booking 14 weeks ahead of departure can save up to 20% compared to booking last minute.
For international airfares, the ideal booking window is 27 to 53 days before your trip.
The travel company has been releasing its travel hacks report annually for over a decade, with this year's report coming at a time when household budgets are particularly tight.
A survey conducted in August of 1,000 Aussie flyers found that nearly one in three found air travel more daunting than making small talk, doing household chores, or dealing with a flooded email inbox. About 32% said the process of finding a good flight deal was especially stressful, and more than a quarter even checked back after booking to see if they could have gotten a better deal.
"Booking your next flight doesn’t need to be a stressful process," said Expedia Australia managing director Daniel Finch. "The good news is many of the things that contribute to travel stress are getting better, and Expedia is constantly releasing new tools like Price Tracking, that make the whole booking and flying journey smoother."
Unsurprisingly, the report listed Denpasar in Bali, Indonesia, as Australians' favourite international destination to fly to, followed by Bangkok in Thailand, London in the UK, and Singapore.
According to Expedia's flight demand data, Auckland, New Zealand, ranked number five, and Los Angeles, US, came in at number six.
Thailand made another appearance with Phuket as the seventh most popular overseas destination, followed by Tokyo in Japan, Nadi in Fiji, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
Perhaps more surprisingly, the Japanese city of Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido was named the fastest-growing destination. Famous for its beer and skiing, it is becoming a big hit with Aussies.