When is the best time to book flights? Travel experts reveal costly mistakes to avoid

Dubai: Travel and aviation experts have advised travellers to book flights between two and four months before departure during peak travel periods to secure better fares and greater seat availability. They said the ideal booking window typically ranges from 60 to 120 days before travel, while long-haul routes and high-demand destinations may require bookings between 90 and 180 days in advance. The experts cautioned against waiting until the final weeks before departure during holidays, school breaks and peak travel seasons, noting that airline ticket prices are determined by demand, booking patterns and seat occupancy rather than a fixed fare. They added that although ticket prices may occasionally fall closer to departure dates, such cases are uncommon and should not be relied upon, particularly on high-demand routes. Demand drives prices Amin Al Awadhi, General Manager of Al Awadhi Travel Amin Al Awadhi, General Manager of Al Awadhi Travel, said booking around 90 days before departure is generally advisable for travellers seeking to avoid fare increases as travel dates approach. He noted that airfares are heavily influenced by demand levels and that travellers booking late often face higher prices, particularly on routes experiencing strong demand. Different fare categories Salah Mansour, Chief Executive Officer of STS at Dubai Link Group, recommended booking 60 to 90 days in advance. He explained that airlines sell seats across multiple fare categories and that not all seats on a flight are available at the same price. According to Mansour, discounted fares are usually allocated to a limited number of seats. Once these are sold, travellers are automatically moved to higher fare categories. He added that the presence of empty seats on a flight does not necessarily mean cheaper fares remain available. Mansour said airlines use revenue-management systems that continuously monitor booking activity and demand forecasts, adjusting pricing categories accordingly. Importance of early booking Sharif Al Faram, Chief Executive Officer of Sharif House Tourism and Travel, advised booking 90 to 120 days before travel. He said airline revenue departments closely monitor bookings and compare them with projected demand, with fares typically increasing as flights reach specific booking thresholds. As a result, travellers booking at a late stage may pay significantly more than those who secure seats earlier. Al Faram added that early booking becomes even more important during peak travel seasons when demand rises quickly and lower fare categories are exhausted sooner. Booking timing matters Alaa Al Ali, Director of Nirvana Travel and Tourism, said booking strategies vary depending on destination, season and travel dates. He advised travellers planning trips during busy periods to begin searching and booking around 120 days before departure while monitoring price trends and available options. Al Ali said the timing of a booking affects not only price but also access to preferred travel classes and seat availability. Season and destination Bader Ahli, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai World Travel Bader Ahli, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai World Travel, said destinations with consistently high occupancy levels, such as London and Bangkok, often require early booking. He explained that airline pricing systems are linked to occupancy rates and demand forecasts, meaning a fare available months in advance may disappear even if seats remain unsold. Ahli said a flight might initially offer 50 seats at AED1,000 each, but once they are sold, passengers would automatically move to a higher fare category, potentially paying AED1,500 or more for the same route. He stressed that prices are influenced by a combination of factors, including booking levels, demand forecasts, travel dates and destination popularity. While lower fares occasionally appear closer to departure through promotions or special offers, Ahli described such cases as rare and unsuitable as a booking strategy, particularly during peak seasons. He added that passengers sitting next to each other on the same flight may have paid different prices depending on when they booked. Long-haul flights Mohammed Jassim Al Rais, Chief Executive Officer of Al Rais Travel at Al Rais Group Mohammed Jassim Al Rais, Chief Executive Officer of Al Rais Travel at Al Rais Group, said no single booking rule applies to all destinations and routes. He recommended booking 60 to 120 days in advance during peak travel periods, while long-haul routes may require bookings between 90 and 180 days before departure. Al Rais said demand and supply remain the key drivers of pricing, with lower-priced fare categories gradually selling out as flights fill up. He advised travellers not to rely on last-minute offers during major holiday seasons, summer breaks or year-end travel periods, when demand is generally stronger. According to Al Rais, travellers who book early and remain flexible with their travel