Are Overnight Flights Cheaper Than Daytime Flights?
  • 12 Jun, 2024
  • Travel tips
  • Travomint

Are Overnight Flights Cheaper Than Daytime Flights?

Planning to travel with the flight, but getting higher cost of the ticket due to this you are thinking to book at night to check does the prices drop or not. For this, you seek Do flight prices go down at night, so the Overnight flights, also called red-eye flights, can be cheaper than daytime flights for several reasons, which are listed below, consider it:

Lower Demand:  There is generally less demand for flights at night, so airlines may offer lower fares to fill seats.

Aircraft Utilization: Overnight flights allow airlines to keep their planes in use during off-peak hours, improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Fuel Costs: In some cases, there may be slight fuel cost savings associated with operating flights at night due to less air traffic congestion

Do Flight Prices Fluctuate Throughout the Night?

There needs to be a clear night-and-day pattern for flight prices. But the airlines do use complex things to adjust prices constantly, so there are some factors that you may remember:

Filling Empty Seats: As a flight approaches departure, airlines may drop prices on unsold seats to entice last-minute bookings.

Real-time Cancellations: If someone cancels a ticket close to the departure date, the airline might offer that seat at a discount.

Be Flexible: If your travel dates aren't set in stone, consider flying on weekdays or less popular times (like red-eye flights), which can be cheaper.

Track Prices: Use tools like Google Flights to monitor prices and set alerts for changes.

Book in Advance: Generally, booking 2-3 months ahead offers a good balance between price and availability.

Thus, the cheapest booking time can vary depending on the route and season.

Do Last-Minute Deals Often Occur During Night Hours?

There isn't a guarantee that last-minute flight deals will appear specifically at night. However, there are various reasons why you might see deals advertised more at night:

Time Zone Targeting:  Many flight search engines and travel companies operate internationally. They might advertise deals during nighttime for a particular region to target users who are more likely to be online.

Deal Updates: Airlines may update their fares and pricing throughout the day, and some sites might process and advertise these updates at night when there's less traffic.

Search Multiple Sites: Use flight comparison websites like Skyscanner, Kayak, or Google Flights to compare prices across multiple airlines.

Set Price Alerts: Many flight search engines allow you to set expense alerts for specific routes. You'll be notified if the price drops.

Consider Budget Airlines: Budget airlines often have lower fares, especially for last-minute bookings.

Be Flexible: You'll likely find a good deal if you're open to different destinations or travel dates.

Thus, throughout the following above mentioned tips, you can increase your chances of scoring a last-minute flight deal, day or night. Read more about How can I find the best deals on last-minute flights? 

Can Booking During Late Hours Save You Money on Airfare?

There's a common belief that booking flights super late at night can save you money.  However, according to the survey, the time of day you book generally doesn't impact on any kind of airfare. So, some essential points help you save money on airfare; get through the down points:

Booking window: The best window to book flights was Tuesdays at midnight, but this isn't necessarily the case anymore. Instead, focus on finding the cheapest day for your specific route, which could be any day of the week, depending on the airline. Sundays are more affordable for international flights, while domestic flights may vary slightly throughout the week.

Be flexible: If you are flexible with your flying dates (even by a day or two), you can find significant savings on your flight airfare.

Consider alternative airports: Look for flights to smaller airports near your destination, as they may be cheaper than flying into the central hub.

Weekdays vs. Weekends: Flying on weekdays (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is cheaper than on weekends. Likewise, red-eye flights (late departures) can be more affordable than prime-time flights, but these come with the risk of delays.

Use flight search tools: Many flight search tools, such as Google Flights or Hopper, can track prices and alert you when they drop for your desired route.

While the time of day you book might be a minor factor, using these strategies can help you score the best deals on airfare.