July is the cheapest month to fly 

Sundays are the cheapest day to book your flight 

Tuesdays are the least busy day to travel  

Booking domestic flights 63-72 days out can save up to 16 per cent 

Toronto a top 10 destination for U.S.A., Mexico, Hong Kong, and U.A.E. travellers 

Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report is debunking myths, revealing July, a peak summer travel time, is the cheapest month to travel. Average air ticket prices are up to 11 per cent cheaper in July than March when booking a trip from a Canadian origin airport 

In this year’s report, Expedia® challenges common travel misconceptions with an analysis of billions of data points and the most extensive air ticketing database in the world, through collaboration with Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) and Official Airline Guide (OAG). 

Myth #1: “Summer is always the most expensive time to travel.”  
Busted: July is the cheapest month to travel, March is the most expensive. 

• Travelling economy in July instead of March can save travellers up to11 per cent and flying premium in July instead of September can save up to 13 per cent¹ 

Myth #2: “The day of the week I book my flight doesn’t matter.”  
Busted: Booking on a Sunday can keep more in your wallet.  

• Booking on the right day can make a world of difference. Sunday is officially the cheapest day to book flights, with savings of up to 10 per cent compared to booking on a Friday.²  

Myth #3: “The day of the week I travel doesn’t affect the cost.”  
Busted: Thursdays and Fridays are the cheapest day to depart. 

• It’s not just when you book, it’s when you fly. Domestic travellers who depart on Friday instead of Monday can save up to 23 per cent. On the international front, Thursday is the cheapest day to fly—travellers can save up to 7 per cent compared to flying on a Saturday.³ 

Myth #4: “The further ahead you book, the cheaper it will be.”  
Busted: There’s a magic window when it comes to booking flights.  

• Booking too far in advance can actually cost travellers. When travelling domestic, booking 63-72 days out can save travellers up to 16 per cent in comparison to the average ticket price. For international voyages, the sweet spot is closer to departure at 43-54 days out, with a savings of up to 5 per cent.⁴ 

Myth #5: “Premium tickets are always too expensive to consider.”  
Busted: Premium fare is now lower than in 2019. 

• Thinking of upgrading? The price gap between premium and economy tickets is 3 per cent smaller than it was pre pandemic.⁵ 

Myth#6: “Every flight I take always seems full” 
Busted: Carefully choosing the day can mean less crowds. 

• Tuesday is the quietest day to travel with Friday being the busiest. January is the least busy month for air travel. 
   

“It’s smart to keep the 2025 Air Hacks in mind when booking flights, but the best hack is to let technology find the best value. Set up Expedia’s Flight Price Tracker on the app. It notifies you when flight prices change and uses data to help you decide when to book,” said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations.  

“The peak of summer is the cheapest month to fly, and booking too far out can actually cost you money – these realities fly in the face of advice floating around the internet,” said Melanie Fish. “It makes sense to trust the billions of data points from across the world and every airline that go into the Expedia Air Hacks report.” 

 “ARC’s data provided valuable insights into debunking travel myths for Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report that will go a long way to helping travellers prepare for their 2025 vacations,” said Chuck Thackston, managing director of data science and research at ARC. “In 2025, affordable premium and economy fares can help passengers as they continue to prioritize international travel with their discretionary spending to explore new destinations around the world.” 

Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report also uncovers the most popular and trending destinations Canadian travellers are flying to. Internationally, Las Vegas, New Delhi, Orlando, and London are among top the most popular, and domestically Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montréal top the list. 

Trending international destinations seeing over 70 per cent rise in popularity include Dallas, U.S.A. (+250 per cent), Florence, Italy (+110 per cent), Cuaco, Peru (+90 per cent) and Okinawa, Japan (+80 per cent).  Trending domestic destinations experiencing a 60 per cent or more rise in visitors, include Edmonton (+255 per cent), Toronto (+255 per cent) Kitchener-Waterloo (+60 per cent), and Winnipeg (+60 per cent).⁶ 

For more insights and data, read the full 2025 Air Hacks Report and get tips from TikTok star and former flight attendant Jeenie Weenie below. 

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2025 Air Hacks Full Report 

WHEN TO BOOK 

• Book airfare on a Sunday to save up to 10 per cent. Travellers booking on Sundays can save up to 15 per cent on domestic flights compared to Fridays, and up to 9 per cent on international flights compared to Fridays⁷ 

• Book domestic flights at least 63 days in advance to save up to 16 per cent. Travellers who booked 63 to 72 days before departure saved up to 44 per cent compared to those who waited until the last minute (6-12 days before departure).⁸ 

• Book international airfare 43 to 54 days before departure to maximize savings. Travellers who booked during this ideal window saved up to 11 per cent compared to those who booked 6 to 12 days in advance, the ‘worst’ time to book.⁹ 

WHEN TO TRAVEL 

• Depart on a Thursday for international trips to save up to 8 per cent. Travellers who depart on Thursdays save up to 8 per cent compared to those who depart on Sundays, the most expensive day to start an international trip.¹⁰ 

• Depart on a Friday for domestic trips to save up to 23 per cent. Travellers who depart on Fridays save up to 23 per cent compared to those departing on Mondays, which are typically the priciest days for domestic travel.¹¹ 

• Depart before 3 p.m. to reduce chance of cancellations.³ Flights departing between 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. are most likely to experience cancellations, followed by 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. flights which have a 16 per cent higher chance overall. ¹²  

• Cancellations are lowest in March. With just 1.9 per cent of flights cancelled on average, March is the most reliable for travel, offering lower cancellation rates compared to other times of the year.¹³ 

• July is the cheapest month for economy tickets. Travellers can save up to 11 per cent by traveling in July, compared to March, the most expensive month for economy tickets.¹⁴ 

• July is the cheapest month for premium tickets. Travellers can save up to 13 per cent by traveling in July, compared to September, the most expensive month for premium tickets.¹⁵ 

• Fly on Tuesday to avoid the crowds. Travellers who fly on Tuesdays may enjoy quieter airports. While it may not always be the cheapest day to travel, it’s the best choice for those seeking a more relaxed trip.¹⁶ 

MONEY-SAVING TOOLS 

• Price Tracking: Take the guess work out of deciding when to book with Price Tracking on the Expedia app, which notifies travellers when flight prices change and uses exclusive data to help travellers decide when to book. 

• Bundling: With flights, car rentals, hotels and activities, Expedia offers a wide selection of customizable vacation packages in one place, allowing travellers to save hundreds of dollars on average when booking multiple items on Expedia. Whether booking items together in the same transaction or in steps, travellers also have their itinerary all in one place making it easier to keep track of their journey. 
   

2025 AIR TRAVEL TRENDS 

• Economy ticket prices are down: Economy tickets have decreased by 4.5 per cent compared to 2023.¹⁷ 

• The price gap between premium and economy tickets is 3 per cent lower than in 2019. Now is a great time to upgrade to business or first class for a more comfortable travel experience compared to pre-pandemic years.¹⁸ 

• Most popular destinations: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montréal range among the most popular domestic destinations for Canadian flyers. For international destinations, Las Vegas, New Delhi, Cancún and London.¹⁹ 

• Trending international destinations: The international destinations that are seeing increases in Canadian visitors are Dallas, U.S.A. (+250 per cent), Bucharest, Romania (+215 per cent), Detroit, USA (+150 per cent) Florence, Italy (+110), Cuaco, Peru (+90 per cent) and Okinawa, Japan (+80 per cent).²⁰ 

• Trending domestic destinations: The Canadian destinations that are seeing the biggest increase in visitors are Edmonton (+255 per cent), Toronto (+225 per cent), Montréal.(+115 per cent), Kitchener-Waterloo (+60 per cent) and Winnipeg (+60 per cent). ²¹ 

• New airports are opening around the world, improving travel connections. Tulum International Airport (Mexico) and Rajkot International Airport (India) both opened in December 2023, Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (Cambodia) opened in October 2023, Çukurova International Airport (Turkey) opened in August 2024, and Sao Jose dos Campos (Brazil) opened in February 2024.²² 

Jeenie Weenie’s Expert Hacks 

Want to snag a flight upgrade? Expedia has partnered with TikTok star and former flight attendant Jeenie Weenie, to share  her top insider hacks  air etiquette tips. Jeenie has over 10 million followers on TikTok and is known for her hilarious videos of her life as a flight attendant.  

According to Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks report, Tuesday is the least crowded day to fly, meaning less competition for overhead bin space and less concern about reclining. Regardless of flight occupancy, these tips will maximize your comfort. 

Etiquette and in-flight comfort tips 

1. The pillowcase hack – When I travel, I maximize my carry-on allowance by using this pillowcase tip. I stuff a pillowcase with clothes or even a jacket, to save space in my luggage and to create the perfect in-flight pillow. It means not only can you pack more clothes, but you can sleep more comfortably onboard. Just be mindful that rules vary by airline on what’s allowed in your bag. 
    

2. Keep your skin hydrated with an in-flight beauty routine: Take care of your skin and do your beauty routine right in your seat—just be mindful of other passengers. I use hydrating products like a facial mist with aloe or rose water, and apply a hydrating toner, serum, and moisturizer before take-off, and lock it all in with a face oil. For an extra boost, I’ll put on a sheet mask during the flight. A flight attendants’ top beauty secret is papaw ointment. It’s a lifesaver for dry lips in the air, and great for minor burns, sunburn, cuts, bites, and even diaper rash! 
    

3. Unspoken seat rules – When possible, I glance back or notify the person behind me before reclining my seat. It’s a small but respectful gesture that helps avoid drinks spilling or laptops (or knees!) getting crushed. There are some unspoken seat etiquette rules that make flights more comfortable for everyone. Firstly, the middle seat gets both armrests—it’s only fair since they’re in the least desirable spot. Then on domestic flights, it’s generally a no-go to recline, but it’s more common on long-haul international flights, just make sure you respectfully recline! 
    

4. Get your meal choice! If you want a better choice of meal, sit near the front. You can also preorder a special meal, so that you guarantee your meal choice. Sometimes airlines also send you an email to choose your meal weeks in advance. Don’t fall asleep for the first hour or you’ll miss meal service. Special hack – if you are still hungry after your meal, you can come to the galley and ask the flight attendant for any leftover meals, they will give it to you as it’ll be trash anyways. 
    

5. Share the power outlet: If there’s only one outlet available, consider bringing a splitter so you and your neighbor can both charge your devices without any conflict. It’s a simple solution that ensures everyone stays powered up throughout the flight—and who knows, you might just make a new friend along the way! 

Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks reveals that January is the cheapest month to travel in premium classes so If you don’t want to rely on haggling for an upgrade, you may be able to grab a great business class deal then. If not, here are some tips to help you bag an upgrade: 

Upgrade Tips 

1. Ask to move towards the front of the plane: When I travel solo, I politely let the gate agent know that I’m traveling alone, and if a family needs to sit together I don’t mind “moving my seat up towards the front of the plane” or “in an exit row”, so that the families have the ability to sit together. I’ve been moved up a few times offering this. Mind you, I don’t mention an upgrade. Just “moving up towards the front of the plane.” 
    

2. Check your emails before you fly: Airlines may email you on the day of departure, offering a cheap (but not free) upgrade. So keep an eye on your inbox. I’ve missed these emails before, so keep checking your emails even up to a couple of hours before you fly. 
    

3. Feel like you’re in business class in economy: Book seats in the first row of economy or in the emergency exit row for more leg room. If you do book an exit row seat, know that you will be responsible for helping during an emergency. You can also book in the very back if not in a rush to leave the plane as there is a higher chance you will get a full row to yourself. If you are a couple you can also take the aisle and window and hope no one takes the middle! 
    

4. Leverage credit card perks. Many travel credit cards offer complimentary upgrades, lounge access, or other in-flight benefits. Utilize these to upgrade your overall travel experience. 
    

5. Become a flight attendant’s best friend or give them gifts: Politeness and even gifts might score you extra perks like a free drink or extra attention. Sometimes maybe an upgrade! Kill the cabin crew with kindness! 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

Images can be found here

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Data Sources

 ¹ The cheapest month to travel is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

² Best day of the week to book recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

³ Best day of the week to depart recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

⁴ Ideal booking window recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through November for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

⁵ First and business travel premium % over economy is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October 2024, compared to the same period in 2019, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

⁶Trending international destinations to fly to are based on Expedia flight bookings to-date on respective POSa, this year vs. last year. 

⁷Best day of the week to book recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

⁸Ideal booking window recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through November for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

⁹Ideal booking window recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through November for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

¹⁰Best day of the week to depart recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

¹¹Best day of the week to depart recommendation is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

¹²Most reliable time of day to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight-status data sourced from OAG’s global flight data platform. 

¹³Most reliable month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG’s global flight data platform. 

¹⁴The cheapest month to travel is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

¹⁵The cheapest month to travel is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

¹⁶The quietest day and month to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to October 2024. 

¹⁷Price development information is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2024 & average round-trip ticket prices for January through October for 2023, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.  

¹⁸First and business travel premium % over economy is based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through October 2024, compared to the same period in 2019, sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database. 

¹⁹The most popular destinations information is based on Expedia’s 2024 flight demand through January to October 2024. 

²⁰The trending destination information is based on Expedia’s 2024 flight demand to-date and flight demand in the same period last year. 

²¹The trending destination information is based on Expedia’s 2024 flight demand to-date and flight demand in the same period last year. 

²²The new airport openings data is sourced from ARC’s global airline sales database.