Expedia's 2026 Air Hacks
Top tips for booking flights
Updated February 2026
Welcome to Air Hacks - your go‑to guide for smarter, easier, wallet‑friendly travel. Powered by millions of Expedia flight data points, Air Hacks reveals the best insider tips to help you save money, skip the crowds, and fly with confidence. From the cheapest days to take off to the ideal moment to book, these insights make planning your next trip simpler—and help you get the most out of every adventure.
Key Air Hacks for 2026
- Friday is the new best day to book: Friday is also the cheapest day to fly internationally—about 8% cheaper than Sunday, the most expensive day. For U.S. domestic trips, Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly, saving up to 14% compared to Sunday.
- The cheapest month to fly? August: August is the most budget-friendly month for international travel, with fares about 29% lower than in December (an average saving of $120).
- Travel on a Tuesday to avoid crowds: Tuesday is the least busy day to fly, with Sunday the busiest. February is the least busy month to fly while July is the busiest; the calmest individual dates are February 25, March 4 and November 18, and the peak dates are May 22, July 3 and August 29.
- Book at the right time for big savings: International travelers can save $190 on average by booking 31 – 45 days ahead, instead of six months out. For those bold travelers, booking 8–14 days ahead can offer the best value, saving $225 on average.
- ‘Micro-cations’ Take Off: 24-hour ‘micro-cations’ started as a TikTok trend but are going mainstream in 2026 – a quarter of both Millennials and Gen Z plan to fly somewhere for just 24-hours, with Toronto, Nassau and San Juan being the most popular
Saver Routes: International flights for under $275
Dreaming of an international adventure on a budget? These routes keep costs low, with flights for under $275 on average with Expedia. From tropical beaches to vibrant cities, these destinations prove that exploring the world doesn’t have to break the bank.
Trending International Flight Destinations for 2026
Looking for fresh travel inspiration? These destinations are seeing the biggest surge in interest for 2026 on Expedia, with places like Alghero, Italy and Ankara, Turkey climbing fast. From hidden Mediterranean gems to vibrant cities in Asia and Latin America, these trending spots are perfect for travelers eager to explore beyond the usual favorites.
Flight deals
Expedia’s Flight Deals tool on the app scans millions of flights daily to find quality flights from your chosen airport that are at least 20% lower than typically predicted prices for that route. The tool features a new interactive map feature to compare destinations, custom deal alerts and allows travelers to filter by destination and travel date
All average ticket pricing data and 24-hour destinations are based on bookings made on Expedia.com from December 2024 – November 2025, with any comparison metrics compared to December 2023 – November 2024. Most popular and trending destinations based on searches made on Expedia.com from December 2024 – November 2025, compared to searches made December 2023 – November 2024