Traveling to America can be an exciting and unforgettable experience, but it can also be costly, especially regarding airfare. For budget-conscious travelers, finding the cheapest time to fly to America is crucial to making the trip more economical.
Understanding the factors influencing flight prices, such as seasonal trends, holidays, and even the day of the week, can significantly impact your travel budget. This article will explore strategies and tips for identifying the cheapest times to fly to America, helping you save money while planning your dream trip.
Cheapest Time to Book Flights to America in 2024
The cheapest time to fly to America in 2024 is generally considered to be:
- Shoulder seasons (Spring and fall): March, April, May (before Memorial Day weekend), September (after Labor Day weekend), and October are considered the cheapest times to buy flights.
- Winter (excluding holidays): January (except around major holidays like New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and February.
Here’s why these periods are typically cheaper:
- Lower demand: These times fall outside peak travel seasons like summer (when families travel for school breaks) and holidays (like Thanksgiving and Christmas). There’s generally less demand for flights during these shoulder and winter months, so airlines offer lower fares to entice travelers.
- More deals and sales: Airlines are more likely to run sales and promotions to fill empty seats during these times.
Cheapest Airlines that Fly to America with Average Prices
Here are 8 of the cheapest airlines that fly to America, along with their average prices:
- Frontier Airlines: Known for its rock-bottom fares, Frontier is a popular choice for budget-minded travelers. They primarily focus on short-haul domestic flights in the United States and Mexico. Average price: $180 (round trip)
- Spirit Airlines: Another ultra-low-cost carrier, Spirit offers competitive fares on domestic flights to the Caribbean and Latin America. Be aware that Spirit charges extra fees, including seat selection, checked bags, and luggage that doesn’t fit under the seat. Average price: $190 (round trip)
- Allegiant Air: Allegiant is a low-cost carrier focusing on leisure travel, such as flying to smaller airports in popular vacation destinations. Similar to Spirit, Allegiant charges extra fees for most amenities. Average price: $170 (round trip)
- JetBlue Airways: JetBlue is a major airline that offers a nice balance between affordability and amenities. They have a reputation for comfortable seating, friendly service, and inflight entertainment options, though their base fares tend to be a bit higher than the ultra-low-cost carriers. Average price: $230 (round trip)
- Southwest Airlines: Southwest is a major airline known for its two free checked bags, comfortable seating, and friendly service. They don’t offer assigned seating, so you’ll get a seat number when you check-in. Average price: $250 (round trip)
- Hawaiian Airlines: While Hawaiian Airlines might seem like an odd choice on a budget airline list, they frequently offer competitive fares on flights between the West Coast and Hawaii. Average price: $300 (round trip)
- Alaska Airlines: Alaska Airlines offers competitive fares on Alaska, Hawaii, and the West Coast flights. They also have a good reputation for customer service. Average price: $280 (round trip)
- United Airlines: United is a major airline offering a vast domestic and international flight network. While their base fares can be higher than some budget airlines, they frequently offer sales and promotions. Average price: $320 (round trip)
Pros & Cons of Flying to America During the Cheapest Time
Pros
- Save Money: The most significant advantage of the cheapest time to fly to America is substantial cost savings. Flights during peak seasons (summer & holidays) are much more expensive.
- Less Crowded: There will be fewer crowds at popular tourist destinations, attractions, and transportation hubs, making for a more relaxing and enjoyable travel experience.
- Pleasant Weather: The shoulder seasons (spring and fall) often boast comfortable temperatures, making them ideal for outdoor activities.
- Potential for Deals: Hotels and other travel components may offer lower prices during these times to attract visitors.
Cons
- Limited Availability: During the off-season, some attractions, tours, and events may have limited hours or be closed altogether.
- Weather Variability: Shoulder seasons can experience unpredictable weather patterns, so be prepared for rain or occasional snow, depending on the region. Winter months bring colder temperatures and potentially even travel disruptions due to snowstorms.
- Flight Options: Fewer flight options and routes may be available compared to peak season, potentially limiting your travel flexibility.
- Business Closures: Some restaurants and shops, particularly in smaller towns geared towards tourism, may have reduced hours or be closed entirely during the off-season.
Tips for Finding the Cheapest Flights to America in 2024
- Be flexible with your travel dates: If you’re flexible with when you can travel, you’re more likely to find a good deal. Try flying on weekdays (Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the cheapest) and avoid peak travel times.
- Consider flying into a smaller airport: Major airports are more expensive than smaller ones. If you’re flexible with your destination city, consider flying into a smaller airport that may be located outside of the main city center.
- Book your flights in advance: Generally, the best time to book domestic flights to America is 1-3 months in advance. However, you may find even better deals if you book further in advance, especially for international flights.
- Use flight deal websites and apps: Several websites and apps can help you find cheap flights, like Kayak & Skyscanner. These sites and apps typically aggregate deals from different airlines, allowing you to compare prices easily. Some popular options include Google Flights, Kayak, and Skyscanner.
Finally, we hope this article has helped you find the cheapest time to fly to America and make your travel planning easier. If you have any questions or tips from your experiences, feel free to comment below! We’d love to hear from you.
Share this BlogFrequently Asked Questions
The cheapest time to fly to America from Australia is typically between late January to early March and late August to early October during the off-peak travel seasons.
For the best deals, it is recommended to book your flight to America about 2 to 3 months in advance for international travel. This timing allows you to take advantage of lower fares before prices rise closer to the departure date.
Yes, flying to America on weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, is often cheaper than flying on weekends. Mid-week flights tend to have lower demand, resulting in better prices.
Yes, flight prices to America can vary significantly depending on the departure city. Larger airports and cities with multiple flight options generally offer more competitive prices compared to smaller, less trafficked airports.
Flying with layovers can often reduce the cost of traveling to America. Direct flights are usually more convenient but tend to be more expensive. Opting for flights with one or more layovers can lead to significant savings.
