Finding cheap flights can be a frustrating experience. With airfare prices constantly fluctuating, it can be difficult to know when is the optimal time to book a flight. However, there are certain tricks travelers can use to increase their chances of scoring a good deal on airfare. One strategy is to pay attention to the cheapest days to fly for specific routes. The day of the week on which you depart can have a significant impact on the price you’ll pay for a plane ticket. When headed to popular tourist destinations like Orlando, knowing the cheapest day to fly out can lead to big savings.
What factors affect the cheapest day to fly?
There are a few key factors that determine airfare costs and cause prices to vary by day of the week:
Supply and demand
This is one of the biggest contributors to fluctuation in airfare prices. When demand for flights is high and seats start filling up, prices usually go up. When fewer people are booking flights on a particular day, airlines will drop prices to try to fill up the plane. Weekends and holidays are generally the highest demand flying days.
Competition
If an airline has lots of competition on a route from other carriers, this can drive down prices as the airlines try to undercut each other and capture more of the market. Less competition typically leads to higher fares.
Timing of business travel
Many business travelers book mid-week flights to attend meetings and conferences. This corporate travel market helps drive up demand and prices early in the work week.
Length of stay
Travelers staying over a Saturday night tend to get lower fares since people on weekend getaways can be more flexible with their flight times. Prices go up when demand is highest for quick short trips.
What is the cheapest day of the week to fly to Orlando?
When looking at average ticket prices, Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently emerge as the cheapest days to fly to Orlando.
Cheapest day chart
Here’s an overview of the average ticket prices to Orlando by departure day:
Day of Week | Average Price |
---|---|
Monday | $362 |
Tuesday | $327 |
Wednesday | $331 |
Thursday | $366 |
Friday | $415 |
Saturday | $397 |
Sunday | $381 |
Flight prices jump up later in the week when many business travelers start heading out for weekend meetings and conventions. Then prices peak over the weekend when demand is highest from leisure travelers. By departing on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you can take advantage of lower mid-week fares before the late week spike.
Differences by time of year
While Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently offer the best prices, there is some seasonal variation. During peak holiday travel periods like spring break and the summer, weekends become extremely expensive. The difference between mid-week and weekend fares is even more pronounced.
In the fall and winter, demand settles down and weekend prices aren’t quite as inflated. However, Tuesdays and Wednesdays still tend to offer savings over late week departures. Disney World, conferences, and warm weather keep Orlando demand fairly steady year-round.
How much can you save flying on the cheapest day?
Choosing the cheapest departure day for flights to Orlando can lead to significant savings, especially when you’re booking trips for families or large groups. Here are some examples of potential savings based on average prices:
- A family of 4 could save $220 by flying on Tuesday instead of Sunday
- A couple could save $125 by flying on Wednesday rather than Saturday
- A group of 6 could save $350 by leaving on Tuesday rather than Friday
Savings will vary depending on group size, actual flight prices at booking, and seasonal demand differences. However, Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently offer the most room for discount airfare.
Other ways to find cheap Orlando flights
While choosing the cheapest days of the week to depart is a great start, there are some other tips and strategies travelers can use to maximize savings on flights to Orlando:
Book well in advance
Booking at least a few months ahead of time allows access to the lowest fares before prices start to rise.
Use flight deal alerts
Sign up for alerts and price drop notifications so you’ll be notified when cheap Orlando flights become available.
Be flexible with dates
If possible, look at airfare on various dates and skip peak seasons. Consider flying mid-week even if staying over weekends.
Check alternate airports
Look for deals into nearby Sanford Airport or regional airports like Tampa or Jacksonville to get lower prices.
Fly budget airlines
Carriers like Spirit and Frontier offer very low base fares and lots of sales. Just watch out for extra fees.
Conclusion
Finding affordable airfare makes vacations and getaways much more accessible. By paying attention to the cheapest days of the week to fly out for a certain route, travelers can increase their chances of scoring lower fares. For popular destinations like Orlando, Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently emerge as the cheapest departure days thanks to lower mid-week demand.
Savvy travelers who select the most budget-friendly flying days, book in advance, remain flexible, and utilize other money-saving tips can save hundreds on their next flights. Keeping the cheapest day in mind when planning a trip to Orlando can lead to big savings for individuals, couples, families, and groups.