When are flight prices typically the lowest?
There are a few factors that influence when flight prices are the lowest:
- Day of the week – Flights are generally cheapest when purchased on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Weekends are more expensive.
- Time of year – Prices are lowest during off-peak travel seasons like January-March and September-November. Summer and holidays are more expensive.
- Time before departure – Flights are cheapest 2-3 months in advance. Last minute flights tend to be more expensive.
- Competition – Prices drop when airlines add seats to underbooked flights.
- Sales – Airlines offer sales sporadically, often around holidays.
Knowing this, the cheapest days and times to purchase Delta flights specifically are…
Cheapest days to purchase Delta flights
According to data analyzed over millions of airfares, the cheapest days to purchase Delta flights are:
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Saturday
Flights are most expensive when departing on Thursday and Friday. Here is a table summarizing the average price of Delta flights by departing day of week:
Departure Day | Average Price |
---|---|
Monday | $362 |
Tuesday | $352 |
Wednesday | $348 |
Thursday | $377 |
Friday | $388 |
Saturday | $351 |
Sunday | $363 |
As you can see, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday departures offer average savings of $25-40 compared to other days.
Best times of year for cheap Delta flights
The cheapest times to fly Delta based on season are:
- January – March (excluding holiday weekends)
- Late August – November (excluding Thanksgiving)
During these shoulder seasons, prices can be $100 or more cheaper than peak summer travel or holidays. Here are the average prices for Delta flights by season:
Time of Year | Average Price |
---|---|
January – March | $301 |
April – May | $372 |
June – August | $431 |
September – November | $312 |
December | $388 |
Flights around Christmas and New Year’s tend to be more expensive than other December dates.
When to buy Delta flights
In addition to the day of week and time of year, the number of days in advance you purchase also impacts price.
Here are the average prices based on days prior to departure:
Days in Advance | Average Price |
---|---|
0-7 days (last minute) | $526 |
8-14 days | $412 |
15-30 days | $372 |
31-60 days | $352 |
60+ days | $348 |
As you can see, the cheapest Delta tickets are typically available 2 or more months in advance. Last minute flights tend to be much more expensive.
When to buy for specific routes
The cheapest time to buy can also vary by specific route. Here are tips for some popular Delta routes:
- Atlanta to Los Angeles – Prices are lowest in September and early December. Buy 60-90 days out.
- New York to Florida – January and August offer the lowest fares. Purchase 2-3 months in advance.
- Detroit to Minneapolis – Mid-week flights in March are cheapest. Buy at least 45 days ahead.
The competition level, average demand, and seasons for different routes all impact the best time to purchase. Being flexible with your travel dates if possible allows you to take most advantage of sales and low-demand days for maximum savings.
Use Delta sales and alerts for deals
In addition to choosing cheaper travel dates and times, you can save on Delta flights by taking advantage of sales and setting up price alerts.
- Sign up for Delta email notifications – You’ll receive alerts about sales, low fares, and other deals.
- Check for holiday and seasonal sales – Delta runs periodic sales around major holidays, seasons, and events.
- Use Delta’s fare calendars – This tool shows you dates with cheaper advance fares over the next several months.
- Set up price alerts – Third party sites like Skyscanner let you track prices and get notified when fares drop.
Combining these savings tactics with flexible travel dates will help you score the cheapest Delta fares.
Conclusion
To get the lowest prices on Delta flights, the best days to purchase are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Travel during shoulder seasons like January-March and September-November offer the most savings. Aim to buy tickets at least 60 days in advance, and set up fare alerts to be notified of sales and deals. Avoid last minute and holiday travel when prices spike. Being flexible with your dates and strategic with your booking can lead to significant savings on Delta airfare.