According to a Hopper study, January will be the least expensive month of the year to buy a ticket, with costs falling 11% from the previous month.
It is anticipated that domestic prices will begin even lower than in 2023 and stay that way for the following six months.
Domestic ticket costs for the first half of 2024 will be less than those of the previous year and the pre-pandemic period.
Then, in the late spring, prices will start to climb in anticipation of spring break and summer.
“After a busy holiday travel season, we are expecting another strong year for travel ahead — and there’s good news for those planning 2024 trips,” Hayley Berg, the head economist at Hopper, told T+L. “Flexibility continues to be a key trend for consumers in 2024 coming out of the pandemic. A shift in consumer behavior has solidified in the last three years, with more and more travelers willing to pay extra for products specifically designed to protect them from travel disruptions.”
Hopper advised travelers to book in January in order to find cheap flights because these deals frequently occur after the peak travel season. Additionally, travelers ought to think about booking their flights during the week, as Wednesday is usually the most affordable day and Sunday the most expensive.
Another method for getting the best deal is to book early. Three to four months prior to their intended departure date, Hopper advises travelers to begin keeping an eye on airfare costs. Customers of Hopper, Google Flights, or Skyscanner can set up price alerts.
In 2024, travelers will seek diversity, with well-liked travel spots including the bright lights of Las Vegas, Orlando’s entertainment district, Miami’s beaches, and more. Travelers from around the world are itching for warm weather, and the most popular destinations are Cancun and Punta Cana, followed by cities like London, Rome, and Tokyo.