Expedia's 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report Unveils Key Insights for Optimal Booking and Travel

Expedia's 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report Unveils Key Insights for Optimal Booking and Travel

New York, NY - Expedia, one of the world's leading online travel platforms, has released its 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, offering travelers invaluable insights into the best practices for booking flights and optimizing their travel experiences. The report, backed by extensive data analysis, aims to alleviate the stress associated with air travel, which affects 39% of Canadian flyers, according to a recent survey.

The report's key findings include:

Booking Insights:

• Best Day to Book: Booking airfare on a Sunday can lead to up to 24% savings. On average, travelers booking on Sundays saved around 17% on domestic flights and 24% on international routes compared to those booking on Fridays.
• Optimal Booking Window: For domestic flights, travelers can save up to 33% by booking at least 25 days in advance. For international flights, it's advisable to avoid booking too early, specifically 106 days out, as prices tend to be higher. The sweet spot for international bookings is 30-37 days before departure.

Travel Insights:

• Best Day to Depart: Starting a trip on a Thursday can lead to up to 13% savings. Conversely, Sundays are typically the most expensive days to begin a journey.
• Flight Timing: While 24% of Canadian travelers prefer to avoid early morning flights, data suggests that flights departing after 3 p.m. have an 18% higher chance of cancellation. Thus, earlier departures might be more reliable.

Trends and Tools:

• Air Travel Trends: Long-haul flights are nearing 2019 levels, with only a 5% decrease. Short-haul flights are at 74% compared to 2019. Average economy ticket prices have decreased by up to 3% compared to 2022.
• Popular Destinations: Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary are top domestic destinations for Canadian flyers. Internationally, Las Vegas, Cancun, and New York City are the most sought-after destinations. Beijing, China, has emerged as the fastest-growing destination.
• Money-Saving Tools: Expedia's Price Tracking feature notifies travelers of price changes, helping them determine the best booking times. Additionally, bundling services like flights, car rentals, and hotels can lead to significant savings.

Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations, emphasized the importance of reducing travel-related stress, stating, "Booking a flight shouldn't be as stressful as getting a cavity filled." She highlighted Expedia's continuous efforts to enhance the booking experience, mentioning tools like Price Tracking and Trip Planner.

The report results from collaborating with the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) and OAG, leveraging billions of data points from the world's most comprehensive airline ticketing database.