If you’re looking to book a cheap flight, airfares are set to fall starting August 23, according to a new analysis by CheapOair, a day the company has dubbed “National Cheap Flight Day.”
Average prices for popular travel destinations will decrease approximately 30 percent for international travel and 14 percent for domestic travel August 23 as we head into the off-peak travel season, according to the report.
Among the top international destinations, Spain is seeing the largest percentage decreases. Madrid yields potential savings of over $250, and Barcelona will see savings of over $200. Asia is also expected to see massive decreases in airfares, with cities like Manila, Philippines showing prices decreasing by well over 32 percent, with a potential savings of over $300. For domestic destinations, Los Angeles tops the list with fares being 27 percent cheaper than normal. Chicago and Seattle follow, with price decreases at 15 percent and 14 percent.
Top International Destinations for Cheap Flight Day
Destination | Percentage Decrease | Savings Opportunity |
Madrid, Spain | 37% | Potential savings over $250 |
Barcelona, Spain | 33% | Potential savings over $200 |
Manila, Philippines | 32% | Potential savings over $300 |
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | 31% | Potential savings over $250 |
Bangkok, Thailand | 30% | Potential savings over $250 |
Rome, Italy | 28% | Potential savings over $200 |
Dubai, UAE | 24% | Potential savings over $150 |
Paris, France | 24% | Potential savings over $150 |
"As summer quickly comes to a close, so does the busiest time of the year for travel. Kids are back to school, the weather starts to cool down and people are gearing up for the holidays. As the demand for airfare decreases, so do the fares," said Sanjay Hathiramani, global SVP of supplier relations for CheapOair.
Top Domestic Destinations for Cheap Flight Day
Destination | Percentage Decrease | Savings Opportunity |
Los Angeles, California | 27% | Potential savings over $50 |
Chicago, Illinois | 15% | Potential savings over $30 |
Seattle, Washington | 14% | Potential savings over $30 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota | 14% | Potential savings over $25 |
Portland, Oregon | 13% | Potential savings over $30 |
San Diego, California | 11% | Potential savings over $25 |
Nashville, Tennessee | 11% | Potential savings over $25 |
Boston, Massachusetts | 10% | Potential savings over $20 |
"Cheap Flight Day isn't just one day of deals – it's the start of the off peak season. Fares are going to continue to stay low until Thanksgiving. Especially for those looking for deals to international destinations, the time to book your tickets are during this window, beginning at the end of August," said Hathiramani.
The report compared average fares booked through August 31, 2017, departing from all U.S. cities between June 1, 2017 and August 31, 2017, and between September 1, 2017 and November 31, 2017.
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