A text message pops up on your phone. It’s your friend’s group chat, and one of them just shared the news that your favorite boy band is playing for the first time in the last 10 years for the last time. You have to go. The date is two months out, and the venue is three states away. What will you wear? Where will you stay? And most importantly, what days will you be flying out and returning home?

Traveling by air is often busiest on peak weekdays, during certain seasons, and on holidays. It’s a little bit of a dancing act, but once you get the rhythm, it’s easy to book a flight with the best rate. Understanding these patterns can help you plan trips more strategically, avoid crowds, and find better airfare deals. Booking well in advance is always the best option.

If you have flexibility, traveling during off-peak or “dead weeks” can save money and reduce stress. “Off-peak” refers to times when demand for flights is lower, resulting in cheaper ticket prices, fewer crowds, and greater seat availability. “Dead weeks” in air travel refer to short, specific periods immediately before or after peak travel times when demand for flights drops significantly. During these lulls, airfare, hotel rates, and even vacation rentals are considerably cheaper, and airports and attractions are far less crowded.

Tips to Remember

• Flying midweek (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) often yields lower fares, even during peak seasons.
• Expect higher fares, crowded airports, and limited seat availability during peak travel times.
• Booking well in advance is crucial for peak periods.
• If you have flexibility, traveling during off-peak or “dead weeks” can save money and reduce stress.

Major Peak Travel Periods

• Summer (May to October) is the busiest travel season for airlines, particularly from June to August, as families take vacations and schools are out of session.
• The winter holidays, including the weeks around Christmas and New Year’s (mid-December through early January), are among the most crowded and expensive times to fly.
• Spring Break typically occurs from mid-March through early April, with exact dates varying by region and school district.
• The Thanksgiving holiday season (in the United States) peaks within the days just before and after Thanksgiving Day.

Other Holidays and Long Weekends

• Memorial Day (late May), Labor Day (early September), and other national or regional holidays create smaller peak periods.

Off-Peak and “Dead Weeks”

• January to February: Weeks between Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day
• September: The week after Labor Day
• November to December: Two weeks after Thanksgiving until mid-December