The tour operator Expediain collaboration with theAirlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), publishes its annual report on best tips and tricks For Travel by plane.
At the same time, the online travel site conducted a study among French people in order to identify their concerns and respond more appropriately to their expectations. According to this study, 33% of French travelers consider air travel to be a stressful experience, and this is even more true among younger people (48% among 18-24 year olds and 35% among 25-34 year olds). Moreover, more than a third simulate flights on three different sites before booking (37%) and 15% even check the price of tickets after booking to see if they could have save more.
Up to 84% of French people do not book their long-haul flights at the best time, with the majority booking more than 3 months in advance. The main reason ? For more than two-thirds of French people (68%), the experience of traveling by plane (from finding the flight to the trip itself) is even more stressful if the flight is booked at the last minute.
To get the best price
By booking on Sunday, travelers can save an average of 25% on domestic flights and 19% on international flights compared to booking on Friday and Saturday, the least advantageous days. Friday is considered the best day to travel abroad, with a saving of 20% on average, and Saturday the best day for a domestic trip, with a saving of 31%. It is best to avoid Sunday as a departure day for international and Tuesday for domestic.
Follow price developments
-Prices for domestic flights tend to increase 7 weeks before departure. So, the ideal is to book 25 weeks in advance to benefit from 22% savings on average.
-Prices for international flights3 are less volatile this year and it is therefore not necessary to book too far in advance. Therefore, the ideal is to book 15 to 28 days in advance to benefit from 14% savings on average compared to a reservation made 5 to 6 months in advance. However, it is recommended that travelers who feel more comfortable booking earlier do so between 6 and 9 weeks before departure, still allowing them a saving of 12% on average compared to the earliest period. dear.
-It is also recommended to monitor the prices of the desired airline through travel apps. On the Expedia app, travelers can activate the “Price tracking” and automatically receive a push notification when the price fluctuates and know the current lowest price in order to book at the best time.
Potentially canceled and delayed flights are the number one stress factor for 65% of French people according to the Expedia study. By following a few tips, it is possible to minimize the risk of cancellations and delays.
To avoid cancellations and delays
In general, delays have decreased significantly compared to last year. While the average length of delays is now just 44 minutes this year, it was 239 minutes last year. Choosing the right month to travel can therefore pay off: January is the most reliable month to travel not only because the duration of delays is the shortest (like May) but also because the cancellation rates of flights are the lowest. On the other hand, June is considered the least reliable with the highest cancellation rates and the longest duration of delays (just like July).
Flights departing before 3:00 p.m. (3:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) are least likely to be canceled. In contrast, flights with departure times after 3:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.) are 31% more likely to be canceled.
Among the most stressful situations cited by the French, we find: the fear of missing boarding, flight delays/cancellations, the possibility of being stuck in traffic jams on the way to the airport, long queues waiting and crowds at the airport… Situations, which according to them, are more distressing than losing their child or traveling companion at the airport!
Tips for avoiding queues
For travelers stressed by the rush at the airport, it is recommended to fly during the least popular periods: January is the quietest month and, throughout the year, Tuesday is the day of the week. the calmest in terms of departures. Also, some airports offer travelers the possibility of reserving a time slot in advance in order to access security control more peacefully.
