Why You Should Never Book Flights on Mondays

Most travelers assume that flight prices are consistent throughout the week. Some even believe Monday is the best day to book airfare because airlines start the week with promotions.

The truth is the opposite. Mondays are often the worst day to book flights if your goal is to save money. Understanding why can prevent hundreds of dollars in wasted airfare.

How Airlines Price Tickets

Airline ticket pricing is complex and dynamic. Fares change constantly based on:

Demand – Airlines monitor which flights are selling and adjust prices accordingly.
Competition – Prices shift in response to what other airlines are charging.
Booking algorithms – AI-driven systems predict the best price to maximize revenue.
Time to departure – Prices often rise as the flight date approaches, though sometimes last-minute discounts appear.

These algorithms react differently on different days of the week, which explains why Monday can be a poor choice.

Why Mondays Are Usually Expensive

1. Weekend Travelers Influence Pricing

Most weekend travelers book Friday through Sunday. On Monday:

Airlines analyze weekend bookings.
Popular routes that filled quickly get price increases.
Less popular routes may remain the same or only slightly decrease.

In short, Monday pricing reflects the high demand from the weekend.

2. Business Travelers Skew Prices

Business travelers often book early in the week for midweek flights.

Airlines know that weekday travelers are less price sensitive.
Monday bookings are more likely from business travelers needing last-minute or urgent flights.
Prices adjust upward to capture these higher-paying customers.

3. Promotional Sales Usually Start Midweek

While many believe airlines release deals on Monday, data shows:

Most flash sales and fare discounts appear Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
Booking early in the week often means missing midweek lower fares.

Timing your booking a few days later can save a substantial amount.

The Best Days to Book Flights

Research and fare trends suggest:

Tuesday and Wednesday – Best days to catch airline sales and discounts.
Thursday – Often a final day for midweek promotions.
Friday through Sunday – Prices can fluctuate, but weekend bookings are typically higher for leisure travel.

Planning your purchase around midweek increases your chances of scoring lower fares.

Flight Timing Tips

Avoid booking very early Monday morning or late Monday night.
Check prices multiple times per day on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Set fare alerts in advance to monitor changes for your preferred routes.

Flexibility is critical. A one or two-day delay in booking can make the difference between paying full price and scoring a deal.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are situations when Monday bookings may work:

Last-minute travel emergencies – No choice but to book.
Special airline promotions – Occasionally, airlines release limited Monday-only deals.
Low-demand routes – Flights with low occupancy may see last-minute drops regardless of the day.

However, these are rare compared to the general trend of higher Monday fares.

Real Life Example

A traveler wants to fly from Los Angeles to London:

Booked Monday morning: $1,250
Same route checked Tuesday afternoon: $1,050
Savings: $200 by simply waiting one day

This pattern is repeated on multiple routes and airlines, proving that Monday bookings often cost more.

Common Mistakes Travelers Make

Believing Monday is the “best day to book” because of a perceived weekend discount.
Ignoring fare alerts and waiting too long.
Not comparing multiple booking platforms.
Booking inflexible tickets without checking midweek price shifts.

Avoiding these mistakes can prevent overpaying for airfare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Monday always the most expensive day to book?

Not always, but it consistently trends higher than midweek due to weekend demand and business travelers.

Can I find deals on Monday?

Occasionally, yes. But it’s much more likely on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

Does this apply to all airlines?

Most major airlines follow this pattern, but low-cost carriers or smaller regional airlines may not follow the same trend.

Final Thoughts

Booking flights on Monday is a common mistake that can cost hundreds. Airlines price tickets dynamically, and Monday often reflects weekend demand and business traveler influence.

To save money:

Avoid Monday bookings when possible
Monitor midweek fare drops
Set alerts to track your preferred routes
Be flexible with dates and airports

Smart travelers know that timing is just as important as the route or airline. Skipping Monday can mean keeping hundreds in your wallet.