Last-Minute Flight Bookings Cost 25% More Than Advance Purchases: Analysis

A new fare analysis reveals that booking a domestic flight just one day before departure costs an average of 25% more than booking the same route 30 days in advance. Across all 54 metro routes studied, not a single route was cheaper when booked late. The price premium varied widely by route, ranging from 3% on the Bengaluru–Chennai sector to as high as 121% on the Ahmedabad–Pune route. The 30-day mark appears to be the optimal booking window, as fares tend to be slightly higher when booked two to three months out. Travelers seeking the best value are advised to plan bookings around the one-month-ahead mark.