Can You Book Flights too Early?
Booking flights can be a nerve-wracking game of ‘now or later.’ That anxiety often leads to early clicks — and higher prices.
I use a simple flight monitoring process to take the edge off (outlined here), but timing – and a bit of patience – plays a crucial role. So, can you book flights too early? Let’s break that down.
Flight Price Fluctuations
While tracking flight prices can help you predict what may happen, it is not a fool proof indicator of what flight prices may do.
Airlines use dynamic pricing algorithms to adjust prices based on demand, competition for other airlines, and market conditions. Due to these constant changes, booking too early can result in paying higher prices for flights than if you had waited.
This article is also available as the Traveling in Ireland podcast, episode 263. Use the player below to listen or scroll to continue reading the article and get resource links.
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4 Reasons Not to Book Your Ireland Flight Too Early
- Airline tickets are released in phases.
The first batch of tickets are released 10-12 months prior to the flight, targeting business travelers and those willing to pay extra to secure a seat early. Each bath of tickets that follows has a different pricing tier that is based on how well the route is selling and the seats that remain available. - Promotions to Ireland are Common
Ireland's national airline, Aer Lingus, runs specials throughout the year. There is usually one just after Christmas, another around St. Patrick's Day, quickly followed by spring deals and then fall discounts.
And, as Aer Lingus adds gateways across North America, you'll find legacy carriers across the country mimicking, or even undercutting, those deals. - Flight Schedules Can Change
Airlines adjust flight schedules based on need and demand. If your travel day has multiple flights – and especially if your flights weren't booked on a single ticket – this can cause a huge disruption in your travel plans. - Fluctuations in Demand Can Create Price Spikes
Flight prices are adjusted in real time as airlines monitor the supply and demand on each route. If demand is high, prices will increase, if demand is low, prices will decrease.
Early demand price spikes will often stabilize as the travel dates get closer.
When to Book Your Flight to Ireland
There is no exact perfect time to book a flight to Ireland, though experts say the best time to book an international flight is 2-6 months in advance.
I begin monitoring my flight routes when I decide on my travel dates and note them in my planning documents. I usually find the best prices from my airport (Chicago on Aer Lingus) between 6 – 8 weeks prior to departure.
Curious about Aer Lingus Business Class?
