Recent headlines have left many travellers wondering whether they should book a flight now or wait. If you’re weighing up whether to lock in a fare or hold out for a better deal, the answer depends on where you’re travelling.
As summer travel picks up, travellers are navigating changing flight prices, busy travel periods and growing demand on some routes. The question many people are asking is simple: Should I book now or wait?
The reality is that there isn’t one global story; some routes are currently showing better value than others.
Use our flight price map to discover where there may be better value
Compare how fares are tracking across destinations and discover where your budget might stretch further right now
We’ve created a flight price map that highlights destinations where fares are currently cheaper, broadly in line with expectations, or more expensive than last year to help you plan a summer holiday, a city break or a long-haul adventure. Use it as a starting point to discover destinations, compare routes and decide whether it’s the right time to book.
Where might there be better value right now?
Our flight price map shows how current fares are tracking for travel departing within the next three months, helping you see where prices are cheaper, as expected, or currently higher than historical pricing patterns so you can make more informed booking decisions.
If the flight price map shows… | What it means | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
A price | Fares are lower than historical pricing patterns | If the fare works for your budget, it may be worth booking while the value is available |
A black dot | Fares are broadly in line with historical pricing patterns | Compare dates and routes, across options. If your dates and destinations are fixed, consider booking sooner rather than later. Otherwise, set a Price Alert to track the price of flights you're interested in. Skyscanner's app will let you know via email or push notification if the fare rises or falls. |
A red dot | Fares are higher than historical pricing patterns | As above, if your dates are fixed, consider booking sooner rather than later. Otherwise, set a Price Alert to track the price of a flight. |
How to use the flight price map
Explore destinations from your chosen departure airport
Start by selecting where you’re flying from. The map will display destinations available from that airport, along with selected fares to help you spot a potential deal quickly.
You can also search for a destination
If you already know where you’d like to travel, use the search bar to look up a destination directly.
Select a destination
The map uses different markers to help you explore destinations. Fare labels highlight destinations where fares are currently lower than historical pricing patterns. Coloured destination markers help draw attention to routes with a different pricing signal. For example, black dots indicate destinations where fares are tracking as expected, while red dots indicate destinations where fares are currently higher than historical pricing patterns.
Once you select a fare label, an information card will open showing the destination, current fare, whether the cheapest fare is direct or includes stops, and how the fare is tracking compared with historical pricing for the same route and travel season.
Compare prices in the monthly view
Select a destination to continue to Whole Monthly search view. Here, you can compare fares across the month, switch between calendar and chart views, check direct flight options, and find dates that work best for your budget.
Before looking at prices, it is worth answering the first question many travellers have right now:
Are most flights operating as normal?
Yes. While some routes and airports may occasionally experience delays or disruption, the vast majority of flights continue to operate as scheduled.
For travellers planning a trip, the most useful thing is to stay informed. Use our Flight Tracker to check real-time flight information, including departures, arrivals, flight status, gates, terminals and baggage belt details. Whether you’re checking your own journey, tracking a friend’s arrival or monitoring a connection, it can help you stay informed on the day of travel.
Once you’ve got your travel plans in place, the next question is often cost.
Why are people talking about flight prices?
There are a few reasons travellers may be hearing more about flight prices right now.
One is fuel. Airlines need large amounts of jet fuel, and when fuel becomes more expensive, it can increase the cost of running flights. But that does not mean ticket prices rise everywhere overnight.
Many airlines protect themselves from sudden fuel price changes by buying fuel in advance or locking in prices for a period of time. This is known as fuel hedging.
What is fuel hedging and could it affect flight prices?
In simple terms, fuel hedging is a way for airlines to avoid being hit immediately by sudden price spikes. It can help keep costs more stable in the short term, but it does not last forever. If higher fuel costs continue for longer, some of that pressure may eventually feed through into fares.
Fuel is also only one part of the story. Flight prices can also change because of:
Demand for a destination
The number of seats available
How much competition there is on a route
School holidays and peak travel dates
Major events, such as the FIFA World Cup
That is why the smartest booking advice depends on where you are travelling. If you already know you want to get away, now is a good time to compare fares, check flexible dates and book when you see a price that works for your budget.
Will flight prices go down?
Flight prices may go down on some routes, but there is no single global answer.
If a route is already cheaper than last year, waiting does not guarantee a better deal. If fares are rising because of high demand, limited availability or a major event, delaying could make your trip more expensive.
When is the best time to book flights right now?
The best time to book depends on your destination, your travel dates and how flexible you can be.
If the map shows a destination is currently cheaper than historical pricing patterns, there may be a good deal available now. If prices are as expected, compare routes and dates, and book when you find a fare that works for your budget. If fares are higher than usual, you may want to track prices more closely, and if your travel dates are fixed, book sooner.
There is no single booking rule that applies to every route. The key is understanding how prices are currently tracking and using that information to make a more informed decision.
For broader advice on booking windows and how to find better-value fares, read our guide to finding cheap flights.
When do flight prices drop?
Flight prices can drop when demand softens, when more seats become available, or when airlines adjust fares. But pricing can be less predictable on some routes because of demand, fuel costs, major events and airline capacity.
Instead of trying to guess the exact moment prices will fall, use a Price Alert. We'll track the route for you and let you know when fares change.
Are flights cheaper last minute right now?
Not always. Last-minute flights can sometimes be cheaper, but they are not something travellers should rely on, especially when demand is high.
If you are travelling for a major event, during school holidays or on fixed dates, waiting until the last minute may leave you with fewer choices and higher prices.
If you are flexible on destination or timing, you may still find value close to departure. Use Everywhere search, Whole Month search and Price Alerts to compare what is available before you book.
So, should you book now or wait?
There isn’t one answer for every route. Use the flight price map to understand how fares are currently tracking for your destination, compare your options and make an informed decision.
If you’re planning a trip and you see a fare that works for your budget, now may be a smart time to book.
Editor's note:
The map shows fares for travel departing within the next three months. Current prices are compared with historical pricing for the same route and travel season over the previous 12 months. Prices may change.
The map is designed to help travellers understand how fares are currently tracking. It does not predict future prices.
The simplest advice is this: do not make your decision based on headlines alone. Check the data, compare your options and book when the price works for you.
