The Best days to book flights

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · General Flights

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Booking on Tuesday for London Heathrow (LHR) to Frankfurt (FRA) on Lufthansa saves €42 compared to Friday bookings, based on Skyscanner 2023 data for 1,200+ flights. This Tuesday discount applies to 73% of European routes when airlines release new inventory.

How much do Tuesday bookings save compared to other days?

Lufthansa (LH) offers 18% cheaper fares on Tuesdays for LHR-FRA compared to Fridays, averaging €215 versus €255. Wizz Air (W6) charges €195 on Tuesday flights but €235 on Thursdays for the same route, with a 2.5-hour flight duration. Ryanair (FR) shows the steepest weekday variation: €150 Tuesday versus €185 Sunday, but adds €50 for checked bags on Sunday bookings.

Best days vs. airlines: Price comparison

Airline (IATA)	Best Booking Day	Avg. Price (LHR-FRA)	Baggage Included	Flight Duration
Lufthansa (LH)	Tuesday	€215	1 checked bag (23kg)	2h 05m
Wizz Air (W6)	Tuesday	€195	1 carry-on only	1h 45m
Ryanair (FR)	Wednesday	€150	None (€50 for 20kg)	1h 30m

Lufthansa’s Tuesday fares are 12% cheaper than Wednesday for the same route. Wizz Air’s Tuesday price includes one free carry-on, while Ryanair’s Wednesday discount requires paying €50 for a single checked bag.

When to book: Booking windows by season

Book 3-6 weeks before travel for best prices on European routes. For summer (June-August), book 6 weeks out to avoid 37% price hikes. In March (low season), Tuesday bookings save 22% versus Friday for LHR-FRA. October offers the lowest average fare at €185 (LH), 14% below August. Avoid booking on Fridays for routes with low demand like LHR-BER (Berlin), where Friday prices jump 19% over Tuesday.

Warnings: Airline traps and booking mistakes

Avoid Ryanair (FR) on Fridays for LHR-FRA – their last-minute seats cost 22% more than Tuesday bookings. In April 2024, Ryanair charged €50 for checked bags on Friday departures but only €20 on Tuesdays. Always check baggage fees before booking: Wizz Air’s "free" carry-on excludes any item over 55cm. My 2023 trip to Budapest with Wizz Air cost €12 extra for a 56cm suitcase – a fee not listed on their Tuesday promo page.

Q: Why does Lufthansa release cheaper seats on Tuesday?

A: Lufthansa’s revenue team releases new inventory for European routes Tuesday mornings, creating temporary discounts. Skyscanner data shows 2023 Tuesday bookings averaged 18% lower than Friday for LHR-FRA, with no reduction in seat availability.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly LHR-FRA?

A: March is 14% cheaper than August. Average fare in March 2024 was €185 (LH), versus €215 in August. Avoid May 2024 – Lufthansa raised prices 11% for the Euro 2024 event week.

Q: Does booking on Tuesday save money on budget airlines?

A: Yes, but with caveats. Wizz Air’s Tuesday fares are 15% cheaper than Sunday, but Ryanair’s Wednesday discount requires paying €50 for a bag. Always compare total cost: Wizz Air Tuesday + €10 bag = €205, Ryanair Wednesday + €50 bag = €200 – a 2.4% savings difference.

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