how far out can you book a flight
The time frame for booking a flight in advance varies depending on the airline and their policies. Here are some general guidelines:
- Most airlines: Typically, you can book a flight up to 11-12 months in advance. Some airlines, like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, allow bookings up to 331 days (about 11 months) in advance.
- Low-cost carriers: Some low-cost carriers, like Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, may only allow bookings up to 6-9 months in advance.
- International flights: For international flights, you can often book up to 12 months in advance, but some airlines may have longer or shorter booking windows.
- Special cases: Some airlines may offer early booking options for special events, like holidays or peak travel seasons. For example, some airlines may allow bookings for Christmas or New Year’s flights up to 18 months in advance.
- Award travel: If you’re booking a flight using award miles, the booking window may be shorter, typically up to 6-9 months in advance.
Keep in mind that airlines often adjust their schedules and fares, so it’s essential to monitor prices and schedules regularly, even after booking.
Here are some specific airlines’ booking windows:
- American Airlines: up to 331 days (about 11 months)
- Delta Air Lines: up to 331 days (about 11 months)
- United Airlines: up to 331 days (about 11 months)
- Southwest Airlines: up to 230 days (about 7.5 months)
- Spirit Airlines: up to 181 days (about 6 months)
- Frontier Airlines: up to 149 days (about 5 months)
Please note that these are general guidelines and may be subject to change. It’s always best to check with the airline directly for their most up-to-date booking policies.