how far out can you book flights

The time frame for booking flights in advance varies depending on the airline and their policies. Here are some general guidelines:

1. Most airlines: Typically, you can book flights up to 11-12 months in advance. Some airlines may open their schedules for booking around 330-360 days before departure.
2. Low-cost carriers: Some low-cost carriers, like Spirit Airlines, may only allow bookings up to 6-9 months in advance.
3. 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.
4. Special cases: Some airlines may offer early booking options for special events, like holidays or peak travel seasons.
5. Award travel: If you’re booking award travel using miles or points, the booking window may be shorter, typically around 6-9 months in advance.

Here are some specific airlines’ booking windows:

• American Airlines: up to 331 days in advance
• Delta Air Lines: up to 331 days in advance
• United Airlines: up to 330 days in advance
• Southwest Airlines: up to 254 days in advance (though they often release schedules in batches)
• British Airways: up to 355 days in advance
• Lufthansa: up to 360 days in advance

Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and booking windows may vary depending on the airline, route, and travel dates. It’s always a good idea to check with the airline directly for their specific booking policies.