Had Sarah wanted a spring trip, her best month to buy and fly would have been January or February. Following the expensive holiday rush of November and December, airlines experience a massive slump in demand. Fares drop to their lowest annual points.

Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday within these cheap months will lower the price even further.

For years, travelers chased the myth of the "magic Tuesday" to buy tickets. However, modern airline algorithms have shattered that myth. Today, the secret to cheap flights lies not in the day of the week you buy, but in the month you choose to fly and the window in which you book.

Here is the story of how timing your purchase can save you hundreds of dollars. ✈️ The Legend of the Travel "Dead Zones"

June, July, and late December are always the most expensive.

For domestic flights, buy 1 to 3 months in advance. For international flights, buy 2 to 8 months in advance.

In June, Sarah began searching for flights. Prices were astronomical. Airlines know that summer is peak vacation season. Demand is high, and planes fill up easily, meaning no discounts are needed. The Golden Window (August - October)

The best month to buy cheap airline tickets generally falls between for fall travel, and January and February for spring trips, often referred to as the "dead zones" of travel where demand drops and prices plummet.