When to buy international flights

Question

Hi all,

I'm a bit confused on when to buy our international flight tickets to China. (Departure around the 15th of October. Length of stay: 5 to 6 weeks)

For many destinations in the world, we often get the best deals 9/10 months in advance. It seems it is not the case for China.

I don't know yet whether the destination will be Shanghai or Kunming.

For Kunming, only flights up to the 30th of March seem to be a good deal. Is it because March is a cheaper month to travel ? Are tickets released at the very last moment for that destination ?

Also, it seems to be much cheaper on official sites like Trip.com than on the company itself.

Answer

Booking international flights to China can be a bit different from other destinations due to airline pricing patterns, demand, and seasonal fluctuations. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Timing to Book:

For flights to China, the sweet spot is usually around 4–6 months in advance for the best combination of price and availability. Booking too early (9–10 months) often does not provide significant savings, unlike for Europe or North America.
Last-minute tickets can sometimes be cheaper on certain routes, especially if airlines are trying to fill empty seats, but this is risky if you have fixed travel dates.
For October travel, aiming to book around April to June is usually optimal.

Destination Considerations:

Shanghai tends to be more expensive than Kunming due to higher demand and more international traffic.
Kunming is less busy in October than peak months like Chinese New Year or Golden Week (first week of October). Prices may fluctuate depending on release schedules and demand patterns.
Airlines often release their cheapest fares in batches, so tickets for some destinations may not show good deals until a few months in advance.

Booking Platforms:

Third-party platforms like Trip.com, Expedia, or Skyscanner sometimes offer lower fares than booking directly with airlines. This can be due to bulk purchasing agreements, discounts, or dynamic pricing strategies.
Official airline websites may offer better options for seat selection, flexibility, and loyalty points, but the fares may be slightly higher.

Tips:

Set fare alerts on multiple platforms to track price changes.
Consider flexible travel dates if possible, as shifting by a few days can save money.
Book sooner rather than later once you find a reasonable fare, especially for October, which is approaching the start of the autumn travel season in China.

In summary, for October travel to China, start monitoring fares now and aim to book between 4–6 months in advance. Using reputable third-party sites can help find lower fares, but balance with the benefits of booking directly with the airline.

When to buy international flights

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