Fare timing · TSA counts for 2025 and 2026
The cheapest days to fly
Fares follow demand, so the cheapest days to fly are the quietest ones. We counted every traveler TSA screened in 2025 and 2026 to find them, weekday by weekday, at 206 airports and around the holidays, and checked the result against the 2026 fare studies from Google, Expedia and KAYAK.
Updated Nov 12, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction
Quick answer
For U.S. trips, Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the cheapest days to fly and Sunday the most expensive. Fares follow demand, and TSA's counts show it: in 2025, 12.9% fewer people flew on an average Tuesday than on an average day, and 10.2% more on Sundays. Google's fare data finds that leaving on a Monday and returning on a Tuesday or Wednesday costs about 14% less than a weekend trip.
- Quietest days at U.S. airports
- Tuesday (−12.9%), Wednesday (−8.6%) and Saturday (−8.4%) in 2025
- Busiest days
- Sunday (+10.2%), then Friday (+7.9%)
- Cheapest round trip (Google)
- Out on Monday, back on Tuesday or Wednesday: about 14% less than a weekend trip
- International
- Wednesday in KAYAK's data; Friday across all routes in Expedia's
- Quietest months
- January (−15%) and February (−10%)
- Quietest holiday day
- Thanksgiving Day: 1.56M people in 2025, against 3.13M the Sunday after
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The cheapest days to fly are the quietest
People screened at U.S. airports on each weekday in 2025, against the average day (about 2.48 million), from TSA's daily counts.
- Sunday+10.2%
- Monday+5.6%
- Tuesday−12.9%
- Wednesday−8.6%
- Thursday+6.5%
- Friday+7.9%
- Saturday−8.4%
Airlines price seats by demand: the more people want a flight, the faster its cheap fares sell out. So the days when the fewest people fly are where fares are usually lowest. In 2025, TSA screened about 2.16 million people on an average Tuesday and 2.74 million on an average Sunday, 27% more.
2026 so far looks the same: Tuesday (−13.2%), Saturday (−10.3%) and Wednesday (−7.2%) are the quietest days, and Thursday and Sunday the busiest.
Saturday is nearly as quiet as Wednesday at the airport, so it's worth checking too, but none of the fare studies below names it the cheapest day to fly.
| Day | People per day, 2025 | Vs. average, 2025 | Vs. average, 2026 so far |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 2,736,967 | +10.2% | +8.7% |
| Monday | 2,622,745 | +5.6% | +4.9% |
| Tuesday | 2,163,031 | −12.9% | −13.2% |
| Wednesday | 2,270,028 | −8.6% | −7.2% |
| Thursday | 2,645,479 | +6.5% | +8.8% |
| Friday | 2,680,909 | +7.9% | +8.3% |
| Saturday | 2,274,418 | −8.4% | −10.3% |
What the 2026 fare studies found
Three big studies looked at fares by weekday this year. They measured different things, which is why their answers differ.
| Study | What it measured | Cheapest day to leave | Cheapest day to return | Most expensive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google FlightsOct 2026 | Five years of Google Flights fares | Monday | Tuesday or Wednesday | Weekend trips; Sunday to Sunday domestically |
| Expedia Air HacksFeb 2026 | Expedia's own flight bookings | Tuesday (U.S. domestic); Friday (all routes worldwide) | Not reported | Sunday (worldwide); Friday is the busiest U.S. day |
| KAYAKMar 2026 | Prices KAYAK users searched, Jan 2025 to Mar 2026, for trips through June 2026 | Monday (domestic); Wednesday (international) | Wednesday (domestic and international) | Not reported |
Cheapest day to fly domestic: Tuesday or Wednesday
Expedia names Tuesday the cheapest and least busy day for U.S. flights. KAYAK found Monday departures and Wednesday returns cheapest, and Google found that leaving on a Monday and coming back on a Tuesday or Wednesday costs about 14% less than a weekend trip, and up to 20% less than Sunday to Sunday on domestic routes. TSA's counts back them up: Tuesday is the quietest day nationwide, and the quietest at 67 of 206 airports.
Cheapest day to fly international: midweek, but check Friday
In KAYAK's searches, Wednesday was the cheapest day both to leave and to come back. Expedia's 2026 report, across every route it sells worldwide, found that Friday has become the cheapest day to depart and Sunday the most expensive. An international fare depends on demand at both ends of the trip, so compare a few days either side in a flexible-date search before you book.
The quietest day to fly from your airport
Each weekday at one airport against its average day. Saturday is the quietest day at 124 of 206 airports and Tuesday at 67.
8% fewer people go through security on an average Tuesday than on an average day, and Saturday is next (−7%). Thursday is the busiest, at +8%.
JFK security by hourFrom TSA's hour-by-hour counts at JFK's checkpoints, Sep 20 to Nov 7, 2026.
- Sunday+5%
- Monday+3%
- Tuesday−8%
- Wednesday−5%
- Thursday+8%
- Friday+4%
- Saturday−7%
| Airport | Quietest day | Busiest day | Quietest vs. busiest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago O'Hare (ORD) | Saturday (−17%) | Thursday (+11%) | 25% fewer people |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Tuesday (−13%) | Sunday (+14%) | 24% fewer people |
| New York JFK | Tuesday (−8%) | Thursday (+8%) | 15% fewer people |
| Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) | Saturday (−20%) | Sunday (+18%) | 32% fewer people |
| DFW Airport | Saturday (−18%) | Thursday (+14%) | 28% fewer people |
| San Francisco (SFO) | Tuesday (−17%) | Thursday (+14%) | 27% fewer people |
| Orlando (MCO) | Tuesday (−18%) | Sunday (+15%) | 29% fewer people |
| Las Vegas Harry Reid (LAS) | Tuesday (−23%) | Sunday (+31%) | 41% fewer people |
| Boston Logan (BOS) | Saturday (−18%) | Sunday (+9%) | 25% fewer people |
| Denver DIA (DEN) | Saturday (−22%) | Sunday (+16%) | 33% fewer people |
| Newark (EWR) | Saturday (−12%) | Thursday (+9%) | 19% fewer people |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) | Saturday (−15%) | Sunday (+14%) | 25% fewer people |
| Seattle SeaTac (SEA) | Saturday (−16%) | Thursday (+12%) | 25% fewer people |
| Miami (MIA) | Wednesday (−16%) | Sunday (+11%) | 24% fewer people |
| Houston Bush (IAH) | Tuesday (−16%) | Thursday (+12%) | 25% fewer people |
| LaGuardia (LGA) | Saturday (−31%) | Monday (+11%) | 38% fewer people |
| Philadelphia (PHL) | Saturday (−19%) | Thursday (+15%) | 30% fewer people |
| San Diego (SAN) | Saturday (−17%) | Sunday (+21%) | 31% fewer people |
| Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | Wednesday (−25%) | Sunday (+18%) | 36% fewer people |
| Minneapolis (MSP) | Saturday (−27%) | Thursday (+20%) | 39% fewer people |
| Detroit Metro (DTW) | Saturday (−19%) | Thursday (+12%) | 28% fewer people |
| Nashville (BNA) | Saturday (−25%) | Sunday (+28%) | 41% fewer people |
| Reagan National (DCA) | Saturday (−24%) | Friday (+19%) | 36% fewer people |
| Charlotte (CLT) | Saturday (−18%) | Sunday (+12%) | 27% fewer people |
| Tampa (TPA) | Tuesday (−16%) | Monday (+13%) | 26% fewer people |
| Austin (AUS) | Saturday (−29%) | Thursday (+18%) | 40% fewer people |
| Washington Dulles (IAD) | Tuesday (−17%) | Friday (+13%) | 27% fewer people |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | Saturday (−20%) | Sunday (+20%) | 33% fewer people |
| Baltimore (BWI) | Saturday (−20%) | Thursday (+20%) | 33% fewer people |
| Portland (PDX) | Saturday (−19%) | Sunday (+13%) | 28% fewer people |
Quiet and busy days in the next 8 weeks
Every day colored by how many people flew on the same day last year. Holidays are lined up with last year's holiday, so Thanksgiving week compares with Thanksgiving week.
Cheapest days to fly for Thanksgiving and Christmas
TSA's counts for each day of last year's holidays, and the same days this year.
| Day | Same day, Thanksgiving 2025 | People screened |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 20 | Fri, Nov 21 | 2.79M |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Sat, Nov 22 | 2.48M |
| Sun, Nov 22 | Sun, Nov 23 | 2.62M |
| Mon, Nov 23 | Mon, Nov 24 | 2.56M |
| Tue, Nov 24 | Tue, Nov 25 | 2.68M |
| Wed, Nov 25 | Wed, Nov 26 | 2.75M |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Thu, Nov 27 | 1.56M · quietest |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Fri, Nov 28 | 2.39M |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Sat, Nov 29 | 2.70M |
| Sun, Nov 29 | Sun, Nov 30 | 3.13M · busiest |
| Mon, Nov 30 | Mon, Dec 1 | 2.89M |
| Tue, Dec 1 | Tue, Dec 2 | 2.23M |
| Day | Same day, 2025–26 | People screened |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 19 | Sat, Dec 20 | 2.75M |
| Sun, Dec 20 | Sun, Dec 21 | 2.77M |
| Mon, Dec 21 | Mon, Dec 22 | 2.80M |
| Tue, Dec 22 | Tue, Dec 23 | 2.82M |
| Wed, Dec 23 | Tue, Dec 23 | 2.82M |
| Thu, Dec 24 | Wed, Dec 24 | 2.24M |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Thu, Dec 25 | 2.07M · quietest |
| Sat, Dec 26 | Sat, Dec 27 | 2.80M |
| Sun, Dec 27 | Sun, Dec 28 | 2.92M · busiest |
| Mon, Dec 28 | Mon, Dec 29 | 2.81M |
| Tue, Dec 29 | Tue, Dec 30 | 2.83M |
| Wed, Dec 30 | Tue, Dec 30 | 2.83M |
| Thu, Dec 31 | Wed, Dec 31 | 2.29M |
| Fri, Jan 1 | Thu, Jan 1 | 2.33M |
| Sat, Jan 2 | Sat, Jan 3 | 2.60M |
| Sun, Jan 3 | Sun, Jan 4 | 2.82M |
| Mon, Jan 4 | Mon, Jan 5 | 2.51M |
Thanksgiving: fly on Thanksgiving Day if you can. TSA screened 1.56 million people on Thanksgiving 2025, the quietest day of the whole year, against 3.13 million on the Sunday after (Nov 30), the busiest day of the year. Next quietest were the Tuesday after, the Friday after and the Saturday before: this year that's Tue, Dec 1, Fri, Nov 27 and Sat, Nov 21. The day to avoid is Sun, Nov 29.
Christmas and New Year: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are the quiet ones: TSA screened 2.07 to 2.33 million people on them last year, against up to 2.92 million on the busiest days around them. In 2026, Christmas falls on a Friday, and matched to this year's calendar the busiest days are Sun, Dec 27 and Tue, Dec 29.
Holiday fares climb as the date gets close, so book early as well as flying on the quiet days. Google's data puts the lowest Thanksgiving fares 34 days before departure and Christmas fares 56 days before. When to book holiday flights
Cheapest months to fly
People screened per day in each month of 2025, against the year's average day.
- January−15%
- February−10%
- March0%
- April0%
- May+3%
- June+10%
- July+11%
- August+4%
- September−3%
- October+3%
- November−4%
- December+1%
January and February are the quietest months to fly (−15% and −10% in 2025), then November and September. July and June are the busiest (+11%).
Quiet months are when airlines have the most empty seats to fill, so they're the best bet for low fares and sales, especially after the New Year rush ends in early January. In a busy month, the weekday pattern above still holds.
How to find the cheapest day for your trip
- Search a whole week, not a date. A flexible-date view, such as the date grid and price graph in Google Flights or KAYAK's flexible dates, shows the midweek dip on your route at a glance.
- Move one end of the trip. You don't need both flights on a Tuesday: in Google's data, leaving on a Monday and returning on a Tuesday or Wednesday saved about 14% against a weekend trip.
- Fly on the holiday itself. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day are among the quietest days of the year at U.S. airports.
- Consider a connection. Google found nonstop tickets cost 20% more on average than connecting ones.
- Book in the window. The day you fly matters more than the day you buy, but buying too late costs more: see how far ahead to book.
- Let the deals come to you. We watch fares from your home airport and email you when one drops well below its usual price, whatever day it falls on.
Cheapest days to fly FAQ
Tuesday and Wednesday for most U.S. trips. They're the quietest days at U.S. airports (in 2025, 12.9% and 8.6% fewer travelers than an average day, in TSA's counts), and Expedia's 2026 report names Tuesday the cheapest day for domestic flights. For a round trip, Google found that leaving on a Monday and returning on a Tuesday or Wednesday costs about 14% less than flying on the weekend.
Sources
Updated Nov 12, 2026 with TSA's counts to Nov 11, 2026. These are averages across U.S. airports and many routes. The cheapest day on your route can differ, so compare a few dates before you book.
- TSA checkpoint travel numbers: people screened nationwide each day (Jan 1, 2025 to Nov 11, 2026)
- TSA FOIA reading room: TSA throughput data, people screened at every checkpoint, hour by hour (7 weekly files, Sep 20 to Nov 7, 2026)
- Google: Trends and tips for 2026 holiday travel (Oct 5, 2026), from five years of Google Flights data
- Expedia 2026 Air Hacks report: Friday takes off as the new cheapest day to depart and book
- Expedia: The smartest ways to save on U.S. flights in 2026 (Air Hacks report)
- KAYAK: The best time to book a flight & the cheapest days to fly (data updated Mar 26, 2026)
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