The Cheapest Day of the Week To Fly in 2026, According to New Flight Price Data
Written by
Gabrielle Olya
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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One of the easiest ways to cut travel costs is to be strategic about when you fly. You can’t control airline pricing, but choosing the right departure day often makes a meaningful difference.
New flight price data from Skyscanner analyzed fares to uncover the cheapest day to fly in 2026 — and the results weren’t what most travelers expected.
Wednesday Is the Cheapest Day for US Travelers in 2026
According to the analysis, the cheapest day to fly on average in 2026 is Wednesday. Skyscanner’s accompanying survey found that this was a surprise to most Americans:
- Only 25% thought Wednesday would be the cheapest day to fly
- 31% thought Tuesday would be the cheapest
- 12% thought Monday would be the cheapest
According to Skyscanner, the cheapest travel day can shift by route and month, but midweek flights usually see less demand, which keeps prices down.
Affordable Flight Destinations for 2026
In addition to determining the cheapest day to fly, the analysis also pinpointed the most affordable destinations for 2026 travelers. If you’re planning a budget-friendly getaway, these destinations currently offer the lowest average round-trip flights for U.S. travelers:
- Las Vegas (Average round-trip flight price: $232)
- San Salvador, El Salvador (Average round-trip flight price: $282)
- Miami (Average round-trip flight price: $284)
- Kahului, Hawaii (Average round-trip flight price: $329)
- Orlando, Florida (Average round-trip flight price: $353)
- San Juan, Puerto Rico (Average round-trip flight price: $365)
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (Average round-trip flight price: $375)
- Mexico City (Average round-trip flight price: $402)
- Cancun, Mexico (Average round-trip flight price: $411)
- Milan (Average round-trip flight price: $559)
Booking midweek and targeting historically low-cost destinations can help travelers stretch their budgets significantly in 2026.
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