When is the best time to book flights from the UK?

You will read that Tuesdays are cheapest, or that you should book exactly seven weeks out. These rules sound neat, but fares are set by demand and seat sales software that changes prices constantly.

What does matter

• How full the flight is. Early seats are often cheaper on short-haul routes.
• Sales and competition. A new airline on a route can push every fare down.
• Season. Summer and school holidays cost more whenever you book.
• Mistakes and flash sales, which last hours rather than weeks.

Why watching works better

The cheapest moment is unpredictable, so the reliable approach is to have something watch the route for you and book when the price is genuinely low. That is what a drop is: a signal that this route is cheap right now.