A travel expert has shared the best days of the week to fly if you want to get a bargain price and avoid chaos at the airport.
The world of plane ticket pricing is a wild and confusing one, with a model based on supply and demand meaning the cost of a seat can fluctuate massively.
This can lead even the most experienced holidaymaker feeling like they've messed up and missed out on a good deal.
Martin Jones, CEO and travel expert at Airport Parking Reservations, has offered advice on when to book and fly to minimise your chances of feeling like you've been had.
"Airfare prices can vary from one day to the next however, airlines are relatively predictable when it comes to price fluctuations," he said.
"As a standard rule, the cheapest days of the week to fly are those that are classed as ‘off-peak’ - Tuesday, and Wednesday.
"It is important to note though, that the greater the demand for a particular flight, the more likely it is that these tickets will be higher in price.
"Therefore, try to avoid traveling on the busiest days of the year, for example, the first day of the school holidays."
When it comes to avoiding the long queues which came to plague UK airports this summer, Martin also advised travelling when travel hubs are quieter.
“For those looking for a quieter flight, it is recommended that you travel on ‘off-peak’ days, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays", he continued.
"These days are typically less busy for travel; business travellers usually fly at the start and/or end of the week, whilst those traveling for leisure often wait until the weekend.
"As a result of the reduced demand for flying on these days, airfares prices are respectively lower - so it is a win, win situation."
Equally when it comes to avoiding being stuck on the tarmac due to a delayed flight or having your service cancelled altogether, timing is key.
Martin added: “Over the last few years, flight cancelations have become increasingly frustrating, and seemingly unavoidable.
"Although any flight is technically liable for cancellation, recent trends have shown that flight cancellations typically coincide with how populated an airport is.
"Therefore, it could be worth considering travel on 'off-peak' days (Tuesday & Wednesday). You may also want to consider flying at quieter times of the day, particularly during the early hours of the morning to avoid rush hour."
Mike Ryan, chief executive of shipping company PACK & SEND, has previously also offered his top tips for those hoping to have a smooth journey.
"Queues can quickly build up in security if staff must check your luggage and remove banned items," he said.
"Always double-check against the list your airline provides of banned items for carry-ons. Make sure any liquids are less than 100ml and can all fit inside one clear plastic bag issued by the airport.
"Any medication including inhalers should also be placed inside a clear plastic bag and placed inside the tray, together with any loose change, watches, devices including laptops and belts."
