How to get Cheap Charter Flights

When and how to get a cheap ticket for your trip| Travel

What is the best timeframe to get a cheap ticket? Did you pack a plane as early as possible or do you run the chance of abandoning it at the last second? Skyscanner, the comparative website for flights, says the response is to maintain, but not too long. Skyscanner has come up with the perfect timing for booking 10 sunny summers after an incredible three-year processing of two million flights.

For example, flights to Spain are cheaper five week before take-off (£153 for a one-way return), while the cheaper flights to Greece (£228 for a one-way return) are only available three week in advance. Filip Filipov of Skyscanner recommends, however, that although five week is the mean, the optimal booking date for your flights can differ greatly from destination to destination.

"Pricing patterns tend to differ depending on the nature of the carrier and between short-haul and long-haul trips, so they are highly dependant on the final destinations. "For example, the best flight times to Turkey are 13 week before your flight starts, while the USA should be reserved five month (21 weeks) in advance. Skyscanner's research includes regular and low-cost flights (charter flights accounted for less than 1.5%) and contradicts the recommendations of most sector professionals who say that when it comes to full-service regular flights, the sooner the better the gold standard.

"In general, the nearer you get, the higher the fares, so the sooner the flights are flown, the better," says Andy Washington, Expedia's CEO. Washington's tip is that if you have a particular location and date in mind, your best bet is to make your booking as soon as possible after a seat has been sold, which is between 10 and 12 month in the run-up for most regular carriers (see below for examples).

The majority of airline companies have at least one big sales in a year, usually in January, so now is also a good opportunity to look for a bargain outside of the main holiday periods. On the other hand, charter carriers can lower their fares nearer to your flight of embarkation if they have difficulty selling places, so it may be a good idea to wait for your booking - but only if you don't have a particular holiday location in sight, as there's no assurance that they'll make your place beat faster.

This is a listing of the UK's most popular holiday destination, with the UK's best rate and best booking times (weeks before departure). Here you will find a choice of airline companies with information on when the rates are for Sale and when you can best get a good deal - up to 11 month in advance. Click here to find out more.

Jan and September. Heathrow London to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch via Shanghai from £855 back for trips between 1 and 31 March 2014. Heathrow to New York from £428 round trip (must be purchased by 28 January for trips up to 31 March). Offered for purchase up to 12 month in advanced.

The sales deadline began on 20 December 2013 and will run until 28 February. Heathrow to Singapore samples starting at 640 (for trips between 14 January and 11 April; 27 April and 24 June 2014; and 17 August and 4 December). Sales all year round with the exception of the main seasons July/August and December/January. Specimen Heathrow to Sydney retail price of 826 for departures 1 February to 15 March and 17 April to 30 June.

Booking until 31 January 2014. Places available for purchase are available between 350 and 355 workingdays in advance. Sales in January and September. Samples available from Heathrow to Rio de Janeiro from £647. 25 to save 163 for trips before the end of March 2014. Offered up to 14 month in advanced.

Offer periods casual fl ash sells. Model retail rates begin at 29. 99 one way on £39 one way tours on £29 to £39 one way on 39 one way tours on 39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 one way tours on £39 end of January. Up to 20 month in advanced. The time it takes to sell a seat will depend on how well it sells, but there are promotional campaigns all year round.

Actual sales run from January to January 21. Model retail price from Manchester to Corfu from 197 pounds round trip for seven Nights from 6 June, inclusive of luggage and meal. Chairs that have been put up for sales 8-12 month in anticipation. Sales periods per week. Specimen retail price London Stansted to Malmö, Sweden, from £16. 99 one-way for February and March trips.

Seats cleared for sales six to nine month in advance. Mm-hmm. Sales in January, with other actions during the year. Model sales fees of up to 20% on 85,000 places for trips between 5 February and 2 April (sales end on 21 January). From £26 London Gatwick to Copenhagen. 49 one-way ticket for March outings.