National Cheap Flight Day Report: CheapOair Survey Reveals the Most Common Airfare Myths A new survey of 1,000 U.S. travelers reveals the airfare myths Americans still believe, from the best days to book to cookie-clearing strategies. Many travelers think they know the secrets to finding cheap flights. Ask around and you’ll hear plenty of familiar advice: book on a Tuesday, search in incognito mode, clear your browser cookies, or choose a flight with a layover to save money. These tips have been shared for years through travel blogs, social media, and word of mouth, becoming the accepted wisdom among frequent and occasional travelers alike. In anticipation and celebration of National Cheap Flight Day on August 23, CheapOair set out to examine how many of these commonly accepted airfare “rules” travelers still believe today. The problem is that airline pricing has evolved dramatically, powered by sophisticated revenue management systems that adjust fares constantly based on demand, inventory, competition, seasonality, and countless other factors. This new world of airfare pricing has made some of these common assumptions obsolete. And some of them were never true to begin with. And yet much of this conventional wisdom persists. To find out more, ahead of National Cheap Flight Day on August 23, CheapOair surveyed 1,000 U.S. travelers about their beliefs surrounding airfare pricing and booking strategies. The results reveal a striking disconnect between perception and reality, providing a fascinating look at the myths, misconceptions, and assumptions that continue to shape the way Americans shop for flights and search for travel deals. The Most Common Myths The survey results show that airfare misconceptions remain deeply ingrained among U.S. travelers. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (74.4%) believe there is a specific best time of day to book a flight, making it the most widely held airfare myth in the study. Other long-standing booking theories continue to influence travelers as well, with 50.4% believing that clearing browser cookies lowers fares and 48.2% believing repeated searches can cause prices to increase. More than one-third (37.0%) still think Tuesday is the cheapest day to purchase airfare. Taken together, the findings suggest that many travelers continue to rely on simplified rules and booking “hacks” when searching for deals, even as airfare pricing has become increasingly complex and hack-resistant. The results also reveal that travelers tend to gravitate toward broad assumptions that can occasionally prove true, but aren’t reliable rules. More than two-thirds of respondents believe budget airlines are the cheapest option (68.1%), while 66.3% think flights with layovers cost less than nonstop itineraries. In reality, both scenarios depend on factors such as route competition, travel dates, ancillary fees, and overall demand. The prevalence of these beliefs highlights how difficult it can be for consumers to distinguish between conventional wisdom and practical travel advice. For travelers looking to maximize value, the findings underscore the importance of relying on current data and market realities rather than assumptions that may not apply to every trip. Myths About When to Book Many travelers continue to view airfare pricing as a puzzle that can be solved through correct timing. Despite the increasing complexity of airline revenue management systems, consumers still appear drawn to the idea that there is a predictable moment when fares are at their lowest. This reflects a broader desire for certainty in a purchasing decision that often feels opaque and unpredictable. When prices can change frequently, it’s understandable that travelers gravitate toward simple rules that promise to take the guesswork out of booking. More broadly, the results highlight the enduring appeal of “secret” travel knowledge. For years, travelers have exchanged tips about the best times to buy, hoping to gain an edge over airline pricing systems. While strategic planning remains important, the survey suggests many consumers may overestimate the role of timing while underestimating the influence of factors such as route demand, seasonality, competition, and flexibility. The Enduring Tuesday Myth The Tuesday airfare myth may be one of the few pieces of travel folklore with a historical basis. Years ago, airlines often released fare sales on predictable schedules, creating the perception that Tuesday offered unique booking opportunities. While modern airfare pricing has largely eliminated those weekly patterns, the idea has endured through travel articles, online forums, and word of mouth. The survey demonstrates just how deeply that conventional wisdom remains embedded in the public consciousness. More travelers selected Tuesday than any other day of the week, underscoring the enduring appeal of simple booking rules in a marketplace that often feels unpredictable. The findings highlight how difficult it can be for long-standing travel advice to keep pace with today’s increasingly dynamic airfare environment. Where to Turn? The survey reveals a surprisingly fragmented view of where airfare savings are most likely to be found. Travelers were nearly evenly divided among airlines, online travel agencies, and price comparison sites, suggesting there is no universally accepted path to securing the best fare. The findings suggest that travelers increasingly view airfare shopping as a comparison exercise rather than a destination. With respondents split across airlines, online travel agencies, and comparison sites, consumers appear to recognize that different channels can offer different advantages, whether that’s fare visibility, itinerary options, convenience, or pricing. The results reflect a growing willingness among travelers to shop broadly before booking, reinforcing the importance of having access to a wide range of choices when searching for value. In Summary Despite the persistence of airfare myths, the reality is more nuanced. Conventional wisdom can be true, but it can also contain only a grain of truth. The challenge for travelers is understanding the difference. While beliefs about the “perfect” time to book, cookie-clearing, and repeated searches appear to be rooted more in folklore than fact, other assumptions have more merit. As National Cheap Flight Day approaches, the survey serves as a timely reminder that travelers are often better served by focusing on proven strategies than by chasing outdated myths. Budget airlines often advertise attractive base fares, flights with layovers can offer savings on certain routes, and round-trip itineraries frequently deliver strong value compared with two separate one-way tickets. The findings reinforce a broader lesson from the survey: successful airfare shopping is less about relying on universal rules and more about evaluating each trip on its own merits. In today’s dynamic pricing environment, flexibility, comparison shopping, and access to accurate information are often more valuable than any single travel hack. Here’s What CheapOair Suggests: ⇒ Be flexible with your travel dates when possible, as even small shifts in departure or return dates can lead to meaningful savings. ⇒ Compare multiple flight options, including nearby airports, different airlines, and alternate routing combinations. ⇒ Consider connecting flights if cost is your primary concern, but weigh any savings against the added travel time. ⇒ Look beyond the base fare and factor in baggage fees, seat selection charges, and other ancillary costs, especially on “budget” airlines. ⇒ Start monitoring prices early and set fare alerts so you can track changes over time. ⇒ Shop around before booking, comparing fares, schedules, and overall value across available options. In today’s dynamic airfare environment, flexibility, comparison shopping, and access to accurate information are often more valuable than any single travel hack. Rather than chasing outdated booking rules, travelers are likely to find greater success by focusing on the fundamentals that continue to influence airfare pricing. About the Research The findings are based on a July 2026 survey of 1,000 U.S. adults who travel by air at least occasionally. The study explored beliefs about airfare pricing, booking timing, travel-shopping behavior, booking channels, and common flight-saving strategies. The research was conducted by CheapOair in anticipation and celebration of National Cheap Flight Day on August 23, an annual opportunity to help travelers better understand airfare trends and smart booking practices.
