Airline pricing is complex, but some patterns hold true. Booking too far in advance (over a year) or too last-minute (within two weeks) is usually the most expensive. The “booking window” is key. According to studies by Google and other travel sites, prices are typically at their lowest a few months before departure. Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to set price alerts for your specific route, as this is the most effective way to snag a deal when prices drop.