February 18, 2026, SYDNEY – Today, Expedia^® released its 2026 Air Hacks Report, revealing Friday has become the most affordable day to fly, driven by reduced business travel at the end of the week. The report shows that February is the most affordable month to travel, with routes across Asia and the South Pacific seeing some of the biggest airfare drops. 

Now in its tenth year, the Expedia Air Hacks Report draws on millions of Expedia data points and new consumer research to highlight how changing traveller behaviours are reshaping when Australians choose to take to the skies.  

“Timing can play a big part in airfare savings,” said Sarah King, Expedia Travel Expert. “With business travellers heading home earlier in the week, leisure travellers can unlock better value by choosing smarter travel days, like Friday, with the added bonus of starting their holiday a little earlier to stretch the weekend.” 

Key Air Hacks for 2026 include: 

• When to fly for savings: 
  • Depart on a Friday to save up to 12% compared to flying on a Sunday. 
  • February is the cheapest month to fly, with savings of up to 74% (around $520) compared to December. 
• When to fly to avoid crowds: 
  • Tuesday is the quietest travel day; Friday is the busiest. 
  • Avoid the morning rush: more than 56% of domestic departures and 45% of international departures are in the morning. 
  • February is the least hectic month to travel; December is the busiest. 
  • Quietest travel dates: Mid-March and end of July 
  • Busiest travel dates: Good Friday and Boxing Day 
• When to book: 
  • The most affordable booking window is four to six weeks before departure for economy flights. Compared to six months out: 
    • Domestic flyers can save an average of $40. 
    • International flyers can save an average of $140. Those who prefer to plan slightly further ahead can still save around $75 booking three months out.
  • Book on a Thursday and travellers can save up to 7% compared to booking on a Saturday. Book in July and travellers can save up to 20% compared to booking in November. 

Aussie traveller in-flight habits: 

• Dodging dollars: One in two (52%) would wear extra layers to dodge extra baggage fees (65% Gen Z / 52% Millennials vs 17% Boomers). 

• No extra baggage: Carry-on is king as 37% fly without checked bags. 

• Pet peeves: Seat kicking is the nation’s top in-flight pet peeve (39%), above people reclining their seat too far (29%), crying babies (28%), and people invading their seat space (25%). 

• Seat-swappers: One in three (36%) have asked a stranger or flight attendant to swap seats, with almost half (47%) doing so to sit with family or friends. 

Bank more savings with Expedia’s Annual Holiday Sale. 

• Thinking about your big Easter or winter trip? Members can save up to 40% off select stays during Expedia’s Annual Holiday Sale. Book by 16 March 2026, for stays between 18 February and 30 September 2026.* 

Check our Expedia’s latest Air Hacks HERE. 

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APPENDIX 

2026 Air Hacks Additional Insights 
 

AUSSIE IN-FLIGHT HABITS 

• 37% of Aussie travellers now fly carry‑on only, and 28% plan long stopovers to explore another city. Additionally, 52% would wear extra layers to dodge extra baggage fees (65% Gen Z / 52% Millennials vs 17% Boomers). 

• Top oddities seen by Aussie travellers on a flight include bringing smelly food (23%), seeing a couple going to the toilet together (18%) and nail-cutting (17%).  

• 39% of Aussie travellers said that having their seat kicked is the ultimate pet peeve, above people reclining their seat too far (29%), crying babies (28%), and people invading their seat space (25%). 

• Half of Aussies (51%) opt for a window seat, followed by aisle seats (27%), then exit row seat (8%). 

• Over a third (36%) of Aussie travellers have asked a stranger or flight attendant to swap seats. Among those seat-swappers, the leading reason was to sit with family or friends (47%), but 36% admit they did it in the hopes of snagging a window seat. 

TOP DESTINATIONS 

• Top 10 most popular destinations Australians fly to: 

Domestic: Sydney, NSW Melbourne, VIC Brisbane, QLD Perth, WA Gold Coast, QLD Adelaide, SA Cairns, QLD Hobart, TAS Canberra, ACT Sunshine Coast, QLD

International:  Bali, Indonesia Tokyo, Japan Bangkok, Thailand Auckland, New Zealand Singapore Los Angeles, USA Hong Kong  Manila, Philippines London, UK Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

• Top trending destinations Australians fly to: 

Domestic: Toowoomba, QLD (+15%) Hobart, TAS (+15%) Geelong, VIC (+5%) Perth, WA (+5%) Cairns, QLD (+5%)

International:  Nha Trang, Vietnam +140%  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia +95%  Palau +70% Phu Quoc, Vietnam +65%  Hyogo, Japan +60% Kos, Greece +45% Mallorca Island, Spain +35% Budapest, Hungary +30% Nadi, Fiji +25% Portland, USA +25%

AIRPORT AND FLIGHT ROUTE TRENDS 

• Airports that are trending upwards, based on volume of flights, are: 
  • Darwin +56% 
  • Cairns +46% 
  • Maroochydore +38% 
  • Brisbane +30% 
  • Adelaide +24% 
     

• Saver routes 

Domestic flights under $200 on average Gold Coast to Newcastle – $95 Ballina to Sydney – $155 Newcastle to Gold Coast – $175 Melbourne to Launceston – $175 Maroochydore to Cairns – $185 Launceston to Sydney – $195

International flights under $550 on average Darwin to Bali – $275 Cairns to Bali – $285 Gold Coast to Queenstown – $ 375 Sydney to Auckland – $410 Adelaide to Bali – $495 Brisbane to Auckland – $510 Melbourne to Christchurch – $545

Saver routes: International flight routes seeing the biggest YoY decease in price: 

• Maroochydore to Auckland, New Zealand: -76% 

• Newcastle to Bali, Indonesia: -44% 

• Sydney to Port Vila, Vanuatu: -35% 

• Darwin to Bali, Indonesia: -29% 

• Cairns to Nadi, Fiji: -27% 

Data disclaimers:  

All average ticket pricing data are based on bookings made on Expedia.com.au from December 2024 – November 2025, with any comparison metrics compared to December 2023 – November 2024 

Most popular and trending destinations based on searches made on Expedia.com.au from December 2024 – November 2025, compared to searches made December 2023 – November 2024 

Third-party research was conducted by market research partner OnePoll in accordance with the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct. The study was conducted online among 7,000 adult respondents across seven countries, who are planning domestic or international travel in the next 12 months.  

*Expedia’s Annual Holiday Sale ends 16 March 2026, property local time, and is subject to limited availability. Stay between 18 February and 30 September 2026. Blackout periods may apply. Terms apply. 

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FAQ

Q: How far in advance should I book domestic flights? 

A: The most affordable time to book a domestic economy flight in Australia is four to six weeks before departure.   

Q: How far in advance should I book international flights? 

A: The most affordable time to book an international economy flight is four to six weeks before departure. 

Q: What are the cheapest days to fly in 2026? 

A: Friday is the cheapest day to fly in 2026. 

Q: What international destinations are trending for 2026? 

A: The top trending destinations Aussies are looking to fly to in 2026 are: Nha Trang, Vietnam (+140%), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia +95%), Palau (+70%), Phu Quoc, Vietnam (+65%), Hyogo, Japan (+60%) 

Q: What day of the week is best for booking flights? 

A: The cheapest day to book is a Thursday.   

Q: Which international routes are currently under $550? 

A: These are the routes that Aussies can fly to for under $550: Gold Coast to Queenstown, Sydney to Auckland, Adelaide to Bali.