Best Time to Book Alaska Airlines Flights

Alaska Airlines is among North America's leading carriers, renowned for its competitive fares, extensive route network, and traveler-friendly policies. Like other major airlines, Alaska’s fares fluctuate based on booking timeframes, seasonal demand, holidays, and even the specific days you choose to fly. Understanding exactly when to book can significantly lower your airfare and help you secure the best deals.

In this guide, we’ll pinpoint the optimal windows for booking Alaska Airlines flights, share strategies for using fare-tracking tools effectively, reveal the cheapest days to fly, and highlight insider tips for leveraging sales and promotions. With these insights, you’ll be well-equipped to find consistently affordable flights, whether you’re planning domestic travel or an international getaway.

What Is the Best Day to Book Alaska Airlines Flights?

No single day consistently guarantees the cheapest Alaska Airlines flights. However, research suggests Sundays and Tuesdays offer slight advantages. Airlines, including Alaska, frequently release discounted fares or special promotions early in the week, particularly on Tuesday mornings. Sundays may also yield modest savings due to airlines posting new fares over the weekend. Rather than relying on a single booking day, use comprehensive strategies and the right tools for better results.

How to Get the Cheapest Alaska Airlines Flights

Alaska Airlines already offers competitively priced tickets, but the right booking strategy can save even more. Below are essential tactics for securing the lowest fares, from timing your booking perfectly to taking advantage of fare sales and promotions.

1. Leverage Alaska Airlines’ Low Fare Calendar

Alaska Airlines provides a helpful tool called the Low Fare Calendar, which allows travelers to quickly find the most affordable dates for their chosen route. To access this feature on Alaska’s website, select "Flexible dates" when performing your flight search, and the calendar view will display the lowest fares available.

For instance, if you're planning a trip from Seattle (SEA) to Honolulu (HNL) in May 2025, Alaska’s Low Fare Calendar clearly highlights the cheapest dates to fly. In this example, the lowest fares of $203 are available on Monday and Tuesday, specifically on May 5th, 6th, 12th, and 13th.

Selecting one of these highlighted dates instead of more expensive weekend flights can lead to significant savings. Regularly checking this calendar ensures you always book the most budget-friendly options.

2. Optimal Booking Windows: Book Ahead of Time

Timing matters significantly when booking Alaska Airlines flights:

Domestic Flights: The ideal window for booking domestic flights is typically 2–3 months (8–12 weeks) before departure. Data from airfare studies suggest approximately 70 days in advance as the sweet spot for securing the lowest fares.
International Flights: For international flights (to destinations like Mexico, Canada, or Central America), the best booking window is around 4–6 months ahead, as international routes usually reach their lowest prices earlier due to limited frequency and higher demand.

Avoid booking too early (11 months out, when schedules first open) or too late (within three weeks of departure), as both extremes tend to have higher prices.

3. Be Flexible with Travel Dates

Flexibility can yield significant savings. Generally, flights departing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly on Alaska Airlines. Sundays and Fridays, conversely, tend to have the highest fares due to increased weekend demand. Avoid peak travel times, including summer vacations, holiday weeks, and major event periods. Traveling during off-peak months (such as January, February, and mid-fall) can offer the best savings.

4. Use Fare-Tracking Tools for Price Alerts

To catch fare drops quickly, consider using popular fare-tracking tools:

Google Flights: Offers email alerts for fare fluctuations on specific Alaska Airlines routes.
Skyscanner & Kayak: Allow price alerts, ensuring you don’t miss sales or sudden fare decreases.
AirTrackBot: Sends instant notifications about price drops directly via Telegram.

Setting up alerts with these services ensures you’ll be first in line when fares drop, enabling immediate booking at the best possible price.

For even deeper insights into fare trends, try our Flight Price Predictor, which analyzes airfare data and forecasts price movements — making it easier than ever to determine the perfect time to book.

5. Take Advantage of Alaska Airlines Sales and Promotions

Alaska Airlines frequently offers sales and promotions throughout the year. Keep an eye out for:

Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Annual mega-sales often include deeply discounted flights, sometimes as low as $29 one-way or promotional codes offering 20–30% discounts.
Weekly Web Specials: Check Alaska Airlines’ official “Weekly Web Specials” every Monday for freshly discounted fares.
Seasonal Sales: Alaska typically runs seasonal fare promotions at the beginning of each season — watch closely around January, late spring, and early fall.

Subscribe to Alaska’s email alerts and follow their social media pages (X, Facebook) to ensure you never miss a flash sale.

6. Join Alaska’s Mileage Plan Loyalty Program

Enrolling in the Mileage Plan allows you to accumulate miles for future discounted or free flights. Mileage Plan members often enjoy access to exclusive sales or reduced-mile awards, multiplying your savings over time.

7. Utilize Alaska’s Flexible Change Policies

Alaska Airlines has eliminated change and cancellation fees on main cabin tickets. Booking early secures a fare you’re comfortable with; if prices drop later, you can rebook and receive the fare difference as a credit. This policy ensures that booking early carries minimal risk.

8. Consider Alternate Airports and Connecting Flights

Flying in or out of alternative airports (such as Burbank instead of LAX) or choosing a connecting flight instead of nonstop routes can substantially reduce costs. Always compare these options during your flight search.

9. Evaluate One-Way Tickets for Better Prices

Booking separate one-way tickets can sometimes lead to savings, particularly if Alaska Airlines offers a low outbound fare, and another airline has a cheaper return leg. Consider mixing airlines or using miles for one leg and cash for the other.

10. Maximize Savings with Companion Fare Offers

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card provides an annual Companion Fare benefit. This perk lets your companion fly for a significantly reduced rate (typically $99 plus taxes). Combining this benefit with fare sales multiplies your potential savings.

Conclusion

Strategically booking Alaska Airlines flights involves booking at the optimal windows, maintaining flexibility with dates and airports, using fare-tracking tools, and leveraging regular sales. Understanding fare fluctuations and airline promotions ensures you consistently secure the cheapest flights, helping you travel affordably and confidently.

FAQ About Alaska Airlines Flights

What is the Alaska Airlines Low Fare Calendar?

A calendar tool on Alaska’s website that highlights the cheapest available fares for a route throughout an entire month, simplifying finding the lowest-priced days to travel.

When is the best time to book Alaska Airlines flights?

Book domestic flights 2–3 months ahead and international flights 4–6 months in advance for optimal pricing.

What is the best day to book Alaska Airlines flights?

Booking on Sunday or Tuesday can offer minor fare advantages due to airlines releasing discounted fares early in the week.

When are Alaska Airlines flights cheapest?

Typically, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sundays and Fridays usually have higher fares due to weekend travel demand.

How often does Alaska Airlines have sales?

Alaska Airlines offers weekly specials, seasonal promotions, and major annual sales around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Can I track Alaska Airlines flight prices?

Yes, using tools like Google Flights, AirTrackBot, Skyscanner, and Kayak helps you monitor and receive alerts on fare changes.

Does Alaska Airlines charge change or cancellation fees?

No, main cabin tickets now allow fee-free changes or cancellations. Fare differences apply, typically issued as travel credit.

How far in advance can I book Alaska Airlines flights?

Flights become available 330 days (around 11 months) before departure, but optimal pricing usually appears closer to the 2–6 month range, depending on domestic or international travel.

Does Alaska Airlines offer last-minute deals?

Rarely — while last-minute discounts occur occasionally on off-peak flights, prices usually rise significantly within 21 days of departure.

What are Alaska Airlines’ Black Friday deals?

Deep discounts and promotional codes around Black Friday often offer some of the lowest prices of the year.

What is the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare?

A benefit from the Alaska Airlines Visa card allowing a companion to fly for just $99 plus taxes, significantly reducing travel costs for two travelers.

Useful Links:

Flights: Skyscanner, AirTrackBot
Hotels: Booking.com, Skyscanner
Rental Cars: Skyscanner, Kayak

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