When Can You Book a Flight? A Clear Explanation!
When you have plans to take a flight, it’s reassuring to be able to book well in advance—even if your trip is far off. That’s when the question arises: when exactly can you start booking flights? In fact, the answer varies depending on the airline, as each has its own rules such as “Bookings open from X months ahead” or “X days ahead.” Here, we’ll clearly explain when you can start booking flights and related points to keep in mind.
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When Can You Book a Flight? A Clear Explanation!
JAL’s Regular Fares From 330 Days Before, ANA’s From 355 Days Before
In the past, it was common for standard domestic tickets to go on sale from two months before the flight. As of May 2023, regional airlines such as JAL, FDA (Fuji Dream Airlines), ORC (Oriental Air Bridge), Amakusa Airlines, and Ibex Airlines still follow the two‑month booking rule. However, these periods can change, so it’s always best to check the airline’s website for the latest information.
JAL & ANA Early-Bird Discounts
JAL offers “Sakitoku” fares, while ANA offers “ANA SUPER VALUE” fares—discount tickets available when booking early. The booking deadlines for these are generally set between 21 to 75 days before the flight, with some plans like “Ultra Sakitoku” or “ANA SUPER VALUE 75” closing more than two months in advance.
Note that these early-bird tickets usually do not allow changes to your flight. Payment deadlines are also strict—typically within 2 to 3 days of booking (including the booking day)—so make sure your plans are firm before purchasing.
LCCs Have Irregular Booking Start Dates
For low-cost carriers (LCCs) such as Peach, Jetstar, AIRDO, Solaseed Air, StarFlyer, Spring Japan, and AirAsia Japan, booking start dates are not fixed. In most cases, tickets for a given period (such as the summer or winter schedule) are released all at once.
Additionally, ultra-cheap “bargain” tickets may be released unexpectedly. To catch these deals early, it’s a good idea to register for each airline’s social media updates or email newsletters. This way, you can get the latest discount information as soon as it’s available.
Skymark Allows Bookings More Than Two Months in Advance
Among low-cost carriers (LCCs), Skymark begins selling regular fare tickets at 7:00 a.m. two months before the departure date. Discounted fares, as with other LCCs, are generally released in bulk for specific seasonal periods.
International Flight Reservations Start Earlier Than Domestic Flights
For international flights, booking typically opens earlier than for domestic routes—generally around 11 months in advance. For example, JAL begins accepting bookings at 10:00 a.m. (Japan time) 360 days before the departure date of the final sector, while ANA starts at 9:00 a.m. (Japan time) 355 days prior.
In principle, each airline sets its own ticket sales period. This is especially important to note for LCCs, whose schedules are more prone to changes. Booking before the timetable is finalized could result in flight changes or discount fares not applying, so caution is advised.
◎ Summary
In this article, we explained the booking start dates for flights. For domestic flights, JAL opens bookings 330 days in advance, while ANA allows them 355 days before departure. For many LCCs, ticket sales are released in bulk by season. Special fares like early-bird discounts have varying rules depending on the plan, so always check the airline’s official website.
International flights typically open for booking earlier than domestic ones, with around 11 months in advance being a common benchmark. However, booking earlier does not necessarily mean you’ll get the cheapest fare. To secure the best deals, it’s important to watch for fare drop timings and check frequently.
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