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Flight ticket release dates

Book early for cheaper seats, especially in peak times

Sally Francis
Sally Francis | Edited by Steve Nowottny
Updated 19 March 2024

When it comes to cheap flights, booking early can be key. So we've put our MoneySaving engines on full throttle to bring you the dates major airlines release seats.

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It's important to note there's no certainty about when's cheapest to book - prices can fall after tickets are released, especially if there's a sale, but it's not guaranteed. Your best bet to be sure to get a good price is to follow the tips in our Cheap flights guide.

But if you're looking to pounce as soon as seats go on sale, this table will help. It can also be very useful if you're a member of a frequent flyer scheme looking to spend your points on flights - booking as soon as reward seats are released can mean you've more choice as seats are very limited.

Airline ticket release dates

AIRLINE TICKETS GO ON SALE HOW TO GET RELEASE & SALES ALERTS
Air France Released continually, 11 months before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
American Airlines Released continually, up to 331 days before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its free frequent flyer scheme
British Airways Released continually, 355 days before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
Easyjet Batch release. The next release is at around 9am on Thu 21 March, for travel until 2 March 2025. See our Easyjet tricks guide
 Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
Emirates  Released continually, 340 days before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
Etihad Released continually, 11 months before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
Jet2 Released continually, 12 to 18 months before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
Iberia Released continually, 365 days before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its emails
KLM Released continually, around 11 months before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
Lufthansa Released continually, 360 days before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
Norwegian

Batch release, normally in January, either March or April, and again in September

 Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
Qatar Released continually, 361 days before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
Ryanair

Batch release, around 9 months before departure. Time of year varies. See our Ryanair tips guide

 Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email
Virgin Atlantic Released continually, 11 months before departure Follow its Facebook page and sign up to its email

Have you bagged a bargain booking early? Tell us about it on the Flight Ticket Release Dates forum thread.

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Flight Release Ticket Dates

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