What are browser cookies?

Browser cookies are small text files created by a website and stored on your device.

First-party browser cookies belong to individual websites and serve different functions, primarily as a website's memory for your information, such as login details, preferences, and on-site activity. If you search for a flight on an airline's site, for example, it might remember your destination interests and remind you later if you haven't purchased a fare yet.

Third-party cookies are created by external domains, such as analytics platforms, for cross-site activity monitoring and targeted advertising. If you search for a flight on an airline site and then browse travel vlogs, social media posts, and other related content, advertisers can analyze cross-site cookies and place retargeted ads promoting flights you're interested in.

How long do browser cookies last?

Some browser cookies are temporary files that only exist as long as your browser is open, so your information isn't kept across different browsing sessions. Persistent cookies remain on your device until an expiration date or until you manually delete them. 

Do airlines use browser cookies to increase flight prices?

Airlines don't use browser cookies to increase flight prices. Most airlines use pricing systems based on fare buckets (which fares are bookable at any given time and for any given itinerary) and algorithm-based forecasting.

As a flight search tool, Skyscanner only shows prices from airlines and online travel agencies. Flight prices found in the search tool should be up-to-date, according to these providers, and Skyscanner doesn't increase or manipulate flight fares based on user behaviour. Skyscanner mainly uses browser cookies to track your preferred language, currency, recently searched destinations, and site usability.

Should I clear cookies before booking flights to get a better deal?

Clearing your cookies or using incognito mode is unlikely to help you find a cheaper flight. This strategy is largely considered debunked—if prices go up after your first search, they've likely gone up for everyone.

Why do flight prices go up?

Flight prices fluctuate based on numerous factors, often in real time. Repeated flight searches on your own don't increase prices, but user analytics do consider general interest levels across the site and cross-site visitors. Airlines use complex algorithms that constantly recalculate fares based on numerous variables, such as:

• Booking trends

• Seat availability

• Competitor pricing

• Time to departure

• Global events (such as fuel prices or flight disruptions)

In other words, price increases result from demand rather than individual browser surveillance. If you see higher prices after your initial search, you're seeing the market shift as it happens.

When's the best time to book a cheap flight?

Since prices are dependent on complex algorithms, there isn't a single day of the week or timeframe that's ideal for finding the best flight deals. In general, book within two or three months of departure for trips within Canada and up to six months ahead of time for international destinations.

Keep in mind that booking too early can also have disadvantages. Some airlines may not have published their schedules more than six months in advance, so reduced availability for certain destinations can drive up prices until new flights are added.

How can I find the best deals on flights?

There are several ways to find the best prices for flights in Canada or around the world:

• Sign up for price alerts to know as soon as flights to a specific destination have changed.

• If you’re flexible on your travel dates, search for flights on Skyscanner across a whole month or even a year to find the cheapest days. Midweek flights are often much cheaper than high-demand fares on weekends.

• Use Skyscanner's Explore Everywhere search tool to find flights around the world at the cheapest prices.

• Check prices at different airports near your departure or arrival destinations.

Start your search for flight deals

There are always flight deals to find, regardless of how many searches are in your browser history. Start searching for cheap flights with Skyscanner to book your next vacation at the lowest price available.