When searching for a cheap deal into, out of, or across Canada, you’ve probably noticed that flight prices fluctuate at random – making it hard to really know the best time to book. Let's dive into why flight prices change and how you can use this to your advantage.

Why are flight prices constantly changing?

A little insight

If you’ve ever watched a flight deal vanish before your eyes, you’re not imagining things. One moment the price jumps, the next it drops — it can feel like travel roulette.

Whether you’re booking a last-minute escape to Banff or snagging seats for a concert in Vancouver, it pays to know what’s behind the shifts. The good news? Great deals are always out there — if you know where (and when) to look.

One of the biggest reasons flight prices change so quickly is a clever little tactic called yield management. Airlines use it to forecast demand and adjust prices in real time — always aiming to fill seats while maximising profits.

Let’s unpack how it works — and how you can outsmart it.

What is yield management?

And how does it affect flight prices?

Imagine a giant game of chess, but instead of knights and pawns, it's airline seats and eager travellers. That's essentially what yield management is – a strategic system that airlines use to sell the right seat to the right person at the right price, ultimately maximizing their profits.

Airlines understand that different travellers have different priorities. A family planning a summer vacation in advance is more likely to hunt for bargains, while a business traveller needing a last-minute flight is often willing to pay a premium for convenience.

Basically, airlines use various tools to gather this information and use it to their advantage, including:

• Analyzing user data: Airlines use sophisticated algorithms to track booking patterns, predict demand, and identify peak travel times. This is why high demand and peak travel times often result in increased flight prices.

• Dynamic pricing software: Those cheap fares you see months in advance? They're designed to entice early birds. As the flight date approaches and seats fill up, prices rise, especially for last-minute bookings – this is known as dynamic pricing.

• Controlling seat inventory: Airlines carefully allocate seats between different fare classes (economy, premium economy, business, etc.) to ensure they're maximizing revenue from each flight.

How to use the flight pricing cycle to your advantage

Grab a bargain

Once you understand why flight prices change, then it's time to use that knowledge to find the best flight deals.

When are the best airline sales?

Hit subscribe

While they used to be more commonplace, official airline seat sales are happening less frequently. To stay on top of flight price changes for your desired destinations, your best bet is to sign up for the newsletter of your favourite airlines so that you'll be the first to be notified of any seat sales or special offers.

Can cookies affect flight prices?

Yes, they can

Another great travel hack to find cheap flight prices is to clear your browser cookies or use a private browsing window when searching for flights. This prevents airlines from tracking your searches and potentially inflating prices based on your previous activity.

When do flight prices go down?

Come in for landing

Flight prices go down when consumer demand is low, airlines aren’t hitting their targets, and competing airlines have price drops and sales. The best time to book your flights can also depend on whether you’re travelling internationally or within Canada.

International flights

Early bird catches the worm

Airlines tend to offer their lowest prices when flights first open for sale, typically 11 months in advance, making booking early the best strategy for securing cheap international flights out of Canada.

Domestic flights

Strike a balance

When searching for cheap domestic flights in Canada, like a weekend getaway to Montreal or experiencing the Calgary Stampede, aim to book three to six weeks before your departure date. This sweet spot often yields the most competitive fares.

Getting the best flight prices

Money-saving tips and tricks for cheaper travel

On top of understanding how yield management affects flight prices and how it can help you determine the best time to book, there are a few other things to keep in mind to get the best deals.

Use the Skyscanner app

To find the cheapest prices

Don't let your data get in the way of finding a great flight deal. Because airlines use cookies to track your search history and the days you're interested in travelling, you could miss out on a flight price drop — as the prediction is that you will book the flight regardless of cost.

The Skyscanner app helps you avoid this problem, as you’ll see the cheapest flight prices available.

Fly midweek

For better deals, avoid the weekend

Friday and weekend flights are often the most popular days for travel. However, due to this high demand, flight prices increase for end-of-the-week tickets, while the same flights between Monday and Thursday tend to be cheaper. So if you can be flexible with your travel dates, try to avoid flying on the weekend.

Set up Price Alerts

Let the deals come to you

Set up a Skyscanner Price Alert and we’ll ping you the moment fares drop on flights you’re watching. It’s the easiest way to catch the lowest prices — whether you’re planning ahead or just tracking what a good deal actually looks like.