How to fly cheaply and comfortably: experts told us when to buy tickets and which seats to choose on the plane
Planning a vacation by plane? Find out when to fly to save money and which seats to choose for a comfortable flight. Experts tell you how to make your trip cheaper and more comfortable - from choosing the day to the perfect seat
Planning a vacation always starts with pleasant chores – choosing a destination, hotel, travel dates. We browse through a lot of offers, choose between the sea and the mountains, look for the best photos on Instagram and already imagine ourselves in a new place, but even the most ideal trip can be spoiled before you even set foot on the soil of another country – due to a bad flight, noise in the cabin or an inflated ticket price.
To make your vacation start smoothly, you should pay attention to two seemingly trivial things: when to fly and where exactly to sit on the plane. Travel experts shared their observations that will help save money, nerves and make the flight as comfortable as possible.
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What day of the week to fly to pay less?
Most people choose their flight date intuitively: some want to leave immediately after work, others - on the weekend, so as not to take extra vacation days. However, according to vacation expert Rob, an insider at the travel company On The Beach, the day of departure can significantly affect the cost of your entire trip.
The expert conducted a large-scale analysis of bookings for 2026 and discovered an interesting pattern: Wednesday turned out to be the most expensive day to travel, because it is on this day that most short flights are filled with business passengers, which increases demand - and, accordingly, prices.
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A flight on Tuesday or Saturday will cost a little cheaper, but the most profitable day unexpectedly became Friday. According to the expert, it allows you to save up to 13% on the cost of the flight compared to Wednesday.
There are more flights on Friday, airlines are expanding their offers for vacationers, so competition between them reduces prices. In addition, hotels often offer special packages specifically for arrival on Friday, the expert explained.
And although many people think that Friday is a “hot day” and prices, on the contrary, increase, statistics show the opposite. If you plan your vacation in advance, this day can be your most profitable start to the trip.
Tip: If your schedule allows flexibility, play with dates. Even changing your flight a day earlier or later can significantly reduce costs, especially in popular tourist destinations during the season.
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What are the best seats on a plane?
Once you’ve decided on the day of the week, the next big decision is where to sit. For some, it’s a small thing, while for others, it’s the key to a smooth flight. And if you’ve ever sat next to a toilet or too close to an engine, you know how much of a difference it can make.
According to Nicholas Smith, Thomas Cook’s chief digital officer, passengers should avoid the back of the plane because it’s more prone to turbulence, has a galley and toilets nearby, so noise levels are higher, and service is often slower. In addition, these seats have limited backrest tilt and often lack space in the overhead bins, as some of the space is taken up by the crew’s belongings.
So if peace and comfort are important to you, choose the front of the plane – there’s less noise, faster service, and you’ll be one of the first to leave the cabin after landing.
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Optimal areas on the plane for different types of travelers
Experts emphasize: the ideal place is individual, so when choosing, you should also pay attention to your personal circumstances:
- For those who are afraid of turbulence: it is best to sit above the wings. This is closest to the center of gravity of the plane, so the vibrations are felt much less.
- For couples: it is worth booking a seat near the window and the aisle, leaving the middle free - there is a chance that no one will take it, and you will have a little more space.
- For passengers with transfers: choose seats closer to the front to get off faster and not be late for the next flight.
- For tall travelers: the area near the emergency exits or the bulkhead has more legroom, but often with fixed armrests and limited backrest tilt.
When planning a trip, we are used to thinking about destinations, visas and hotels. But the details are the little things that make a trip truly comfortable. Choose the right day, pay attention to choosing a seat on the plane - and your vacation will begin even before takeoff.
Because a good vacation is not only a destination, but also a way to it!
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Reminder! Traveling by plane can be very tiring. Therefore, it is important to take care of additional comfort and choose the right seat in the cabin. More details about the distribution of seats on the plane by letters in this article.
Photo – Freepik
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Frequantly
asked questions
What day of the week is the most profitable for a flight?
What seats on the plane are best avoided?
Where should you sit for a comfortable flight?
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