Best Sites to Find Cheap U.S. Domestic Flights

These platforms are essential for comparing prices, spotting trends, and setting alerts.

How to Consistently Get Cheap Domestic Flights (Pro Tips)

• Book in the right window: aim for about 1–3 months before departure for most routes; for peak travel book earlier.
• Fly on cheap days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are often less expensive than Friday and Sunday.
• Use flexible-date search: shifting by a few days can save dozens or hundreds of dollars.
• Compare nearby airports: in metro areas, smaller airports can have lower fares.
• Turn on price alerts: Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper will email or push-notify fare drops.
• Check airline-specific deals: some discounts appear only on an airline’s website (Southwest, Allegiant, etc.).
• Use points and miles: Chase Ultimate Rewards, AmEx Membership Rewards, and Capital One Miles can offset or cover fares.

Cheapest Airlines for Domestic Travel in the U.S.

Look for ultra-low-cost carriers for the absolute lowest base fares, then factor in fees.

Budget-friendly major airlines worth checking:

Cheap Domestic Routes You Should Watch

• LAX ↔ LAS (Los Angeles ↔ Las Vegas)
• NYC (JFK/LGA/EWR) ↔ Orlando (MCO)
• MIA/FLL ↔ ATL (Miami/Fort Lauderdale ↔ Atlanta)
• ORD/MDW ↔ DEN (Chicago ↔ Denver)
• SEA ↔ SFO/OAK/SJC (Seattle ↔ San Francisco Bay Area)

Typical deal range on competitive routes: $39–$99 one-way (varies by season and promotions).

Fare Calendar Tools

• Google Flights price graph and calendar
• Southwest Low Fare Calendar
• Allegiant Deals page

Bag Rules & Fees — Avoid Surprises

Fees can erase a bargain—always check the airline’s baggage policy before booking.

Airlines commonly offering free carry-on or generous allowances

• Southwest — 2 free checked bags (great value)
• JetBlue — carry-on included in most fares
• Alaska — friendly carry-on/checked-bag policy on many fares

Airlines or fares that may charge for carry-on / checked bags

• Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant — many fees by design
• Basic economy fares on major carriers can restrict carry-on or seat selection

Best Times of Year for Cheap U.S. Domestic Flights

Cheapest: January–February, late April–mid-May, September–mid-November.

Most expensive: Christmas/New Year, July & early August, Thanksgiving, and spring-break weeks.

Advanced Hacks for Even Cheaper Flights

• Hidden-city searches: tools like Skiplagged expose occasional savings — do not check bags if you try this.
• Book two one-way tickets: can be cheaper than a round-trip on some routes and carriers.
• Red-eye / early-morning flights: often significantly cheaper.
• Airline credit card sign-up bonuses: can pay for a round-trip after meeting the spend requirement.

Conclusion

Cheap domestic flights are obtainable with flexible dates, smart comparisons, and awareness of fees. Use fare calendars, set alerts, and double-check baggage rules to lock in genuine savings.