Cheap Domestic Flights in USA

What’s the best time of year to fly to the USA for low prices?

Best Times to Fly to 20 U.S. Cities for the Lowest Airfare

📅 Best Times to Fly to 20 U.S. Cities for the Lowest Airfare

If your goal is to save money on flights to the United States, timing your trip correctly is one of the most effective strategies. Airfare changes throughout the year based on demand, holidays, school schedules, and seasonal travel patterns.

Below is a city-by-city guide covering 20 major U.S. destinations, showing the best times of year to fly for low prices and why those months are typically cheaper.

✈️ Cheapest Time to Fly to Major U.S. Cities

  • New York (NYC) – Cheapest: January–March, September–October
    Why: Post-holiday lull and fall shoulder season
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Cheapest: January–March, September–November
    Why: Winter dip and reduced fall demand
  • Miami (MIA) – Cheapest: January–March
    Why: Winter shoulder season before spring break
  • Chicago (ORD / MDW) – Cheapest: April–May, September–October
    Why: Spring and fall shoulder periods
  • Orlando (MCO) – Cheapest: April–May, September–October
    Why: After spring break and before holiday crowds
  • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – Cheapest: January–March, September–October
    Why: Lower demand outside peak beach season
  • Dallas (DFW) – Cheapest: January–February, August–September
    Why: Post-holiday and late-summer airfare dips
  • Boston (BOS) – Cheapest: Late April–May, September–October
    Why: Spring and fall shoulder travel
  • Philadelphia (PHL) – Cheapest: April–May, September–October
    Why: Reduced leisure travel demand
  • Atlanta (ATL) – Cheapest: January–March
    Why: Winter slowdown after the holidays
  • Tampa (TPA) – Cheapest: February–March
    Why: End of peak winter tourism
  • Houston (IAH) – Cheapest: April–May, September–October
    Why: Shoulder seasons with lighter demand
  • Pittsburgh (PIT) – Cheapest: Late April–June, September
    Why: Mild travel seasons
  • Detroit (DTW) – Cheapest: May–June, September
    Why: Spring and fall shoulder pricing
  • Charlotte (CLT) – Cheapest: Spring, Fall
    Why: Lower seasonal travel volume
  • Knoxville (TYS) – Cheapest: Spring, Early Fall
    Why: Fewer visitors outside peak months
  • Pensacola (PNS) – Cheapest: September–October
    Why: End of summer beach season
  • Des Moines (DSM) – Cheapest: Spring, Fall
    Why: Lower tourism traffic
  • Myrtle Beach (MYR) – Cheapest: September
    Why: Post-summer vacation drop
  • Burbank (BUR) – Cheapest: August
    Why: Back-to-school airfare dip near Los Angeles

📆 Why These Months Are Cheaper

  • January to March: After New Year’s, travel demand drops sharply, creating some of the lowest fares of the year.
  • September to October: A classic shoulder season between summer vacations and holiday travel.
  • April to May: Spring travel before summer crowds arrive.
  • Late August: Families return home, reducing demand and prices in select cities.

💡 How to Save Even More on Flights to the USA

  • Set price alerts early using flight comparison tools
  • Fly mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) when fares are usually lower
  • Compare nearby airports for better pricing
  • Book international flights about 2–5 months in advance
  • Avoid major holidays, long weekends, and school break periods

📍 Final Takeaway

The best time of year to fly to the USA for low prices is typically January through mid-March and September through mid-October. These periods consistently offer the lowest average airfare across many U.S. destinations.

By combining the right destination with the right travel month — and staying flexible — you can significantly reduce the cost of flying to the United States.

If you’d like, you can also add sample price ranges per city, create a cheapest month-to-fly calendar, or break this down by international departure region for more precision.