The best time to book flights to India is 90-150 days before departure for business class, and 60-90 days for economy. Avoid peak seasons (Diwali, Christmas, summer) to save 30-50%. The cheapest months are February, April, and September—book during these windows to save $800-$1,200 on business class.
Different cabin classes have different optimal booking windows. Premium cabins sell out faster and require earlier booking for the best prices.
| Cabin Class | Ideal Booking Window | Potential Savings | Peak Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 60-90 days | $200-$400 | +30% |
| Premium Economy | 90-120 days | $400-$600 | +40% |
| Business Class | 90-150 days | $800-$1,200 | +50% |
| First Class | 120-180 days | $1,500-$3,000 | +60% |
Understanding seasonal patterns helps you time both your travel and booking for maximum savings.
Post-New Year demand
Book before Dec 1st
Off-peak travel
Good deals available
Shoulder season
Book for Holi travel
Pre-summer lull
Best business class deals
Summer starting
Prices rising
Summer vacation peak
Book 4+ months ahead
Peak summer
Limited availability
Independence Day travel
Book by April
Shoulder season
Good value
Diwali/Dussehra
Book 6 months ahead
Post-Diwali/wedding season
Premium prices
Christmas/New Year
Book by July
October - November
December - January
June - August
Use AIFareFinder's price alert system to get notified when fares drop. Business class prices can fluctuate $500-$800 in a single week.
Flying Tuesday-Thursday instead of weekends saves $200-$400. Use our flexible date search to compare prices across a month.
Mumbai (BOM) is often $200-$300 cheaper than Delhi (DEL). Bangalore (BLR) and Hyderabad (HYD) can offer even better deals.
One-stop flights via Dubai, Frankfurt, or London are $600-$800 cheaper than non-stop. Gulf carrier business class is exceptional value.
For the best prices, book economy class flights 60-90 days ahead, premium economy 90-120 days, and business class 90-150 days before departure. First class should be booked 120-180 days in advance. Booking too early or too late typically costs 15-25% more.
The cheapest months to fly to India are February, April, and September. These shoulder seasons offer savings of 25-40% compared to peak periods. April typically has the lowest business class fares of the year.
Avoid booking during Diwali (October-November), Christmas/New Year (December-January), and summer vacation (June-August). These peak periods see price increases of 30-60% and limited availability. If you must travel during these times, book 4-6 months in advance.
The Tuesday booking myth is largely outdated for India routes. Airlines now use dynamic pricing that adjusts in real-time. Focus instead on booking during the ideal window (90-150 days for business class) and using price alerts to catch sales regardless of day.
Generally no. Unlike domestic flights, international business class to India rarely has last-minute deals. Premium cabins sell out early, especially on popular routes like YVR-DEL and YYZ-BOM. Book 3-5 months ahead for the best combination of price and availability.