Study Finds the Best Time to Buy Plane Tickets
Study Finds the Best Time to Buy Plane Tickets
https://student.grablingo.com/materials_units/1866
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
at the last minute
Phrase
ət ðə læst ˈmɪnɪt
only a short time before something happens; at the last opportunity
Sam decided what to wear to the job interview at the last minute.
available
Adjective
əˈveɪləbəl
able to be purchased or used
I'm sorry, but we don't have any rooms available.
on average
Phrase
ɑːn ˈævərɪdʒ
usually or typically
Life-long smokers are said to lose about 10 years of life on average.
domestic
Adjective
dəˈmɛstɪk
happening within a particular country; not international
The check-in area for domestic flights is on the other side of the airport.
in advance
Phrase
ɪn ədˈvɑːns
before an event or a point in the future
Let me know in advance if you want to go, so I'll know how many reservations to make.
obvious
Adjective
ˈɑːbviːəs
easy to understand, recognize, or see
It's obvious that she loves shopping.
Exercise 2
Article
Study Finds the Best Time to Buy Plane Tickets
Everyone knows that buying plane tickets at the last minute can be very expensive. But did you know that buying them as soon as they become available usually isn't the cheapest option?
Travel website CheapAir.com looked at 917 million airfares sold in the US. They wanted to answer the question, "When is the best time to buy my airline ticket?"
The study found that in 2017, on average, the best time to buy a domestic flight within the US was 70 days in advance. That's longer than in 2016, when they found that 54 days in advance was the best time to buy.
The study recommended checking domestic flight prices between four months and three weeks before the date of travel. During this time, the average ticket was within five percent of the lowest possible price.
Most flights can be booked as early as 11 months before the date of travel. However, the study found that domestic US flights booked between six and 11 months in advance were on average $50 more expensive than the lowest possible price. Flights booked less than a week in advance were $208 more expensive on average.
Interestingly, the average ticket changed price 62 times between becoming available and the actual date of travel. That's about once every five to six days. Each time, the price went up or down by an average of about $36.
For international travel, the best time to buy was less clear as it changed a lot depending on the destination. But "the most important rule is ... obvious," says Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir. "Don’t wait until the last minute, as that rarely works out."
Exercise 3
Questions
When was the best time to buy a domestic flight ticket in the US in 2017?
When should you check flight prices within the US, according to the study?
What is the most important rule for booking flights, according to Jeff Klee?
Exercise 4
Discussion
Do you find it surprising that booking plane tickets as soon as they become available usually isn't the cheapest option? Why? Why not?
Why do you think ticket prices change so often? Please explain your answer.
Do you usually book flights online or through a travel agent? Why?
Do you have any tips for finding cheap plane tickets? If so, please share them.
Do you think air travel will become cheaper over the next few decades? Why? Why not?
Exercise 5
Further Discussion
When was the last time you flew? Where did you go?
Can you remember the first time you flew on an airplane? Please explain your answer.
What's the best airline you've ever flown with? Why?
What do you imagine are the most popular holiday destinations for people in your country? Please explain your answer.
Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer. - Unknown. What are your thoughts on this statement?
