How Do Last Minute Flights Work?

Last minute flights have gained popularity, especially in recent years. During the unpredictable pandemic years in particular, these late-booking offers often provided the only way to go on holiday. But even since then, last minute deals remain a favourite among spontaneous travellers. Cost is often a factor here as well. But do last minute flights get cheaper or more expensive? Where can you book last minute flights? And how does last minute work at the airport? You’ll find the answers in the article below.

Contents:

1. Where Can You Book Last Minute Flights? 

2. Do Last Minute Flights Get Cheaper? 

3. Booking Last Minute Flights: Tips & Tricks

Where Can You Book Last Minute Flights?

If you’re looking to take off on holiday at short notice, you have several options. For one, you can use the usual booking channels such as various online platforms or the websites of airlines or travel providers. “Last minute” is a somewhat flexible term – often, the sale of remaining seats starts around two weeks before departure.

 

You can also book last minute flights directly at the airport. This option is ideal for especially spontaneous holidaymakers. Some of these flights take off less than two hours after booking at the counter. Of course, this requires a great deal of flexibility, but if you decide on a whim to head to the airport in the morning, you could be soaking up the sun by the Mediterranean by early afternoon.

 

Tip: If you prefer to plan your trips in advance, check out our articles on vacation in Europe in 2025 or the best long-distance trips for 2025.

Do Last Minute Flights Get Cheaper?

The prospect of flying on holiday for a bargain price is a major reason many choose last minute flights. But spontaneous trips are not necessarily cheaper – in fact, often quite the opposite. That’s because late bookings reduce planning certainty for airlines and tour operators. Larger companies in particular tend to favour early bird deals for this reason. Due to high demand for popular destinations, providers don’t have to worry about being left with unsold seats – even without discounting prices.

 

Instead, the last minute market is increasingly filled by smaller companies that specialise in end-of-sale travel deals. In individual cases, it is still possible to snag a last minute flight or even a package holiday at a bargain price. However, the number of available seats is usually much smaller, so in addition to a bit of luck, you’ll also need to be flexible regarding travel time and destination.

Booking Last Minute Flights: Tips & Tricks

So how does last minute flying work best for you and your wallet? Despite the element of luck involved, there are some useful tips that can help turn spontaneous travel into a success.

1. Use comparison sites
   Heading straight to the airport with packed bags to book a flight at the counter might sound exciting, but it’s usually not the best option. Once at the airport, your ability to compare prices or change your choice is limited – and going back home is hardly an appealing thought. Online comparison sites offer a better chance of finding fairly priced offers. Booking at the airport should only be considered if the trip is truly last minute.
   

2. Travel alone or with as few companions as possible
   Last minute offers are often leftover or recently cancelled seats just before departure. As such, there are often only individual seats available – the more people you’re travelling with, the harder (and more expensive) it becomes to fly to the same destination at the same time. Solo travellers can often score great deals at low prices, whereas families or groups of friends are better off taking advantage of early bird discounts.
   
   

3. Avoid peak season
   It’s common knowledge that flights are cheaper outside of school holidays and peak travel periods – and this applies to last minute flights too. Although there may be fewer flights scheduled during off-peak times, it’s also more likely that not all seats are filled. Additionally, there are usually fewer people ready to snap up cancelled bookings. In high season, airlines and travel providers assume that there will always be someone to fill the empty seats – even at high prices.
   

4. Be spontaneous with your travel dates
   The more flexible you are with your travel dates, the more likely you are to find a good deal. Sometimes, there may be very few leftover seats – and therefore fewer cheap last minute offers – on certain days. On the flip side, being able to act quickly on a low fare and start your holiday the same day can pay off. If possible, define a rough window of a few days for both departure and return, and then look for particularly attractive deals.
   

5. Be flexible with your destination
   It’s not always predictable which destinations will be available for last minute travel. Popular destinations are flown to more frequently and thus have more cancellations – but they also have higher demand, and providers are more confident they can sell the remaining seats at high prices. Lesser-known destinations, on the other hand, often come with better deals. So it’s best not to insist on a specific destination. In fact, the spontaneity of discovering your holiday destination at the last minute can be part of the charm – and may lead you to places you’d never have considered otherwise.

No matter where your journey takes you, we wish you a pleasant flight. And if you’re still looking for a last minute airport parking spot, our bonus program gives you the best chance of finding one.