Are cheaper flights coming? How to find the best deals

There could be good news for UK holidaymakers: air fares might be on the way down.

According to Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, cheaper oil is likely to bring relief to passengers. “It’s typically our single biggest cost,” he told Bloomberg. “There’s almost a direct correlation between the price of oil and the price of airline tickets.”

As fuel prices drop, airlines may soon pass those savings on to consumers. Combine this with our tips on bagging a bargain flight, and you could save yourself some serious cash.

Here are seven smart ways to find cheap flights from the UK - whatever your destination.

Set price alerts

Websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner and Kayak allow you to set alerts for specific routes. These tools keep tabs on changing fares and send you notifications when prices dip, so you can strike when it’s cheapest.

Be flexible with your travel dates

Flying midweek (usually Tuesdays or Wednesdays), outside school holidays or during unsociable hours (think early morning or late night) can shave hundreds off your airfare. Use flexible search tools to compare fares across a full month.

Book in the ‘sweet spot’

Timing matters. For short-haul flights around Europe, booking six to eight weeks in advance often offers the best value. For long-haul trips, you may want to plan three to six months ahead, depending on the season.

Use frequent flyer points or credit card rewards

If you’ve built up points with a frequent flyer programme (like British Airways Executive Club or Virgin Flying Club) or through a travel rewards credit card, now could be a great time to cash them in. Falling prices mean your points may stretch even further.

Check alternative airports

Flying from (or into) a different airport can often be significantly cheaper. For example, compare London Heathrow to Gatwick, Luton or Stansted - or look at regional options like Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh for better deals.

Look for flash sales and mistake fares

Keep an eye out for airline sales and rare ‘error fares’ (when an airline accidentally lists a flight for far less than it should). Websites like Jack’s Flight Club, Secret Flying and Holiday Pirates specialise in flagging these deals to UK-based travellers.

Sign up for airline newsletters

If you’re serious about saving, sign up to a few airline mailing lists. This is often where promo codes, early access sales and limited-time discounts are announced - sometimes before they’re revealed to the wider public.