Airfare Savings: Secrets to Finding Cheap Flights

Mr Plane Guy
Jul 8
6 min read

How to Get the Cheapest Flights in 2025: Insider Secrets from a Frequent Flyer

By Travel Expert and all round travel Guru Mr Plane Guy

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Let’s be real: cheap flights aren’t magic – they’re strategy.

Hi, I’m Paul aka Mr Plane Guy – travel blogger, airline reviewer, and seasoned flyer with over 100 airport lounges under my belt. I’ve flown on everything from £9.99 Ryanair hops to long-haul biz class bargains, and I’m here to help you get the best bang for your buck when it comes to airfare.

Whether you’re planning a dream trip to Japan or a cheeky city break in Seville, this is your full, no-nonsense guide to saving money on flights in 2025.

1. The Best Days to Fly for Cheap Fares

This is one of the biggest money-saving secrets that still catches people off guard. According to travel expert Dawn Morwood of Cheap Deals Away:

"Tuesday and Wednesday departures are almost always cheaper than weekend flights."

Why? Simple supply and demand. Most people want to jet off on a Friday and return Sunday – which is exactly when airlines charge a premium. If you can swing midweek travel, you’ll often shave £50–£150 off your roundtrip.

Top tip: When searching flights on Google Flights or Skyscanner, always use the calendar view to see which days are cheapest.

2. When’s the Best Time to Book Flights?

If you’re thinking “I’ll book it ten months early to lock it in,” hold up.

Flight prices follow dynamic pricing – constantly changing based on demand forecasts, load factors, and airline algorithms.

But don’t leave it too late either! The sweet spot for booking is:

Short-haul Europe: 6–8 weeks before
Long-haul (e.g. US, Asia): 8–12 weeks before

Last-minute deals can happen (especially on underbooked routes), but they’re risky. You might save money… or get stuck with sky-high prices and zero seat choices.

High angle view of an airplane taking off How to Get the Cheapest Flights in 2025: Insider Secrets from a Frequent Flyer — Capturing the moment of flight departure.

3. The Tools Every Flight-Hunter Needs

I’ve tested dozens of sites and tools over the years – here are the ones that consistently deliver:

✈️ Google Flights

Best for flexibility and speed. You can search whole months and see how prices fluctuate by day. Add filters (bags included, specific airlines, etc) to get what you want fast.

✈️ Skyscanner

Great for wide search results, especially if you want to compare booking platforms like Expedia, Opodo, and direct with airlines.

✈️ Jack’s Flight Club

This is my secret weapon. I’ve been a Premium member for years and have saved hundreds. Think £303 direct to Singapore, £260 returns to New York, and my personal favourite – £420 to Brazil.

You’ll get email alerts for:

Error fares
Flash sales
Long-haul and short-haul flight deals

You don’t search for deals – they come to you. Perfect if you’re flexible or just like a spontaneous bargain.

PROMO: Try Premium for just £1 using my link here.

Blog Post: Jack’s Flight Club Review: Is It Really Worth It?

✈️ Opodo Prime A subscription that pays for itself fast. You’ll get exclusive discounts on flights, hotels, and car hire, even for up to 4 friends on your booking. Plus monthly promo codes, members-only sales, and the option to freeze fares for £1. Worth it if you book more than a couple of trips a year.

Click here to join Opodo Prime and start saving now!

✈️ Trip.comSome of the cheapest fares I’ve seen lately, think London–Edinburgh or London–Barcelona for £10. The site’s easy to use, shows flexible options, and sometimes has extra app-only discounts. Keep an eye on their flash sales for short-haul and even some sneaky long-haul bargains.

4. Be Flexible – Your Wallet Will Thank You

If you’re open to changing dates or destinations, you can save a small fortune.

Fly midweek: Tuesdays and Wednesdays = cheaper flights.
Use alternate airports: Flying out of London Stansted might be cheaper than Heathrow. Same for arriving into Milan Bergamo instead of Milan Malpensa.
Check one-way combos: Sometimes booking two one-way flights with different airlines can be cheaper than a return ticket.

5. Use Price Alerts Like a Pro

Set up price alerts on Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak. You’ll get an email when fares drop – ideal if you know your route but aren’t in a rush.

Top Tip: Always search in incognito mode to avoid price inflation based on your cookies/search history.

6. Budget Airlines – Blessing or Baggage Fee Nightmare?

I fly Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air regularly – but I also know how to beat their sneaky fees.

Pack light: A good underseat bag (I use Cabin Max Metz) avoids hand luggage fees.
Skip seat selection: Unless you’re desperate for a window, let them assign you one for free at check-in.
Check airports: Some budget routes fly to secondary airports that are miles from the city – factor in ground transport costs.

7. Join Loyalty and Frequent Flyer Programs

Even if you fly twice a year, it adds up. I’ve used Avios to get free upgrades, lounge access, and even full reward flights.

Join British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue, or Miles & More.
Use co-branded credit cards to earn points on everyday spending.
Don’t let points expire – book reward flights, upgrade, or even use them on car hire or hotels.

8. Seat Selection & Bag Fees – Where Airlines Get You

A £19.99 Ryanair ticket becomes £85 once you add a seat, hand luggage, and speedy boarding. Here’s how to outsmart it:

Pack smart: Use compression cubes and underseat bags to skip fees.
Check-in early: You’ll often be auto-assigned a seat – it’s usually fine unless you're travelling in a group.
Buy bundle fares if needed: Some airlines offer bundles that include bags/seats – this can be cheaper than adding them individually.

Final Boarding Call: My Cheap Flight Strategy in a Nutshell

Here’s how I score flight deals on the regular:

Start with Jack’s Flight Club – keep an eye out for mistake fares and flash sales.
Use Google Flights to check monthly trends and track prices.
Be flexible – Tuesdays and Wednesdays are cheapest.
Book 6–12 weeks in advance depending on the route.
Avoid extras: pack light, skip seat fees, and use incognito mode.
Join loyalty programs and rack up points (Avios, Flying Blue, etc).

Ready to Save on Your Next Flight?

Whether you're booking a quick city break or planning your dream trip, these tips will help you save big without cutting corners.

And if you want more insider travel hacks, lounge reviews, and flight deals – subscribe to my blog MrPlaneGuy.com and follow me on Instagram and TikTok @mr_planeguy.

Let’s make flying fun (and affordable) again.

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