Last Minute Flights
Looking to purchase flights at the last minute? Use Alternative Airlines to search for last minute flights from over 650 airlines.
Last Minute Flights
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Passengers
1 Adult, Economy/Coach
What are Last-Minute Flights?
Last-minute flights are flights that are purchased close to the departure date and time of the flight. They're usually bought in the days or weeks leading up to the flight but, sometimes, can be bought on the day of or the day before the flight.
Last-minute flights are perfect for people who need to travel in an emergency or those who have flexible travel plans. While buying a flight last minute doesn't always guarantee a cheaper price, last-minute flights can sometimes be cheaper than buying flights at other times, due to the airline's need to fill the plane.
Although the name 'last minute' might suggest that flights are purchased minutes before the flight is scheduled to depart, it's impossible to buy a flight in the minutes leading up to a flight as check-in will have already closed.
At Alternative Airlines, the majority of our e-tickets are sent to you instantly or within 2 hours. However, please note that in some cases it might take up to 24 hours to receive your e-ticket.
How to Buy Last-Minute Flights
Search for flights
Use Alternative Airlines' search form to search for flights from the two destinations that you want to travel between and enter the date that you want to travel on.
In this example, we've decided to search for last-minute flights with a departure date that is one day after booking.
How to Buy Last-Minute Flights
Pick your last-minute flight
We'll show you all available last-minute flights for the dates and destinations that you've selected. Scroll through the different flights and find the one right for you.
Once you've found the last minute flight that's right for you, click on it and confirm your selection to proceed.
How to Buy Last-Minute Flights
Confirm your booking
Fill out the details of each passenger travelling and add any baggage/seats if necessary.
Once you've filled in all the details, select your preferred payment method to pay for your last-minute flights. You'll then be taken to the next page where you will finalise your payment. When payment has been made, your airline tickets will be purchased — it's that easy to buy last-minute flights at Alternative Airlines!
Last-Minute Flights to Las Vegas
The best airport to fly to in Las Vegas is McCarran International Airport. Here are some examples of airlines that you can get last-minute flights:
Last-Minute Flights to New York
There are a number of airports you can get last-minute flights to. These include Albany International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, New York JFK and Syracuse Hancock International. Here are some example airlines that you can get last-minute flights to New York:
Last-Minute Flights to London
The two main international airports for flying to London are London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport. However, you can also fly to London Luton, London Stansted or London City Airport. These are the best airlines to buy last-minute flights to London on:
Last-Minute Flight Tips
We'd like to share some top tips and tricks for finding the quickest, cheapest last minute flight deals with any airline. You'll want to consider which destinations you'd like to fly to, what dates you can fly and the time of your flight. Follow our tips below to find the right flight for you.
Flexible destinations
When searching for last-minute flights we advise that you're open-minded about the destination that you travel to. By being flexible with the country you visit you can find some hidden gems at low prices. Instead of splashing the cash on a trip to Hawaii, why not visit the beautiful island of Madeira?
Flexible dates
Do you have some space in your diary for a last-minute trip? If so, why not book a last-minute flight today and be packing your bags for a spontaneous flight tomorrow? Use our Best Fare Finder tool when booking flights to search for the cheapest days to travel.
Night flights
A top tip when booking last-minute flights is to buy flights that depart late in the afternoon. Afternoon/evening flights tend to be cheaper than morning flights as it's usually less busy. If your travelling for business purposes we recommend that you look at red-eye flights. These flights depart late at night and arrive early morning the following day so you won't miss a working day.
Last-minute travel with the family?
If you'd like to book last-minute flights for a family vacation, we can provide you with all of the essential tips and tricks you need to ensure you grab the best last-minute deals out there. Take a look at the guide linked here where we cover the best destinations for a last-minute family vacation
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Last-Minute Flights FAQs
Are last minute flights cheaper?
Last-minute flights can offer cheap seats as the airline might sell its last remaining seats at a cheaper price to fill the plane. However, this doesn't mean that last-minute flights are always cheaper. If you hold out until the last minute to purchase your flights because you think they'll be cheaper, you might end up disappointed.
Why are last minute flights so expensive?
Last-minute flights aren't always expensive. However, airlines might sometimes raise the price of a last-minute flight as they know that some passengers are more willing to spend more if they are desperate for last-minute travel. Additionally, last-minute flights are commonly purchased by business travellers who generally are able to spend more on airfare than those flying for leisure.
Can you get last minute flight deals?
There aren't any specific last-minute flight deals at Alternative Airlines. However, you can use any of the applicable promo codes with your last-minute flight on our offers page.
How do I find last minute flights?
When to book last minute flights?
You can book last-minute flights on any of the days leading up to your flight. However, it's worth noting that the longer you leave it, the more difficult it'll be to find a last-minute flight that is suited to your travel needs.
Where to book last-minute weekend trips?
At Alternative Airlines, you can book last-minute weekend flights with ease. Whether you're looking for flights for a 2-day getaway or 4-day getaway, we've got you covered. Take a look at our guides on 2-day getaways and 4-day getaways for more information!
Where to buy last minute flights?
You can buy last minute flights here at Alternative Airlines. Follow our step by step guide above for a comprehensive overview on how to buy last minute flights with Alternative Airlines.
Can I buy last-minute flights at the airport?
Yes, however, this is not the best option if you're looking for a cheap flight deal at the last-minute. If you aim to buy your tickets at the airport, be prepared to be quoted a high price for the ticket. For more guidance on this topic, take a look at our page on buying flights at the airport.
Are standby flights the same as last-minute flights?
Yes, standby flights can be considered 'last-minute' because they are typically purchased at the very last minute at the airport. However, standby flights don't exist anymore as tickets need to be purchased online or through an agency.
Can I buy last-minute flights with cryptocurrency?
Yes! At Alternative Airlines, we're proud to partner up with popular crypto exchange platforms like Crypto.com and Coingate. This means we can provide you with over 100 cryptocurrencies at checkout that you can use to pay for your last-minute flights. Book last-minute flights with crypto today at Alternative Airlines!
What happens when an airline doesn't fill all of its seats?
Many airlines have flights that take off with at least 20% of an empty cabin, according to CitizenPlane. When airlines have empty seats, especially on last-minute flights, they try to fill the seats up with last-minute discounts. They can also try to tempt frequent flyers with upgrades to empty business or premium seats. If all else fails, the empty seats mean less revenue for the airline, but they still fly the route as planned.
Can I buy last-minute flights and pay later?
Yes! At Alternative Airlines, you can easily book last-minute flights to any destination of your choice and pay later using one of our many flexible Buy Now Pay Later plans. Some of the payment methods we offer include Afterpay, Klarna, Tabby, Tamara, Sezzle, Zip and many more. Spread the cost of your last-minute flights today with Alternative Airlines.