Last-Minute Flights
Looking to purchase a last-minute flight? With Alternative Airlines, it’s never too late to reach your destination. Choose from 600+ airlines and 40+ payment methods. Travel how and when you want.
Last-Minute Flights
Where from?
Where to?
Dates
Passengers & Class
1 Adult, Economy/Coach
What are last-minute flights?
Last-minute flights are usually purchased within a week of the departure date. They can even be flights booked the day before travel and, sometimes, the day of.
Airlines understand that there are situations out of a person's control where they need to get a flight at the very last minute. This isn't an uncommon occurrence. You'll even find that sometimes tickets are cheaper on the days leading up to the flight than they would have been if booked months in advance.
Availability and ticket pricing vary depending on location and popularity.
Everything you need to know about last-minute flights
Whether it’s an emergency or you're someone with flexible travel goals, last-minute flights are always a viable option. They can even be cheaper than flights booked in advance due to airlines offering discounts to fill their planes.
However, there is such a thing as too last-minute. Flights cannot be booked hours or minutes before departure, as check-in will have already closed. So bear in mind that some time and planning may still be needed.
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
Alternative Airline’s user-friendly search form allows you to find your perfect flights. Just scroll to the top of the page, where you will see our search bar. Then, enter the dates of your intended travel.
How to Buy Last-Minute Flights
Pick your last-minute flight
You’ll be able to see all available last-minute flights for the dates and destinations you’ve selected. On the left of our page, you will find our filter selection. If you want to be more specific about the time of travel, scroll down and adjust the time filter.
How to Buy Last-Minute Flights
Confirm your booking
Fill out the details of each passenger and add any baggage/seats if necessary. Next, select your preferred payment method, including options to pay later.
Once your payment’s been finalised, we’ll email you your tickets, and you’ll be all set for your trip. It’s really that simple!
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Popular Last-Minute Flight Destinations
Not sure where to go? Here's a list of some of the top tourist destinations that often have last-minute flights available.
Last-Minute Flights to Las Vegas
If you're interested in the glitz and glam of a getaway to Las Vegas, we recommend arriving at McCarran International Airport (LAS), just a few miles off the Strip. Here are some airlines that can get you those last-minute flights:
Last-Minute Flights to New York
The City that Never Sleeps has many airport options, including LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark International Airport (EWR). Here are some airlines to get you there:
Last-Minute Flights to London
London's main international airports are Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW). However, you can also arrive via Luton (LTN), Stansted (STN) or London City Airport (LCY). These are the best airlines for last-minute flights to the UK's capital.
- British Airways
- EasyJet
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
Last-Minute Flight Tips
Here are some things to think about before you book your last-minute flight.
Flexible Destinations
Consider being open-minded about your destination. Flexibility can present exciting new opportunities for a low price. Instead of spending more getting to Hawaii, why not visit the beautiful island of Madeira?
Night Flights
Afternoon/evening flights tend to be cheaper than morning flights as they're usually less busy. If you're travelling for business purposes, we recommend looking at red-eye flights. These flights depart late at night and arrive early in the morning so you won't miss a working day.
Domestic Flights
If you're travelling to experience something new, consider a domestic flight. Different parts of your country will offer unique experiences, landmarks and even ecosystems. Flights to the same country are often less busy than international ones, and many airports won't require you to be there as early, making them an excellent option for a last-minute flight.
See the marvels of what your country has to offer and experience something new whilst feeling at home.
Last-minute travel with the family?
If you want to book a last-minute flight with your family, read our guide, linked here. Family flights can involve additional planning, but they don't have to be a difficult experience. We've listed some advice, from handling long-haul flights with children to splitting payments between adult members.
Ready to book your last-minute flight?
Go to our search form to find affordable last-minute flights. Book today and be abroad tomorrow.
Last-Minute Flights FAQs
Are last-minute flights cheaper?
Last-minute flights can offer cheap seats because airlines want to fill empty spaces. Although, it's important to remember this isn't always the case. Popular destinations tend to be more affordable if booked early.
Why are last-minute flights so expensive?
Last-minute flights aren't always expensive. However, airlines may raise the prices of their tickets to profit from user desperation.
Additionally, last-minute flights are commonly purchased by business travellers, who generally can spend more on airfare than those flying for leisure.
How to get cheap last-minute flights
Although not all airlines will offer it, many will have tickets available at a cheaper cost to fill up seats. If you’re unsure where to travel, why not consider a less popular location? This way, there will be a higher chance of seats being available. Airlines lose revenue when their planes aren’t full, so they want you to buy tickets.
To see the prices of available flights, navigate to the search bar at the top of the page, choose your destination, and then filter the search order to the cheapest, giving you a quick view of our most affordable flights.
If possible, you might want to book your flights on a specific day. Check out our blog on the cheapest days to book flights.
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.
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 harder 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.
Where to buy last-minute flights?
You can buy last-minute flights here at Alternative Airlines. Follow our step-by-step guide mentioned above. If you need further support, our lovely customer service team is always here to help.
Can I buy last-minute flights at the airport?
Yes. However, this will likely cost you more. If you aim to buy your tickets at the airport, be prepared to pay a higher amount and risk long wait times. 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're typically purchased at the very last moment while in the airport. However, they aren't something Alternative Airlines offers. For more information about this, visit our page, which provides further details on standby tickets.
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?
When airlines have empty seats, they try to fill them with last-minute discounts. They can also 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. So watch out for cheaper tickets, as it's in the airline's best interest!
Can I buy last-minute flights and pay later?
Yes! At Alternative Airlines, you can easily book last-minute flights to your chosen destination 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.