Last-minute flights
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How to Get Last-Minute Flights
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Passengers & Class
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.
Booking last-minute flights isn't as uncommon as you may think. Situations can occur at any time, meaning you need to fly quickly.
Fun Fact: Tickets are sometimes cheaper on the days leading up to a flight than they would have been if booked months in advance. Read on to find out more💫
How to get cheap last-minute flights?
Travel to a less-popular destination 🌎
If you're booking last-minute flights for a spontaneous trip away, then consider travelling to an uncommon tourist spot. Airlines will often lower the cost of their tickets if a significant amount of seats haven't been booked, as it's more beneficial for them to sell cheap tickets than to fly with an empty seat.
Choose an ultra-low-cost airline ✈️
Ultra-low-cost airlines give you the bare necessities when flying. You'll get your seat, but you won't get much else. You'll only be allowed a limited amount of baggage, there won't be any in-flight entertainment, and food won't be complimentary. By sacrificing these amenties, you'll be able to fly for a fraction of the price of a standard carrier. Some ultra-low-cost airlines available at Alternative Airlines include Frontier, Ryanair and AirAsia.
Select a Buy Now Pay Later 💸
While the ticket total of your flights will remain the same, a Buy Now Pay Later makes flights more affordable in the moment. Spread the cost of your last-minute flights over weeks, months or even a year. Continue paying in instalments that best suit your budget needs even after departure. Many payment plans are entirely interest-free! Alternative Airlines is partnered with 20+ Buy Now Pay Later lenders. Some of our most popular include Klarna, Affirm and Afterpay.
More last-minute flight tips
Night Flights 🌠
Evening/night flights tend to be cheaper than morning/day flights as they're usually less busy. If you're travelling for business, 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 ecosystems. Flights to the same country are often less busy than international ones, and less demand means cheaper tickets. Many airports won't require you to be there as early for a domestic flight, making them an excellent option for a speedy, last-minute trip.
Last-minute travel with the family? 💫
Family flights can involve additional planning, but it doesn't have to be a difficult experience. Check out our family flights page after this one, where we've listed some advice, from handling long-haul flights with children to splitting payments between adult members.
How to buy last-minute flights
Search for flights
Scroll to the Alternative Airlines search bar at the top of the page. Then, type your planned destination and travel dates.
How to buy last-minute flights
Pick your last-minute flight
You'll see all the available last-minute flights for your selected dates and destinations. On the left of the page, you can personalise your flight search further by filtering specific airlines or travel times.
How to buy last-minute flights
Confirm your booking
Once you've filled out your passenger details and any additional items you may want, like baggage insurance, you'll be taken to checkout. Select your preferred payment method, including upfront transactions, Buy Now Pay Later and Crypto.
Once your payment's been finalised, we'll immediately email you your tickets, and you'll be all set for that hasty last-minute trip. It's really that quick and simple!
Last-Minute flights to popular destinations
Book last-minute flights to popular destinations with Alternative Airlines. Bear in mind that popular locations will likely have steep prices the closer it is to departure.
Last-Minute Flights to Las Vegas 🎲
If you're interested in the glitz and glam of a getaway to Las Vegas, then you can book a last-minute flight one day and find yourself in Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) the next. Just a few miles off the Strip, you'll immediately be in the entertainment capital of the world.
Airlines that can get you those last-minute flights: United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines ✈️
Last-Minute Flights to New York 🌃
Bored and in need of a spontaneous adventure? Then, book a last-minute flight to New York. The city that never sleeps always has something to keep you entertained. Arrive at either LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark International Airport (EWR).
Airlines to get you to New York: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue and Norwegian ✈️
Last-Minute Flights to London 💂
London is a great entry point into the UK. Visit iconic sites like the London Eye and Buckingham Palace. If you want to explore more of the UK, a domestic flight or car journey can get you to the Scottish countryside or a Devon beach in no time. London's main airports are Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW). However, you can also arrive via Luton (LTN), Stansted (STN) or London City Airport (LCY).
The best airlines for last-minute flights to the UK's capital: British Airways, EasyJet, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines ✈️
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Go to our search form to find cheap 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. However, this only really applies to uncommon destinations. Popular locations with high demand are often much more expensive the nearer it is to departure.
Why are last-minute flights so expensive?
There are two main reasons for this:
- Locations with high demand always have people eager to book tickets. Airlines know this and are able to charge more the closer it is to departure, knowing that people will still book tickets.
- Last-minute flights are commonly purchased by business travellers, who generally can spend more on airfare than those flying for leisure.
Can I 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. We always have deals and discounts available, so make sure to check our page regularly!
When to book last-minute flights?
You can book last-minute flights on any of the days leading up to departure. However, it's worth noting that the longer you leave it, the harder it'll be to find a last-minute flight that suits your travel and budget needs.
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 expert customer service team is always here to help.
We're a trusted online booking service, and all transactions are secured and encrypted.
Still unsure about using Alternative Airlines? Check out our reviews. We're a 4.9-star company on Trustpilot! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Where to book last-minute weekend trips?
At Alternative Airlines, you can easily book last-minute weekend flights. Travel how and when you want on one of the 600+ airlines we ticket.
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?
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. With us, you can only book last-minute flights online.
What happens when an airline doesn't fill all of its seats?
When airlines have lots of 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 cheap, last-minute 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 Tabby, Tamara, Scalapay, Sezzle, Zip and more.
Spread the cost of your last-minute flights today with Alternative Airlines!
Can I buy last-minute flights with cryptocurrency?
Yes! At Alternative Airlines, we're proud to offer popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and more.
Book last-minute flights with crypto today at Alternative Airlines!