For many, the thrill of summer travel is often overshadowed by the anxiety of booking flights. The fear of missing out on the perfect deal or being stuck with exorbitant prices can turn the planning process into a stressful ordeal. However, this year, the tables have turned in favor of the procrastinators. If you're still contemplating whether to press the "purchase" button for your summer vacation, fear not. This summer is shaping up to be a unique opportunity for those who prefer to plan at the eleventh hour.

Travel experts are buzzing with good news for those who have yet to secure their summer airfare, particularly for popular European destinations and beyond. Contrary to the usual trend of skyrocketing prices during peak travel season, this year is presenting a surprising twist: lower prices and increased award availability. The reasons behind this unexpected turn of events are multifaceted. A slowdown in global travel, coupled with ongoing economic uncertainty, has led to a situation where airlines are offering more competitive fares than usual. For procrastinators, this summer might just be the perfect time to find that elusive last-minute travel deal.

Katy Nastro, a travel expert with the airfare tracking site Going, explains that while booking flights is rarely an exact science, there is typically a "Goldilocks" window for securing the best deals during peak travel times like summer. Traditionally, it's recommended to book domestic airfare at least three to seven months in advance for peak-season travel. For international flights, the experts at Going suggest booking four to ten months ahead. However, this summer has "sort of flipped itself on its head," according to Nastro. Even for close-in travel dates, both domestic and international, there are still plenty of summer airfare deals available for those booking just one to three months out.

This shift is particularly notable for non-peak travel periods, where the Goldilocks window is usually one to three months in advance for domestic fares and two to eight months for international flights. Nastro emphasizes that this summer is truly unique, dubbing it "the golden summer of cheap flights." Typically, by this time of year, finding round-trip flights to Europe from major US cities for under $400 would be nearly impossible. Yet, this year, such deals are still within reach. Nastro cited a remarkable deal spotted on May 28: mid-July round-trip airfare from New York to Dublin for just $392 on Aer Lingus. Similarly, select July and August dates offered round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Paris for $579 on French Bee.

The domestic travel scene is also brimming with opportunities. On May 29, Going identified several notable deals, including round-trip flights from Miami to Las Vegas in August for $175, Cincinnati to Charleston for $78 (with availability from June to August), and New York City to Nashville for $127 (available in July and August). This abundance of deals extends beyond domestic destinations. Nastro highlights that there is still "abundance and availability" for flights to Europe, as well as Canada, Mexico, and Latin American destinations like Brazil and Peru.

Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium supports this trend. Bookings from major US cities to major European cities made between the end of January and mid-May are down by about 10% for travel this June, July, and August. Bookings in the opposite direction, from Europe to the US, are down by 12%. This drop in international arrivals into the US appears to be having a more significant impact on European carriers than US carriers. Nastro suggests focusing on airlines such as Aer Lingus, SAS, Lufthansa, Norse Atlantic Airways, and Icelandair for the best deals. While US carriers like Delta and United still offer competitive options, the majority of the best deals are emerging from European airlines.

For those seeking the best deals to Europe this summer, flexibility is key, according to Hayley Berg, lead economist at the travel platform Hopper. Airfare to Europe from major US hubs this summer is comparable to what it was during the summer of 2019, which was one of the cheapest summers in recent memory for travel to Europe, thanks to low fuel prices, increased competition, and the entry of new lower-cost airlines. Hopper's 2025 International Travel Guide reports that airfare from the US to Europe is averaging $817 per ticket this summer, down 10% from last summer's prices. Despite more international flights scheduled to depart from US airports to global destinations this summer compared to 2024, the deals are still abundant.

Berg advises travelers to stay flexible about their destinations and travel dates to maximize savings. This means traveling on weekdays and adopting a deal-seeking approach. "Where I most frequently see low prices are Dublin, Stockholm, Copenhagen. And then ... depending on when in the summer you go, the trifecta of London, Paris, and Rome," Berg says. "Just because there’s so much volume that flies into those (three) destinations, you are likely to find a deal if you do your homework." When it comes to the best travel dates for cheaper fares to Europe, the last two weeks of August are the sweet spot for savings. "The average airfare is $300 cheaper if you travel in the last two weeks of August versus the peak in June and July," she explains. As an added bonus, travelers can also expect fewer crowds, cheaper accommodations, and shorter lines at major European attractions like the Vatican during this period.

Domestic airfare within the US is also down about 3% for bookings this summer compared to last summer, particularly for flights to major US city hubs like New York City, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles. However, travelers who shop around and aren't locked into specific dates can find significantly more savings. "If you use some of our advice around being flexible, you can shave a couple hundred dollars off of a domestic trip for a family of four, or even a couple," Berg says.

The savings extend beyond airfare. Jack Ezon, founder of EMBARK Beyond travel agency, points to Greece as a prime example of a destination offering relative summer bargains. "Mykonos, Santorini, there’s opportunity on the mainland, pretty much everywhere. We’re seeing guaranteed room upgrades and lots of great programs at hotels trying to promote it," he says. This summer's unique travel landscape means that destinations across Europe are eager to attract visitors, leading to increased incentives and better deals for travelers.

While the temptation to wait and see if prices drop further might be strong, Nastro warns that procrastinating too long into June is unlikely to pay off. People who have been hesitant to book due to uncertainties surrounding travel and the markets are likely to start making plans sooner rather than later. As a result, airfares are expected to rise. "I don’t want people to get in the thinking that, ‘Oh, I could just book something for July 4th at the end of June, and I should be safe,’” she says. "Our age-old wisdom, and just knowing what we know about airfare, that’s not going to be the case — even in this unique summer that we are in."

For frequent travelers and credit card holders with a stash of loyalty points and miles, this summer presents an excellent opportunity to leverage their rewards. Tiffany Funk, co-founder of the award flight search tool point.me, explains that award seats are essentially distressed inventory. "For the most part, these are seats that airlines have acknowledged they’re probably not going to sell. Those are the ones that they really let their loyalty programs leverage," she says. While there isn't a glut of award seats available this summer, Funk notes that there are more options for redeeming awards compared to last summer. Being open to last-minute award options and flying in economy class can lead to significant savings. "For people who, like myself, have not put together their summer travel plans yet and are able to be opportunistic, that’s always a good way to use your points," she says.

Recent one-way economy class award airfares booked on point.me include New York to Paris in August on Virgin Atlantic for 9,600 miles plus $75 per person and Phoenix to London in August on American Airlines for 15,000 miles plus $6 per person. Funk highlights that points offer much more flexibility than cash when it comes to changes and cancellations, which can be particularly appealing in uncertain times. "So if you see something, book it. You can always change it later. For most of these programs, there’s not a fee to do that," she advises.

This summer is a procrastinator's paradise. The combination of lower airfares, increased award availability, and flexible travel options means that those who have yet to book their summer vacations can still find incredible deals. Whether you're planning a trip to Europe, exploring domestic destinations, or leveraging your loyalty points, the time to strike is now. As travel enthusiasts across the globe show their eagerness to embark on new adventures, the message is clear: great deals are out there for those who are willing to seize them. So, go ahead and press that "purchase" button — your dream summer vacation awaits.