February 18, 2026, AUCKLAND – Today, Expedia^® released its 2026 Air Hacks Report, revealing Friday has become the most affordable day to fly, driven by reduced business travel at the end of the week, and February was the most affordable month to travel.

Now in its tenth year, the Expedia Air Hacks Report draws on millions of Expedia data points and new consumer research to highlight how changing traveller behaviours, are reshaping when Kiwis choose to take to the skies.

“Timing can play a big part in airfare savings,” said Haley Purdon, Director of Expedia New Zealand. “With business travellers heading home earlier in the week, leisure travellers can unlock better value by choosing smarter travel days, like Friday, with the added bonus of starting their holiday a little earlier to stretch the weekend.”

Key Air Hacks for 2026 include:

• When to fly for savings:
  • Depart on a Friday to save up to 13% compared to flying on a Sunday.
  • February is the cheapest month to fly, with savings of up to 64% (around $630) compared to December.
• When to fly to avoid crowds:
  • Sunday is the quietest travel day; Friday is the busiest.
  • Avoid the morning rush: more than 57% of domestic departures and 47% of international departures are in the morning.
  • February is the least hectic month to travel; September is the busiest.
  • Quietest travel dates: End of February, Mid-March
  • Busiest travel dates: Good Friday and Boxing Day
• When to book:
  • The most affordable booking window is four to six weeks before departure for economy flights. Compared to six months out:
    • Domestic flyers can save an average of $115.
    • International flyers can save an average of $275. Early planners can still save around $105 booking three months out.
  • Book on a Monday and travellers can save up to 12% compared to booking on a Saturday.
  • Book in October and travellers can save up to 8% compared to booking in March.

Kiwi traveller in-flight habits:

• Dodging dollars: Almost half (46%) would wear extra layers to dodge extra baggage fees (57% Gen Z / 56% Millennials vs 12% Boomers).
  • No extra baggage: Carry-on is king as 37% fly without checked bags.
  • Pet peeves: Seat kicking is the nation’s top in-flight pet peeve (40%), above people reclining their seats too far (31%), crying babies (27%), and people invading their seat space (25%).
  • Seat-swappers: One in three (36%) have asked a stranger or flight attendant to swap seats, with almost half (45%) doing so to sit with family and friends.

Bank more savings with Expedia’s Annual Holiday Sale.

• Thinking about your big spring or summer trip? Members can save up to 40% off select stays during Expedia’s Annual Holiday Sale. Book by 16 March 2026, for stays between 18 February and 30 September 2026.

Check our Expedia’s latest Air Hacks HERE 

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APPENDIX

2026 Air Hacks Additional Insights

KIWI IN-FLIGHT HABITS

• 37% of Kiwi travellers now fly carry‑on only, and 29% plan long stopovers to explore another city. Additionally, 46% would wear extra layers to dodge extra baggage fees (57% Gen Z / 56% Millennials vs 12% Boomers).
• Top oddities seen by Kiwi travellers on a flight include bringing smelly food (18%), seeing a couple going to the toilet together (13%) and nail-cutting (13%),
• 40% of Kiwi travellers said that having their seat kicked is the ultimate pet peeve, above people reclining their seats too far (31%), crying babies (27%), and people invading their seat space (25%).
• Nearly half (47%) opt for a window seat, followed by aisle seats (26%), then exit row seat (12%).
• Over a third (36%) of Kiwi travellers have asked a stranger or flight attendant to swap seats. Among those seat-swappers, the leading reason was to sit with family or friends (45%), but 26% admit they did it in the hopes of snagging a window seat.

TOP DESTINATIONS

• Top 10 most popular destinations Kiwis fly to:

Domestic: Auckland Christchurch Wellington Queenstown Otago Waikato Manawatu Hawkes Bay Bay of Plenty Southland

International: Sydney, Australia Melbourne, Australia Brisbane, Australia Manila, Philippines Nadi, Fiji Tokyo, Japan London, UK Bali, Indonesia Bangkok, Thailand Singapore

• Top 10 trending destinations Kiwis fly to:

Domestic: Hamilton +20% Rotorua +5% Bay of Plenty +5% Southland +5%

International: Nha Trang, Vietnam +285% Hiroshima, Japan +185% Phu Quoc, Vietnam +120% Ontario, Canada +105% Hyogo, Japan +90% Warsaw, Poland +65% Sunshine Coast, Australia +60% Washington, USA +60% Mauritius +50% Singapore +30%

AIRPORT AND FLIGHT ROUTE TRENDS

• Airports that are trending upwards in terms of volume of flights are:
  • Nelson +40%
  • Dunedin +36%
  • Christchurch +34%
  • Auckland +27%
  • Queenstown +27%
    
• Saver routes

Domestic flights under $250 on average Wellington to Blenheim $85 Auckland to Wellington $120 Christchurch to Auckland $141 Nelson to Wellington $153 Dunedin to Auckland $233

International flights under $1,000 on average Auckland to Maroochydore, Australia $370 Christchurch to Gold Coast, Australia $355 Auckland to Nuku’alofa, Tonga $640 Wellington to Nadi, Fiji $880 Auckland to Port Vila, Vanuatu $983

Data disclaimers:

All average ticket pricing data are based on bookings made on Expedia.co.nz from December 2024 – November 2025, with any comparison metrics compared to December 2023 – November 2024

Most popular and trending destinations based on searches made on Expedia.com.au from December 2024 – November 2025, compared to searches made December 2023 – November 2024

Third-party research was conducted by market research partner OnePoll in accordance with the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct. The study was conducted online among 7,000 adult respondents across seven countries, who are planning domestic or international travel in the next 12 months.

Expedia’s Annual Holiday Sale ends 16 March 2026, property local time, and is subject to limited availability. Blackout periods may apply. Terms apply.

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FAQ

Q: How far in advance should I book domestic flights?

A: The most affordable time to book a domestic economy flight is 31-45 days before departure. Domestic travellers booking within this window can save an average of around $115 compared to booking six months in advance.

Q: How far in advance should I book international flights?

A: The best time to book an international economy flight is also 31–45 days before departure. Kiwis who book in this period save about $275 compared to booking six months earlier.

Q: What are the cheapest days to fly in 2026?

A: Friday is the cheapest day to fly in 2026.

Q: What international destinations are trending for 2026?

A: The top trending destinations Kiwis are looking to fly to in 2026 are: Nha Trang, Vietnam (+285%), Hiroshima, Japan (+185%), Phu Quoc, Vietnam (+120%), Ontario, Canada (+105%), Hyogo, Japan (+90%).

Q: What day of the week is best for booking flights?

A: The cheapest day to book is a Monday. 

Q: Which international routes are currently under $1,000?

A: As of 2026, Kiwis can find international fares under $1,000 on the following routes Christchurch to Gold Coast, Australia, Wellington to Nadi, Fiji, Auckland to Port Vila, Vanuatu.