This is the best time to travel to avoid flight cancellations

Expedia has revealed the best time to travel to avoid flight cancellations in its 2025 Air Hacks report.

Nothing takes the shine off your holiday faster than a cancelled flight. Feelings of excitement and anticipation quickly evaporate when faced with the task of rearranging your plans last minute to cater to a new departure date or time.

But global travel company Expedia, in collaboration with Airlines Reporting Corporation and the OAG, has stepped in to help. In its recently released 2025 Air Hacks report, which covers a multitude of air travel hacks, it revealed the best times and days to travel to avoid cancellations altogether.

Airport display board showing cancelled flights — Expedia reveals your best bet at avoiding flight cancellations. (Image: Anya Berkut)

So, when should you travel to avoid flight cancellations?

The numbers are in and flight cancellations are at their lowest in February and March, with an average of just 2.5 per cent of flights cancelled. In comparison to January, which sees cancellation rates of 9.4 per cent, these two months are extremely reliable for air travel.

What’s more, the data indicates that flights departing in the late evening, specifically between 9 pm and 3 am, are the least likely to be cancelled. Flights booked between 3 pm and 9 pm have a 43 per cent higher chance of being called off compared to those leaving later in the night.

Stock image of traveller at an airport — February and March are the best months to book.

If you’re also concerned about costs, it’s good to factor in the time of year you’re looking at travelling. January is the cheapest month for economy class; if you’re looking for premium tickets, opt for October. Surprisingly, Saturday has been revealed as the cheapest day of the week to fly, with travellers saving up to 27 per cent compared to Monday departures.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

What other hacks did the report reveal?

When it comes to pain points for airline travellers, cancelled flights aren’t the only problem to solve. Thankfully the data reveals several hacks to save you time and money and help you avoid other airport stresses while also hinting at hot travel destinations to consider visiting in 2025 before they peak in popularity.

Stock image of a plane window — Expedia’s report also hints at 2025’s hottest travel trends.

How to save money

Can the day you book make a difference to the cost? The findings say yes! Booking airfares on a Sunday can save you up to 20 per cent. Depart on a Thursday and you could be looking at up to 8 per cent in savings. That money could be better spent in destination.

Booking domestic flights at least six months in advance will save you up to 36 per cent. Securing your ticket two months in advance for an international flight can save you up to 12 per cent. In fact, the further in advance you book, the more expensive it can be. A three-month pre-departure window is ideal for securing the best price for overseas travel.

Stock image of a plane on the runway — Use the three-month pre-departure window when booking international flights.

Expedia also recommends price tracking on its app, which analyses data to show users the best time to book and notifies you when flight prices change. Bundling is another way to save – booking holiday packages (which often include flights, accommodation, car rentals and/or activities) can save you hundreds.

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How to save time

Whether you’re going it solo, jetting off with friends or travelling with family, airports can be stress-inducing places. And while there’s not much you can do about customs lines and security checks, Expedia recommends travelling on a Sunday when airports are generally at their least busy. It will save you time as you won’t have crowds to contend with.

Stock images of a man and his child waiting at the airport — Sundays are when most airports are at their quietest.

Trends to look out for

The report names Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra as the hottest places to travel domestically this year. Combine Sydney’s incredible beaches with Adelaide’s foodie scene and Canberra’s never-ending list of things to do and you’ve got the ultimate Aussie itinerary.

When it comes to international destinations, Bali in Indonesia, Thailand’s capital of Bangkok and Los Angeles, USA, are the most popular places among Aussie jet setters. And thanks to new direct flight routes, Expedia predicts Istanbul (non-stop from Sydney with Turkish Airlines) and Fiji (non-stop from Cairns with Fiji Airways) will increase in popularity in the year ahead.

Coogee Beach in Sydney, NSW — Sydney is known for its beautiful beaches. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges boast some of Victoria’s most stunning natural scenery, making them a prime destination for outdoor experiences.

There’s something very special about the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. A mix of rugged bush, mist-laden rainforest, gardens bursting with vivid blooms and a network of rivers and waterfalls, the landscapes here are layered and diverse. Late summer is a particularly good time to visit, when the days are long and the region’s outdoor offerings are ripe for sun-soaked adventures.

The best part? Despite being only an easy one-hour drive from Melbourne, the area feels a world away from the hustle. You’ll be greeted by a slower pace with fewer travellers and more room to move – allowing you to truly switch off and take it all in.

From rail trails to rainforest walks, this is where you’ll find nature at its most rewarding.

1. Warburton

Biking around Warburton is one best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. — Hit the trails at Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Perched at the top of the Yarra River, surrounded by pristine national park, the town of Warburton is a haven for nature lovers. It’s known for its towering redwoods, found in the Californian Redwood Forest just 15 minutes out of town. You’ll be in utter awe of these giant trees, some of which reach heights of up to 55 metres.

The Warburton Rail Trail is another way to experience the town’s natural beauty. This flat, 40-kilometre route goes all the way to Lilydale and is ideal for a stroll or cycle past native bushland, wineries, farmland and parts of the Yarra.

If you want to up the pace a little, head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, which encompasses 160 kilometres of purpose-built tracks amid wild bush terrain. For something a little more laid-back, the Rainforest Gallery is a standout spot for a wander. The gallery features statuesque Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech trees, moss-covered logs and tree ferns, and a 40-metre elevated walkway that brings you right into the centre of the forest canopy.

2. Yarra Glen

Yarra Glen is a beloved food and drink destination, but it offers far more than excellent produce and top-notch wines.

A highlight is Alowyn Gardens, which stretches over seven acres. Inside, you’ll find nine different gardens with vivid floral and seasonal displays, plus a nursery featuring exotic plant species. The Wisteria Arbour is a crowd favourite, a curved walkway connecting the different gardens with a display of cascading lilac blooms.

Intersecting with the Warburton Rail Trail, the first stage of the Yarra Valley Trail runs from the gateway town of Lilydale to Yering Station. A more manageable track of just 7.5 kilometres, it takes you through rolling farmland and pockets of native bush, with ample opportunities for wildlife-spotting.

If you’re travelling with kids, McKenzie Reserve is a non-negotiable stop. The reserve encompasses a skate park, plenty of open grass to stretch little legs, and a nature-inspired adventure playground to suit every age and every energy level.

3. Healesville

One of the best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is seeing a Koala upclose. — Get up close and connect with koalas. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Healesville is the region’s best place to meet local wildlife. It’s home to Healesville Sanctuary, where you can get up close to kangaroos, koalas, emus, dingoes, reptiles and more. Beyond giving you front-row access to these gorgeous creatures, you’ll appreciate the scenic charm of the tracks and trails that meander through the wildlife park.

To see even more birdlife, head over to Badger Weir for a picnic. Situated among soaring Mountain Ash trees and tranquil waterways, the area supports several bird species, including crimson rosellas, Australian king parrots and the elusive lyrebird. Barbecue facilities are available, and several tracks leading to Badger Weir are pram-friendly.

Fernshaw Picnic Area, located in the Yarra Ranges National Park, is another idyllic setting for picnicking and short walks, also encircled by Mountain Ash trees. Compared to Badger Weir, though, Fernshaw provides a slightly more secluded experience, making it ideal for quieter outings.

4. Olinda

Cloudehill Gardens is a beautifully curated, year-round garden destination featuring nine terraced gardens filled with seasonal blooms and lush plant varieties. — Wander through terraces of ever-changing blooms. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Sitting more than 600 metres above sea level, the Dandenong Ranges have an enchanted feel and are shrouded in lush rainforest filled with tree ferns, mossy trunks and lingering mist.

The town of Olinda is one of the finest places to experience this unique environment in all its verdant glory. At the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, rhododendrons reign and drape the gardens in a riot of colour every spring.

The nearby Cloudehill Gardens are well worth visiting any time of year. In each of the garden’s nine terraces, you’ll find an array of plant varieties that bloom and transform across the seasons, including weeping Japanese maples that have been growing here for nearly a century.

Besides being a haven for arbory enthusiasts, the nearby RJ Hamer Arboretum is a spectacular spot to enjoy panoramic views. Here, more than 150 tree species grow and overlook the neighbouring Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range.

5. Emerald

A lady eating with the view of Emerald Lake Park. — Enjoy a lakeside picnic at Emerald Lake Park. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Set just behind the Dandenong Ranges, the foothills town of Emerald has a slightly more open feel, featuring rolling hills and open bushland. The town sits on the edge of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with a patchwork of forested reserves and accessible bush trails on the Emerald side.

You can also take to the water at nearby Aura Vale Lake, which is popular for sailing, canoeing, fishing for eel and perch, and picnicking on the grassy banks.

The stand-out, though, is Emerald Lake Park, a sprawling green with multiple recreation zones. Across 52 hectares, there are walking tracks, playgrounds, paddleboats, a model railway, fishing sites and a family-friendly wading pool that comes to life every summer. The park also lies adjacent to the iconic Puffing Billy, making it a perfect stop if you’re travelling on the historic steam train.

Start planning your next adventure at visityarravalley.com.au

The data is in. Here’s when to travel to avoid flight cancellations

Expedia has revealed the best time to travel to avoid flight cancellations in its 2025 Air Hacks report.

So, when should you travel to avoid flight cancellations?