Flying this December? The cheapest days to book, and why 49 matters

Flying on a Tuesday or a Saturday, or on Christmas Day itself, gives you the best shot at a cheaper festive-season seat, according to FlySafair. Its booking data shows those days fill more slowly than the rest of the December and early January rush (The Citizen).

Which days are cheapest to fly this festive season?

FlySafair's chief marketing officer Kirby Gordon says Tuesdays and Saturdays are generally less popular travel days, so flights don't fill as fast (The Business of Money). Christmas Day usually sees a brief slowdown in travel, which can mean lower fares (The Citizen).

The busiest stretch runs from early December into the first weeks of January, with peaks when schools close and again around Christmas, and return flights stay full well into the new year (The Business of Money, The Citizen).

If your dates are flexible, the airline's advice is to fly in November or later in January instead, when demand drops (The Citizen).

How far ahead should you book?

About 49 days before departure, FlySafair says. That is typically when its lowest prices appear, with savings of up to 50% compared with buying on the day you fly. The airline calls this a guide, not a guarantee, because fares depend on the route, date and seats left (The Business of Money).

For most of December, the 49-day mark has already passed, so book as soon as you can. For January return trips there is still time.

Dates worked out by Reported from FlySafair's 49-day guide (The Business of Money).

How else can you cut the cost?

Source: The Business of Money.

Leisure travellers tend to book furthest ahead, especially for Zanzibar, Mauritius, Hoedspruit and George, while business routes between the big cities fill closer to departure (The Business of Money).

Why are fares higher this year?

Jet fuel. "The sustained increase in jet fuel costs has placed significant pressure on the cost of operating flights," Gordon told TopAuto. FlySafair adds a temporary fuel surcharge to each flight, which Reported broke down by route using the airline's surcharge page.

Events such as the Cape Town Sevens and the Rage festivals in Plettenberg Bay and Ballito are also expected to push up demand on popular holiday routes early in the season (The Citizen).