Are There Black Friday Flight Deals?

Yes! There are absolutely Black Friday flight deals and they can be some of the best travel bargains of the year if you know where and when to look. Airlines, booking platforms, and travel agents increasingly use Black Friday and Cyber Monday to launch limited-time sales that can cut prices by as much as 40%. 

In 2023, it was reported that average flight discounts during the Black Friday weekend reached 30% globally, and this year’s offers are shaping up to be just as exciting for travellers ready to move fast!

What Kind Of Flight Deals Happen On Black Friday?

Black Friday isn’t just for TVs and trainers anymore. Airlines have joined the rush, dropping flash sales, free upgrades and bundled offers that can make flying somewhere new suddenly affordable. You’ll often see long haul bargains on routes like London to New York, Dubai or Tokyo – the kind of places airlines love to compete on.

Budget carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet slash short haul prices to wild lows, while premium airlines like British Airways, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic run sleek time-limited promotions.

 Some of the best deals don’t even appear under a big “Black Friday” banner – airlines quietly load cheaper fares into the system, so prices dip for a few hours before vanishing again. Members of Secret Flight Club often spot these stealth drops first, since we track and share them before they hit the wider internet.

Do All Airlines Take Part in Black Friday?

No, not all airlines take part in Black Friday but the numbers do grow every year. The heavyweights like Emirates, KLM and Virgin Atlantic almost always join in, though what they offer can depend on your region. Smaller carriers might skip Black Friday and focus instead on post-Christmas or New Year sales.

Low cost airlines tend to go all-in, flooding inboxes with “£9.99 seat” emails to fill winter routes. Meanwhile, the long haul carriers often release a handful of premium cabin deals – think lie-flat seats to Asia for less than you’d expect. 

It’s also worth keeping an eye on booking sites like Skyscanner or Expedia, which sometimes combine flights with hotels for even deeper discounts. Still, the most consistently jaw-dropping finds tend to come from deal-hunting communities like Secret Flight Club, which pull together verified deals from multiple airlines the moment they appear.

When Should You Start Looking For Black Friday Flights?

The best time to start hunting is around mid-November. Many airlines tease early offers or run “pre-Black Friday” campaigns to get a head start on their competitors. Prices can change several times a day during this period, so setting up alerts (or letting a flight club do it for you) can make all the difference.

When Black Friday actually hits, speed is everything. The top deals can vanish in hours or sometimes even minutes. Cyber Monday is also worth watching, as that is when long haul and business class deals tend to surface. If you miss Friday, Monday might still deliver.

Are Black Friday Flight Deals Always Worth It?

Not always. Some “sales” are more smoke than fire as small reductions dressed up as massive bargains. Airlines know everyone’s ready to buy, so a flashy discount might just be a tweak on an already inflated fare.

A genuine deal is usually at least 20% below the average price for your route. Anything less and it is probably not worth rearranging your plans. Keep an eye on luggage policies and change fees too, as cheap fares often come with tighter restrictions.

Can You Find Deals For Any Destination?

Black Friday deals usually focus on high-demand or competitive routes – think the US, Asia and the Middle East. Short city breaks across Europe are also heavily featured, especially for off-peak travel.

If your dream trip is somewhere niche or remote, the odds of a big discount are smaller. Airlines tend to use Black Friday to shift seats on routes they want to fill quickly. 

That said, surprises do happen. For example in past years, we have seen Secret Flight Club members bag return flights to Japan and Cape Town for jaw-dropping prices! The trick is staying flexible and ready to book when lightning strikes.

What Are The Best Ways To Prepare For Black Friday Flight Deals?

1. Join mailing lists: Airlines and travel clubs often share early access links. Secret Flight Club members, for example, get first alerts the moment deals drop.
2. Set fare alerts: Use websites like Skyscanner or Google Flights, or rely on a club that does the tracking for you.
3. Be flexible: The more open you are with travel dates and destinations, the better your shot at a real bargain.
4. Know your number: Have a target price in mind so you know when to pull the trigger.
5. Move fast: The best deals disappear almost as soon as they appear. Hesitate and someone else will snag it.

Final Thoughts

Black Friday flight deals are real and they can be seriously good if you know where to look and act fast. While not every “sale” is worth it, the right offer can turn a bucket-list trip into an affordable reality. Preparation and flexibility make all the difference.

If you want to skip the stress and go straight to the good stuff, join Secret Flight Club. Members get insider alerts on hidden flight deals year-round, with the mistaken fares, flash discounts and quiet price drops that most people never see. Black Friday might only last a weekend, but with Secret Flight Club, cheap flights are always in season!