The Black Friday (November 28, 2025) and Cyber Monday sales are the best time of year to book flights. It’s when airlines panic about filling seats for next year, and prices drop. Black Friday flight deals 2025
But it’s also a lot of noise. You see “£29 FLIGHTS!” banners everywhere, but when you search for your dates, the price is £170.
This is a simple game plan to cut through that noise and get a real deal.
First: When Do the Black Friday flight deals 2025 Sales Actually Start?
The most common question we get is: “When should I look?”
The deals don’t just start on Black Friday. Most airlines launch their sales early.
- The “Early Sale” Week: Starts around Monday, November 24th. This is when airlines like easyJet and Ryanair often launch their first wave of deals.
- Black Friday: Friday, November 28th. This is when major carriers like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic might add new offers or “flash sales” for a few hours.
- Cyber Monday & Travel Tuesday: December 1st-3rd. Don’t stop looking. Sometimes, the best deals on long-haul flights or package holidays appear on these days.
Your plan should be to start looking on Monday, November 24th, and keep checking every morning.
Your 4-Step Black Friday Action Plan
1. Know Where to Look (And Who Has Deals)
Don’t just search one airline. Based on past years, here is who to watch in the UK:
- For Europe City Breaks: Keep your eyes glued to Ryanair and easyJet. They go big on £20-£30 one-way fares for travel between January and March.
- For Package Holidays: Jet2 and TUI will offer big discount codes, like “£100 off per person.” This is great for booking your Summer 2026 family holiday in advance.
- For Long-Haul & USA: British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will run sales. They often discount package deals (flight + hotel) to places like New York or Dubai more than just the flight itself.
- For “Winter Sun” Destinations: We expect the biggest percentage savings (20%+) to be for flights to places like Tenerife, Marrakech, and Istanbul.
2. Be Flexible with Your Destination
This is the most important rule. If you are 100% fixed on “Paris from 10am-12pm on Feb 14th,” you will not get a deal.
Instead, go into the sale with a “Wishlist.” Pick 3-4 places you’d be happy to visit. This lets you pounce on the best deal that appears, rather than waiting for a specific deal that may never come.
3. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
The second rule. The £29 ticket is real, but it’s almost always for a Tuesday or Wednesday in January or February.
The airlines are trying to fill their quietest flights. If you can travel mid-week in “shoulder months” (like Jan, Feb, Mar, May), you will win. If you are only searching for Saturday-Sunday trips in August, you will be disappointed.
4. Prepare Your Search Now
Don’t wait until the sale starts. Go on Sthgilf (or any search tool) today and do your “dream” searches. See what the “normal” price is.
- Why? You need to know if a deal is actually a deal. A flight to Rome in February is often £50. If an airline advertises a “BLACK FRIDAY £49 DEAL!”, you know it’s just marketing. But if you see it drop to £25, you know it’s real.
The Sthgilf Trick: Beyond the Search Results
The big search engines are great, but they are just price-checkers. They don’t tell you how to use the information.
Here’s the step they miss: Read the fine print before you get excited.
A “£25 flight” can become a “£90 flight” very fast. The big search sites show you that £25 price, but they don’t always factor in the extras.
- The Ryanair Trap: That £25 deal only includes a small bag that fits under your seat. A proper carry-on bag or a checked bag will cost you £30-£50 each way.
- The BA “Basic” Fare: British Airways often has “Basic” fares that look cheap but don’t include a checked bag or even seat selection.
The Sthgilf strategy is to always compare the final price. Sometimes, a £60 easyJet flight that includes a carry-on bag is a better deal than the £35 Ryanair flight that doesn’t.
Black Friday flight deals 2025 (FAQ)
Are Black Friday flight deals really cheaper?
Yes, but for specific routes and dates. Airlines use it to sell seats on less popular flights (like mid-week in February). You won’t find 50% off a peak summer holiday, but you can find genuine £20-£30 one-way tickets for winter/spring city breaks.
What are the best days to book travel for?
Based on past sales, the cheapest travel dates are almost always from early January to the end of March 2026. You might also find good deals for May 2026.
Do I need a discount code?
For low-cost airlines like Ryanair and easyJet, the sale price is usually shown automatically. For bigger airlines like British Airways or package sites like Jet2, you will often need to apply a promo code at checkout (like BLACKFRIDAY100).
Should I book a flight and hotel together?
On Black Friday, often yes. BA, Virgin, and Jet2 put their biggest savings into flight + hotel packages. It’s always worth comparing the cost of booking them separately versus as a bundle during the sale.