Buying in advance can save you loads on airfare. Airlines clearly state that rates start to increase at 14 days before the departure date, so book your tickets at least three weeks in advance to get a better fare. Airlines also release deals and discounted fares up to three and a half months before the departure date, which means you can get an even better deal for buying extra early.
Weekends are heavy travel times for airlines, and they raise their fares accordingly. Buying on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday will help you get the best deals on international flights.
For domestic flights, you should always book on Tuesday. Airlines usually release weekly sales on domestic flights on Monday nights, which means they tend to appear in the system on Tuesday afternoon.