If you prefer empty flights, choosing a flight during off-peak seasons and non-holiday travel days could be your best bet to avoid a congested airplane. Avoid holidays and weekend travel since most casual travelers tend to choose this time to visit family and friends. Since companies do not increase airplanes in service or flight frequency between cities, chances are your plane will be at maximum capacity if you fly during peak seasons and holidays. Peak seasons include summer and winter vacation periods when students are out of school. Although fall and spring seasons are considered off-peak, avoiding spring break and Thanksgiving is important to ensure a less busy flight.
Casual travelers have the tendency to travel during convenient times during the day, such as afternoons and evenings. If you cannot avoid flying during peak season, increase your chances of finding an empty flight by booking the first flight of the day, as early as 6:00 a.m., and the last flight of the day, as late as midnight.
To further increase your chances of an empty flight, find a company that uses high capacity aircrafts. Airplanes come in all shapes and sizes. The larger size aircrafts can carry more passengers and can make your flight appear emptier. When booking by phone, ask the agent about the specific aircraft model that is scheduled to fly during your time. If you book online, the details should appear as to what aircraft will be in use. Common commercial high capacity aircrafts include the widely used Boeing 757 and the Airbus A300, both with the capability of carrying over two hundred passengers.
