Unsold seats released: how to buy with up to 70% discount
When a flight isn't full, airlines lower the price of the remaining seats. See where these seats are available and how to buy them before they're gone.
Why are there unsold seats?
A plane takes off at the same cost whether it's full or half-full. Fuel, crew, and airport fees don't change because of an empty seat. Therefore, when the departure date approaches and occupancy is low, the airline prefers to sell the seat cheaply rather than let it fly empty.
This movement is automatic: pricing systems follow demand and release lower fares on routes that aren't selling well. The discount usually doesn't last long, because as soon as some seats are sold, the price goes back up.
Those who understand this logic stop making impulse purchases and start tracking the segments that interest them. That's what separates those who pay the full fare from those who travel for half the price.
Skyscanner
It compares dozens of companies and agencies simultaneously and shows when the price of a flight segment drops. It's free and works on your mobile phone.
Why it's worth it:
- It shows the price of all companies on a single screen
- Does it have a calendar showing the cheapest day of the month?
- Sends notifications when the value drops
Where can I find these rates?
The remaining seats aren't in a special section of the airline's website. They appear as a lower fare among the others, which is why those comparing multiple flights at the same time see them first.
Flight comparison websites do exactly that: they gather options from various companies and sort them by lowest price. With the flexible date calendar, you can see in seconds which day of the week or month has the lowest fare.
How to search using your mobile phone, step by step
The tutorial below uses the Skyscanner app, which is free. The screenshots show exactly where to tap.
Please specify the origin and destination
Open the app, tap Flights, and enter your departure location. If you haven't decided where to go yet, choose Anywhere: the app will list the cheapest destinations from your city.
See the cheapest day on the calendar
When you select a date, the calendar shows the price for each day. The lowest prices are usually for flights with available seats.
Use the entire month if you have flexibility
In Flexible Dates, select the entire month. The app will indicate the cheapest month to fly, which helps you find the biggest price drops.
Sort by lowest price
Enter the passenger type and class (start with economy) and sort the results by Cheapest. Also check the total duration: sometimes paying a little more gets you a much shorter flight.
Activate the price alert
Tap the bell to receive a notification when the fare drops. This is how you can snag seats that become available at the last minute.
When the discount usually appears
There's no magic day, but some patterns repeat themselves. Flights midweek, outside of school holidays, and at less busy times tend to have more available seats. Routes with many airlines operating also often experience price wars.
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays usually have lower rates
- Very early or late night flights are less crowded
- The off-season sees the biggest price drops
- Routes with multiple competing airlines see price drops faster
Destinations that often appear with low prices
Destinations with a high number of flight options frequently include promotional offers. Within Brazil, capitals in the Northeast and South often appear on promotions outside of peak season. Abroad, South American cities like Buenos Aires and Santiago usually have competitive fares due to their short distances.
For those who can wait, the best strategy is to choose two or three possible destinations and set a price alert for all of them. The first one that drops becomes the trip.
Things to consider before finalizing your purchase
- Check if the fare includes checked baggage
- See the rescheduling and cancellation rules
- Add up the fees before comparing with another option
- Complete the purchase on the company's website or through a reputable agency
Frequently Asked Questions
Are unsold seats riskier?
No. It's the same flight and the same seat as whoever paid more. The only difference is at the time of purchase.
Do I need to pay to use the comparison tool?
No. The search and alerts are free. You only pay for the ticket, on the website where you decide to buy it.
Is it possible to find a discount on international flights?
Yes. The logic is the same, and on long routes the savings in reais (Brazilian currency) tend to be even greater.
See also
Learn how to find late-night deals ➝
LEARN HOW TO PAY LESS WITH CONNECTION ➝
Learn how to create an alert for Europe ➝
With the price comparison tool installed and the alert turned on, you no longer depend on luck and can start buying on the day the price drops.
