Discover top tips to snag unbeatable flight deals this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Ready to score a deal? Save big with these smart booking strategies.
As Black Friday (28 November) and Cyber Monday (1 December) draw near, shoppers are gearing up for more than just holiday bargains. While many take advantage of discounts on Christmas gifts and everyday essentials, savvy travellers are also eyeing Black Friday and Cyber Monday flight deals — the perfect chance to lock in affordable trips for the year ahead.
This is where Skyscanner comes in. We have the tools to check for outstanding travel deals, including finding the best Black Friday flights, accommodation options and car hire. Whether you want to take advantage of Cyber Monday and Black Friday sales or just want more travel choices, Skyscanner can help.
Are there flight sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday in Australia?
Although Black Friday has been a cornerstone shopping holiday in the United States since the 1950s, it’s only in the past 10 to 15 years that Australia has embraced it on a large scale. Today, it has overtaken Boxing Day as the country’s biggest shopping event. Major airlines now join in too, rolling out a wide range of Black Friday and Cyber Monday airfare deals.
Skyscanner serves as your one-stop shop this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Compare prices from all major airlines and providers effortlessly to find a great deal on your next adventure. Below are some destinations that have seen big growth in popularity during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as compared to the rest of the year.
Trending countries for Cyber Week
Trending cities for Cyber Week
Destination Inspiration
Wondering where to go? These are some of the most-searched destinations for Black Friday and Cyber Monday flights deals.
Bali, Indonesia
From emerald rice terraces to spectacular beaches to tranquil temples, discover why this island is known as the Island of the Gods.
Sydney, NSW
Splash out on the shore of Bondi Beach, catch a wave in Manly, or embrace the city life in Sydney’s vibrant CBD.
Melbourne, VIC
Take your pick of intriguing art galleries, interesting museums, hip cafes and events.
Auckland, New Zealand
Explore the North Island from the City of Sails. From botanic gardens to cool harbour bars to lush trails, there’s plenty of adventures to be had.
London, United Kingdom
Live it up in London! This culture capital offers plenty of architectural wonders, interesting events, pretty parks, and cold drinks at the pub.
Tokyo, Japan
Ultra-modern marvels meet ancient temples in Tokyo. Get to know Japan’s quirky and charming capital city.
Top Trending Destinations
Black Friday period flight deals can deliver big savings, though discounts vary by route. We’ve analysed the data to highlight the top trending destinations from last year’s Black Friday period, where flight searches surged compared with the rest of 2024.
Top trending countries during the Black Friday period
Country | Search increase % | Cheapest day |
|---|---|---|
34% | Black Friday Weekend | |
33% | Cyber Monday | |
30% | Black Friday Weekend | |
30% | Black Friday Weekend | |
22% | Travel Tuesday |
*Based on 2024 Skyscanner data
Top trending cities during the Black Friday period
Country | Search increase % | Cheapest day |
|---|---|---|
47% | Black Friday Weekend | |
33% | Travel Tuesday | |
28% | Black Friday Weekend | |
24% | Cyber Monday | |
24% | Travel Tuesday |
*Based on 2024 Skyscanner data
What is the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
As retail holidays, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are joined at the hip, both occurring around the weekend just after U.S. Thanksgiving. Black Friday is the much older of the two, giving retailers across the country a chance to offer discounts to consumers lulled into a holiday mood by the festivities of Thanksgiving.
For its part, Cyber Monday is the online version of Black Friday. The term was coined by the National Retail Federation in 2005 when it noticed that people would continue shopping online at work on the Monday after Black Friday, still on the search for bargains. An increasing number of shoppers dismayed by the huge shopping crowds of Black Friday use Cyber Monday as a less-stressful, more convenient way to get deals on purchases, including flights and holiday packages.
And to keep the deals going, the day after Cyber Monday has been dedicated as Travel Tuesday—where hotels, flights, activities and car hire deals are released just for travellers.
Dive into the world of travel bargains this Black Friday and Cyber Monday; start your flight search on Skyscanner now to discover the best deals to kickstart your next adventure.
How to find genuine flight deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday
We’ll likely see many Black Friday & Cyber Monday travel deals this year, but wise consumers will do some research to ensure that the bargains are really bargains and that there aren’t better to be found elsewhere.
Skyscanner can help you find flight deals without the fuss for economical travel throughout the year.
Research peak travel times
Not surprisingly, flights and hotel prices increase substantially during peak travel times. Depending on where you are going, this peak period could be during the summer or winter school holidays, or during festive holidays. If you have flexibility in your travel plans, save money and enjoy your destination with fewer crowds by travelling during the shoulder or low season.
Subscribe to airline newsletters
Sign up for airline newsletters to learn about holiday and flight deals. They often publish deals in advance of the officially announced Black Friday and Cyber Monday flight sale. This provides a chance to take advantage of a popular sale early. It’s also a good idea to subscribe to the Skyscanner newsletter for insider deals and offers, travel tips and advice, and travel news.
Check the previous year’s Black Friday Deals and Cyber Monday deals
If you want to get a jump on Black Friday and Cyber Monday flight deals, it’s worth looking at the previous year’s cheap flights to see what might be offered this season. If an airline, for example, offered a bonus such as free access to its VIP lounge, there’s a chance they might do it again this year.
Stay ahead of the curve with price alerts
Whether on your phone with our app or on your computer, you can use Skyscanner Price Alerts to get updates on the cost for any route you want to fly, whether during Black Friday or any other time of the year. When you find a price you like, booking your flight is easy.
Take the ease of tracking flight prices to the next level; download the Skyscanner app now and never miss out on a great deal.
Check inclusions
Each airline will have its own set of inclusions for different travel classes, including economy and business class. The exclusions and inclusions can make a big difference in the quality and cost of your experience.
For example, check your luggage allowance to avoid paying excess baggage penalties. If you are willing to pay a little more, you might get perks like extra legroom or seat selection.
Read the fine print
Pay close attention to the terms and conditions of Black Friday or Cyber Monday flight deals, including the change and cancellation policies.
If, for example, you think you may have to cancel or change your plans because of personal or business reasons, then you should make sure you can do this without penalty. If you just want the best deal possible for a destination, it might be worth having a cheaper flight with more restrictions.
If a flight delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault, what are your rights as far as compensation, including food and accommodation, if needed?
Use the ‘Whole Month’ feature
A great strategy to save money when travelling is to be flexible with your dates. Select the ‘Whole Month’ option on Skyscanner to view the cheapest fares on your chosen route within that month.
This feature is useful to spot the most affordable days to fly, especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Whether you are looking at a specific month or are flexible with your travel dates, the ‘Whole Month’ feature helps you to easily identify and take advantage of lower fares.
Explore nearby airports
Another way to save money may be to fly into another airport close to your destination (as opposed to landing in your final destination). Skyscanner allows you to compare prices for nearby airports to ensure you get the best Cyber Week flight deal possible.
For example, if you go to from Sydney to London, you can save as much as $100 by flying into Gatwick Airport instead of Heathrow. Since Heathrow is closer to central London than Gatwick, consider the time and cost of getting into the city.
Look for multi-city deals
If you want to visit multiple destinations during a single trip, you can use Skyscanner’s multi-city flight tool, helping to save money and making planning easier.
You can use the multi-city flight tool to book Black Friday air tickets on a single itinerary to the Scandinavian cities of Oslo, Bergen, Copenhagen, and Stockholm, which could be much cheaper than booking a series of one-way flights for the cities.
Join frequent flyer programs
It makes sense to join a frequent flyer program, where you’ll accumulate miles and points that can be used to upgrade flights, book free flights, get travel-related gifts and more. Other possible benefits often include streamlined check-ins, access to flight lounges, amenities like free flight bags and drinks, and so on. Some airlines and hotels offer loyalty members better rates and discounts than non-members during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Maximise your travel benefits by joining a frequent flyer program, and pair those perks with the best Black Friday cheap flights found on Skyscanner.
Avoid these common mistakes when booking your flights during Cyber Week
One way to ruin a great getaway during Cyber Week is to make one (or more) of these common mistakes.
Not verifying baggage allowance
Don’t save $100 on a flight with no baggage allowance only to pay $150 at check-in. Know how large and how heavy your check-in and carry-on baggage can be to avoid paying extra at the airport.
Not finding the hidden fees
Sometimes, the true cost of a travel deal isn’t apparent until you’re on the plane. Some airlines charge hidden fees for seat selection, meals, legroom, or bag restrictions. Some airlines require you to print your boarding pass at home. Check Black Friday and Cyber Monday airfare deals thoroughly to avoid sticker shock.
Booking non-refundable airline tickets
Sometimes, non-refundable flight tickets offer like the best bargain during Cyber Week. These are great deals if your travel plans are set in stone. With refundable and flexible tickets, you might pay a bit more, but you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you are covered if your travel plans need to be altered or cancelled.
Not comparing one-way vs. return fares
Often return tickets offer the best, most convenient travel options. But there are times when buying one-way fares makes more sense. Compare the cost of two one-way flights with a return fare to ensure you’re getting the best Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal.
It can also make financial sense to buy two one-way tickets on points. You might not save money in this case, but you could have more flexibility in changing travel dates for one of the legs.
Rush booking
Taking the first good travel bargain you see on Black Friday is a mistake. Using the tips above, take the time to research flight and hotel prices, making sure you get the Black Friday or Cyber Monday travel deal that best suits your needs. Hurrying the process can come with increased costs.
Ignoring the stopover duration
When looking at travel itineraries, make sure you make a note of stopovers and their durations. The more stops you have, the longer your trip will be. You may decide that the money savings make these worth it, but if your stopover is too long, you could spend your savings on food and accommodation.
Beyond discounted airfare: Find hotel deals on Skyscanner
We make it easy to get great hotel deals at the last minute. You can check hotel deals on your travel dates and location, or leave your travel dates open and look for the best hotel deals on different dates, away from high-demand times.
Other questions include: do you want a cheaper all-inclusive resort, or are you looking for a hotel chain with a loyalty program, perhaps giving you discounts, free nights, early check-ins, and discounts on food and beverages?
Whatever flight or accommodation aspects of travel you are looking for, Skyscanner’s online travel experts provide comprehensive solutions. Find your ideal stay at a value price; search hotels on Skyscanner to discover unbeatable deals tailored to your preferences.
Top travel hacks for even more deals
Real deal hunters don’t wing it. They train for this. Here’s how to sharpen your booking game before Cyber Weekend kicks off:
Hack 1: Set the Alerts
Price Alerts track fares for you and let you know the moment prices drop. Smart, simple, essential.
Hack 2: Explore Everywhere
Not fixed on a destination? Explore Everywhere shows our best-value trips from your airport in seconds.
Hack 3: Spot the Real Drops
Use the Drops feature in our app to see all prices from your airport that have dropped 20% or more that day.
Hack 4: Play the Date Game
Flex your travel dates by a day or two and watch hidden deals appear. Small shift, big difference.
Hack 5: Filter Fast
Before you dive into endless results, use filters to cut the clutter. Less scrolling, more booking.
