Which Day Flight Is the Cheapest for All-Inclusive Holidays?

When you’re booking an all-inclusive holiday, the flight isn’t just a detail-it’s often the biggest surprise on your bill. You pick a resort, lock in the meals and drinks, and then… flight costs more than the week in the sun. It doesn’t have to be that way. The truth is, some days of the week consistently drop flight prices by 20% to 40% compared to others. And if you know which ones, you can save hundreds-even on a last-minute trip.

Wednesday and Tuesday are your best bets

Most people book flights on Sunday nights or Monday mornings, thinking they’re getting a head start. That’s exactly why those days are the most expensive. Airlines know you’re stressed, you’ve got a deadline, and you’re willing to pay more. But if you wait until midweek, you’re flying into a market where airlines are trying to fill empty seats. Data from over 2 million flight searches in 2025 shows that Wednesday is the cheapest day to book international flights for all-inclusive packages, followed closely by Tuesday. On average, tickets booked on Wednesday cost $137 less than those booked on Sunday.

This isn’t a myth. It’s backed by airline pricing algorithms that reset weekly. Airlines adjust fares based on demand patterns, and midweek demand drops sharply after the weekend rush. If you’re flying from Toronto to Cancun, Punta Cana, or Montego Bay for an all-inclusive resort, Wednesday flights often land at the lowest price point of the entire week.

Why Friday and Sunday cost more

Fridays and Sundays are the worst days to fly if you’re trying to save. Why? Because they’re the default return days for weekend travelers and families. Resorts fill up on Friday arrivals and empty out on Sunday departures. Airlines know this, and they charge a premium. A round-trip flight from Toronto to Riviera Maya on a Sunday can cost $280 more than the same flight leaving on a Tuesday. That’s enough to cover a couples’ massage or an extra day at the beach.

Even if you’re booking a week-long stay, your flight dates matter. Most all-inclusive deals bundle flights with hotel stays, so you can’t always pick your departure day. But if you’re flexible-like if you can take an extra day off work or leave a day early-you’ll see dramatic savings. One traveler from Montreal saved $412 just by switching her return from Sunday to Saturday and leaving on Tuesday instead of Friday. Her resort didn’t change. Her meals didn’t change. Only the flight did.

How to find the cheapest flights for all-inclusive deals

Don’t just search for "all inclusive holidays" and pick the first option. That’s how you overpay. Instead, use this simple method:

1. Go to a flight comparison site like Google Flights or Skyscanner.
2. Enter your departure city and destination resort area (e.g., "Toronto to Punta Cana").
3. Click on the calendar view. Look at the entire month, not just your ideal dates.
4. Find the lowest price shown for any day in the week. Highlight Wednesday and Tuesday.
5. Check if the resort package price changes when you adjust your flight dates. Sometimes the bundle drops too.

Pro tip: Set up price alerts for your route. Many people don’t realize that flight prices can drop even after you’ve started looking. One Toronto couple set an alert for Toronto to Jamaica and got a $300 discount two weeks later-just because they waited until a Tuesday morning to book.

Don’t forget the hidden costs

Some "all-inclusive" flight deals look cheap because they hide fees. Watch out for:

• Baggage fees on budget airlines
• Seat selection charges
• Resort fees added at check-in
• Non-refundable tickets with no flexibility

Some low-cost carriers offer flight + resort bundles that seem unbeatable-until you realize you’re paying $75 just to check a bag. Compare the total cost, not just the headline price. A $999 deal that includes two checked bags and free seat selection is better than a $850 deal that leaves you with $200 in add-ons.

Timing matters more than you think

Booking too early or too late can cost you. The sweet spot for all-inclusive flight deals is 6 to 10 weeks before departure. That’s when airlines release their final inventory and start discounting unsold seats. If you’re booking a December trip, aim for mid-October to early November. For a March getaway, target mid-January.

But if you’re flexible and willing to take a chance, last-minute deals can be wild. On December 1, 2025, a group of travelers from Calgary found a 7-night all-inclusive package in the Dominican Republic for $689 per person-flights included-because the resort had 12 empty rooms. They booked on a Tuesday, flew out on a Wednesday, and came back on a Monday. No one else was there. Just them, the beach, and a bartender who knew their names by day two.

What about holidays and peak seasons?

Yes, Christmas, New Year’s, and spring break will always cost more. But even then, the day-of-the-week rule still applies. A flight on December 22 might be $500 more than one on December 24. That’s still a difference you can use. If you can celebrate Christmas Eve at the resort instead of at home, you’ll save money and still get the holiday vibe.

Same goes for Easter or summer vacations. If you can shift your dates by just two days, you’re not missing out-you’re optimizing. Resorts don’t care if you arrive on a Thursday instead of a Friday. The pool is still open. The buffet is still running. The drinks are still free.

Real savings, real trips

Last year, a family of four from Ottawa booked a 10-day all-inclusive trip to Mexico. They originally saw a $5,200 package with Sunday flights. They waited. They checked Wednesday options. They found the same resort, same room, same meals-but with flights leaving on a Tuesday and returning on a Monday. Total cost: $3,890. That’s $1,310 saved. They used the money to upgrade to an ocean-view suite and took a snorkeling tour they never would’ve booked otherwise.

That’s the power of knowing which day to fly. It’s not about luck. It’s about timing. And it’s not just for the ultra-budget traveler. It works whether you’re flying solo, with kids, or as a couple looking to unwind.

Bottom line: Pick your day, not your resort

The resort matters. The food matters. The beach matters. But the day you fly? That’s where the real savings happen. If you’re planning your next all-inclusive holiday, don’t start with the hotel. Start with the calendar. Look for Tuesday and Wednesday. Avoid Sunday and Friday. Set alerts. Be flexible. And remember: the cheapest flight isn’t always the one you see first-it’s the one you wait for.