UAE families could save up to Dh2,088 on summer flights by choosing cheaper travel weeks
Late August offers strongest value across most popular holiday routes
DUBAI – UAE families could save nearly Dh2,000 on summer flights by choosing the right week to travel, according to the latest summer travel insights from Skyscanner.
The travel platform's analysis shows that airfare differences across the holiday season can result in substantial savings for those able to adjust their departure dates. The findings come as almost half of UAE travellers are yet to finalise their summer holiday plans, creating an opportunity for many to reduce travel costs before booking.
According to the report, the week commencing 31 August emerges as the cheapest week of the summer to fly overall. The finding challenges the assumptions of many travellers, with more than half, or 52 percent, believing that July offers the cheapest summer flights.
Almost half, or 47 percent, of UAE travellers say they have not yet booked their summer holidays and are still actively searching for the best options. For families managing fluctuating airfares, fixed school holidays and increasingly complex travel plans, comparing different departure dates could significantly reduce the overall cost of a trip.
Cheapest weeks
While travelling later in the season may not be possible for everyone, Skyscanner says its findings highlight the value of checking a broader range of travel dates before confirming bookings. Even shifting a trip by one or two weeks could unlock meaningful savings, particularly for families purchasing several tickets.
Among the destinations analysed, Cairo offers one of the biggest opportunities to save. Average return flights are priced at around Dh1,592 per traveller, compared with Dh1,105 during the cheapest week commencing 17 August. That represents a saving of approximately Dh487 per person, or Dh1,949 for a family of four.
Travellers heading to Tokyo could save even more by flying during the week commencing 31 August, when average return fares fall to Dh1,686, compared with the average summer fare of Dh2,209. This works out to a saving of around Dh522 per traveller, or Dh2,088 for a family of four.
The table showing the most popular summer destinations and potential flight savings appears here.
Route differences
The analysis also shows there is no single cheapest period that applies to every destination. Although the week commencing 31 August offers the best overall value across the summer, the lowest-priced travel week varies depending on the route.
For example, travellers flying to Cairo, Tokyo or Denpasar may find the best fares during different weeks in August. This makes destination-specific fare comparisons an important part of planning a summer holiday.
The findings could prove particularly valuable as UAE travellers estimate spending an average of Dh1,433 per person on flights for an overseas summer holiday. However, only 33 percent say they have flexibility around when they can take their summer break, while 27 percent report that school holidays or other commitments restrict their travel dates.
Planning challenges
The report also found that 17 percent of UAE travellers cite fixed travel dates and uncertainty around routes as key planning challenges. Skyscanner says that even small adjustments to travel timing can unlock meaningful savings, allowing travellers to make more informed booking decisions without changing their preferred destination.
Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner, said: “Summer travel planning has become increasingly complex, particularly for families balancing school calendars, budgets and changing flight prices. Our data shows that travellers do not necessarily need to compromise on their preferred destination to find better value. Checking a wider range of dates and comparing the cheapest weeks can uncover substantial savings, which can then be put towards accommodation, experiences or simply making the overall holiday more affordable.”
Booking advice
Skyscanner is encouraging travellers to compare live fares before booking, as ticket prices can change depending on demand and availability. The company also recommends remaining flexible where possible, checking fares regularly and comparing prices across an entire month to maximise savings.
With many UAE residents still planning their summer holidays, the latest data suggests that choosing the right week to travel could make a noticeable difference to the cost of a family getaway, particularly on some of the season's most popular international routes.