Asia Pacific is reopening to international tourism
Asia Pacific region is finally on the road to full recovery, welcoming back foreign travelers from around the world. Most countries in the region have fully reopened borders to all international short-term visitors — lifting travel restrictions and easing tourist visa requirements.
Flying to Asia Pacific from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Honolulu, Seattle
Fly from USA to destinations across Asia and the Pacific – from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent all the way to Southeast Asia and beyond to the islands on the Pacific Ocean.
Get insider tips and flight hacks from our team of experienced travelers. Save 40–80% with curated SuperDeals from major American airports: Los Angeles LAX (Los Angeles Intl Airport), San Francisco SFO (San Francisco Intl Airport), New York JFK (John F. Kennedy Intl Airport), Chicago ORD (O'Hare Intl Airport), Honolulu HNL (Daniel K. Inouye Intl Airport), Seattle SEA (Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport) – among others.
What is the best time to book flights to Asia Pacific?
The best time to book flights to Asia Pacific is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for Asia Pacific flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. During this period, you should monitor airfares by setting alerts on popular flight search websites. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices for Asia Pacific flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to Asia Pacific, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Set alerts
Track flight price fluctuations for your desired routes to Asia Pacific using email alerts on search sites like Google Flights to catch price drops. These drops will be your chance to book the flight at its best price.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to Asia Pacific less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up (learn more about last-minute pricing).
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays (including holidays in Asia), and check the best time to fly to Asia Pacific. If you must travel during peak times, book a bit earlier – 6 to 8 months in advance.
Join ATC
A useful way to find discounted airfare is to sign up for a deal newsletter such as Air Traveler Club. The ATC team is constantly looking for price drops on popular routes, and we share them with our members free of charge.
The cheapest time to fly to Southeast Asia
The cheapest time to fly to Southeast Asia from USA is during the low tourist season. Since not all regions share the same off-peak season, the precise period for the cheapest flights varies depending on the country. In Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines, it typically runs from June to October, while in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, it’s from October to March.
The low tourist season coincides with the region’s rainy (wet/monsoon) season. Due to lower demand and fewer crowds, you can take advantage of not only cheaper flights from USA but also competitive rates for hotels and tours. Additionally, you’ll enjoy a more peaceful experience with quieter streets, less-crowded beaches and tourist attractions.
While the wet season in Southeast Asia may not be ideal for some American travelers due to the rainy weather, the region’s location within the tropics (with southern areas close to the equator) ensures warm temperatures year-round. It is common to have daily rain, but it typically occurs in the afternoon and at night, making it predictable and easy to work around.
Why should you book an early morning flight to Asia
It is a seemingly simple but often overlooked strategy: fly at dawn for smoother travel and cheaper tickets. Booking an early morning flight from USA to Asia can pay off in numerous ways:
- Cheaper airfares. Early morning flights – between 4 am and 8 am – are usually cheaper than other day schedules. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early.
- Lower chance of delay. The thin traffic in the morning leads to fewer delays – all the flights from the night before have already landed, and there is no other air traffic to contend with. Air traffic and delays get worse throughout the day – starting around 8-10 am and reaching a peak at 4-6 pm. If you are flying from USA to Asia with a connecting flight, arriving on time at your layover airport may be critical to catching your next flight!
- Fewer crowds at the airport. By heading to the airport before rush hour, you can at least halve the time spent in city traffic. With fewer travelers at the airport, there will be no long lines at the check-in and security, and waiting areas will be less crowded. This applies to all major American airports, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Honolulu, Seattle.
Taking an early morning flight is the best way to avoid crowds at the airport - Less turbulence. Early morning flights offer a smoother ride, with less turbulence. Thunderstorms and unstable air, which can cause turbulence (including its worst kind – convective turbulence) are more likely to occur in the afternoon.
- Cleaner plane. On its first flight of the day, your aircraft will be as sanitary as possible. Airlines generally take extra care to thoroughly clean planes between flights, but boarding that morning flight gives you the greatest chance of a spotless plane.
Know your time zone
Asia Pacific is a vast region with time zones that span from UTC+4 in the west to UTC+12 in the east. Popular among American tourists Southeast Asia covers a much narrower range, from UTC+7 (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam) to UTC+9 (eastern Indonesia, including Papua and the Maluku Islands).
As you travel eastward, you will “gain” time, and as you travel westward, you will “lose” time. For example, if you fly from Dubai, UAE (UTC+4) to Sydney, Australia (UTC+11), you will gain 7 hours.
Some countries in Asia Pacific have multiple time zones due to their large size or because they span across different longitudes – Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands. Others offset their local time in increments of half-hour or even 45 minutes rather than a full hour – Australia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, French Polynesia, and Chatham Islands in New Zealand. Also, several countries observe Daylight Saving Time (also known as summer time) during certain parts of the year – Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands, Samoa, Norfolk Island, and Tonga.
Your phone (and e-watch) will most likely update the local time automatically when you cross time zones. However, it’s worth checking the current local time of your destination at the TimeAndDate website and taking it into account when planning your journey.
Visit the hottest destinations in the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania
From lush tropical islands to bustling cities – embark on an adventure! Explore a wide range of affordable flight options departing from various airports throughout USA. Visit these well-known APAC destinations that attract countless American travelers every year.
Last-minute flights to Asia from USA. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Asia from USA almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.
The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately or during convenient times such as American school holidays. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight from USA to Asia is around 60-90 days before the departure date.
Check different departure airports in USA
Looking for the best deals on flights from USA to Asia? Consider your neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger American cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, check prices for flights departing from Los Angeles LAX (Los Angeles Intl Airport), San Francisco SFO (San Francisco Intl Airport), New York JFK (John F. Kennedy Intl Airport), Chicago ORD (O'Hare Intl Airport), Honolulu HNL (Daniel K. Inouye Intl Airport), Seattle SEA (Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport). In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to your chosen destination in Asia will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be $500 less or more than your first choice. You may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but regional airlines like AA, United, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, and Southwest will happily take you there for $50 – $100.
Use this tactic if you depart from any region in the world. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.
Long waiting times when calling the helpline?
Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises during your trip from USA to Asia. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for American Airlines, Emirates, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and others).
When it comes to Twitter, there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline even faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue by including their Twitter handle (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@emirates”). The social media team will often notice the mention immediately, ask you for a direct message, and help resolve your issue on the private chat.
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Flights to Southeast Asia from USA
Flying to SE Asia from USA can be cheap if you know where to look. Check the best routes and top airlines, see which flights offer the best value and convenience.
Uncover SuperDeals to the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia from Los Angeles LAX (Los Angeles Intl Airport), San Francisco SFO (San Francisco Intl Airport), New York JFK (John F. Kennedy Intl Airport), Chicago ORD (O'Hare Intl Airport), Honolulu HNL (Daniel K. Inouye Intl Airport), Seattle SEA (Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport), and others.
“Hot seats” on long-haul flights to Asia
Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight from USA to Asia, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.
If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.
How much is Premium Economy to Asia Pacific?
Heading for a long-haul or overnight flight to Asia Pacific? The premium economy could be a worthwhile investment, ensuring you arrive rejuvenated.
Positioned between economy and business class, premium economy provides enhanced comfort (5–7 inches of extra legroom, wider seats with 2–3 extra inches recline, adjustable headrests and leg rests, larger personal TV screens) and extra perks (superior meals, larger baggage allowances, priority boarding, access to airport lounges). It’s a favored option for those seeking comfort without the cost of a full-fledged business-class ticket.
The majority of Asia Pacific carriers now feature premium economy class. According to Skytrax’s World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airlines Awards, the best premium economy is offered by Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, ANA, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, China Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.
However, the Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seats Award recognized Emirates as the top contender. Their premium economy class, currently available on A380 aircraft, exudes a business-class ambiance and occupies the front of the main deck of the superjumbo.
Premium economy class fares typically range from 25% to 100% more than standard economy tickets on the same flight. For instance, a round-trip economy ticket from the US to Asia Pacific might be priced around $700, whereas a premium economy ticket on the same route could be $1,000 to $1,500. In contrast, business class tickets for an identical itinerary may run between $3,000 and $5,000 or higher.
When booking closer to the departure date, premium economy is generally only 10–30% more expensive than standard economy fare. If premium seats aren’t filled, airlines might offer discounted upgrades at check-in.
To find the current prices of premium economy tickets to Asia Pacific, use our search form (choose “Premium Economy” in the cabin class drop-down menu).
Is the premium economy to Asia Pacific worth the extra cost? This decision hinges on individual priorities. For long-haul and overnight flights, the enhanced comfort can significantly improve the travel experience. If your journey consists of two or more connecting flights, opting for a premium seat on just one leg can still provide a superior journey compared to the standard economy throughout.
However, if the price gap for premium economy appears too steep, consider another viable alternative: hot seats.
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from your destination back to USA or to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
Among Asia Pacific countries that require proof of onward travel upon arrival are Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Thailand, Tonga, and Vietnam.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by booking you on an actual flight out of the country (for example, a flight back to USA) and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.
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How to book SuperDeals?
At the Air Traveler Club, our go-to solution for finding cheap airfares to Asia Pacific is Google Flights. Every time we send SuperDeals to our 110,000 members (see some examples), we include links to Google Flights so that each deal can be booked immediately.
Google Flights then showcases various options for booking the deal: you can almost always book directly with the airline (by cutting out the middleman) or – alternatively – with an OTA that offers the same flight at a similar price. Once you have chosen your booking option, you will be redirected to the external website where you can finalize your ticket purchase.
One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar that appears underneath the booking options. It provides a visual representation of the price in comparison to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline) – indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher.
If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”) don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly – 40% to 80% – cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.
If you are not Air Traveler Club subscriber yet, you’re missing out on SuperDeals (we often send deals to Asia Pacific). Sign up now to start saving 40–80% on flights. It’s free!
For more details on how to book deals on Google Flights, check out this video:
Fly Business Class to Asia for cheap
A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket from USA to Asia, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, an airline will send you an email with a link to their website where you can place a “blind” bid. Alternatively, you can go to the website directly and check if your seat qualifies for an upgrade by providing the Booking Reference number.
There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed via email, and your seat will be upgraded.
How to choose the right bid amount? Just check the airline website for the regular cost of a business class seat from USA to your chosen Asian destination, then subtract what you paid for the economy fare. Place your bid for around 10% to 30% of that price. The alternative strategy is to bid slightly above the competition. If, for example, the minimum bid is $500, try to bid $550-$600, as most people will offer the baseline amount required.
The more available business class seats the airline has on your flight, the lower bid can be successfully used. Check the airline’s daily schedule for flights from USA to your destination in Asia – if there is more than one flight on your chosen route (more available seats), you can safely bid close to the minimum required amount.
Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp), Cathay Pacific (Upgrade Bid), Etihad Airways (Bid To Upgrade), Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Hawaiian Airlines (Bid Up), LATAM (Cabin Upgrade), Lufthansa (Bid Upgrade), Royal Jordanian (Go Crown), Qantas (Bid Now), SAS (SAS Upgrade), Singapore Airlines (mySQupgrade), SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).
Booking group flights to Asia Pacific
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Asia Pacific can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.
Most airlines have a group booking form or phone number (see examples at Emirates and Qantas). Fill out the form, and the airline will come back to you with the proposed group rate. If your group is large and a scheduled flight cannot accommodate everyone, the airline may offer you a charter flight.
Additionally, there are various perks that your group may be eligible for:
- free seats (complimentary tickets for every 10 or 20 passengers that book together)
- free checked baggage allowance
- dedicated group check-in counter at the airport
- cabin crew who speak your group’s language
- flexible booking terms (that allow changes without fees)
Booking group flights to Asia Pacific is similar to booking individual flights. The main difference is that you’ll need to provide personal information for all passengers, and the airline may request additional details, such as meal preferences or accommodations for disabled travelers. A deposit – typically 10-50% of the total cost – may be required to secure the booking. However, some airlines offer deferred payment options where you can secure a reservation with a booking fee and pay the balance later.
If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Asia Pacific and can help with logistics and scheduling.