When do Ryanair and easyJet release their flights
In a nutshell
Booking flights with low-cost airlines soon after they are released allows you to jump on fares when they are, most of the time, at their lowest. Knowing when these releases happen is therefore very important for savvy travellers.
EasyJet’s latest batch of flights, covering summer 2026, was released on 22 July. We expect the next release, which will cover flights for autumn 2026, to happen around mid-October 2025
Ryanair’s releases are less predictable. But we expect the next one, for April-October 2026 flights, to come in November.
Scroll down for more details and tips for securing the best prices.
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EasyJet: when is the next batch of flights released?
Since 22 July, you can book easyJet flights for travel between 15 June and 13 September 2026. That covers the school summer holidays, including late August bank holiday returns, which are notoriously pricey.
The summer release included millions of seats across Europe, with more than half of them linked to UK airports. So whether you’re eyeing up Portugal, the Canaries or just a quick city break, you have plenty of options.
What about other seasonal drops?
EasyJet works on a fairly consistent schedule when it comes to seat releases. Here’s a rough guide based on previous years:
Spring flights (March to early June) are usually released in October
Summer flights (mid-June to mid-September) drop in July
Autumn and early winter routes (late September to December) often go live in October
Winter sun and ski season (January to March) tends to arrive in December or January
Of course, these dates can shift slightly each year, so it’s worth signing up for easyJet’s email alerts or checking their flight release page regularly, or signing up for the Family Holiday Deals newsletter for great deals on flights, holidays, hotels and more.
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When is Ryanair releasing its flights?
Unlike easyJet, Ryanair doesn’t always give much notice when it adds new flights, but there are patterns worth knowing.
There’s no confirmed summer 2026 release yet, but based on previous years, we can expect Ryanair’s next big batch of flights to arrive sometime in late autumn, probably November or early December.
What’s the usual pattern?
Ryanair typically releases flights six to nine months in advance, although this can vary by route. Here's what typically happens:
Summer flights (April to October) usually drop between November and January
Winter and spring (November to March) get added in late spring or early summer, depending on demand
Also worth noting: Ryanair doesn’t always do a big national launch. Instead, it quietly adds routes and updates airports individually. Some routes for summer 2026 have already been on sale since April, while others still show limited availability.
How can I track the next drop?
Your best bet is to sign up for Ryanair's email alerts, follow them on social media and keep an eye on specific routes. If you're flying from a regional airport, those tend to appear later than major hubs like Stansted or Manchester.
Why it pays off to book flights on release day
There was a time when last-minute flights could be a bargain. That’s no longer how the system works.
These days, airlines start with a set number of low fares when flights are first released. As seats sell, prices go up – sometimes within hours. So if you’re after a particular route or travelling during school holidays, booking early is usually your best shot at getting a good price.
Ryanair and easyJet both use yield management systems, which adjust prices based on demand. While there’s no absolute guarantee that launch-day fares will be the cheapest, they’re often among the cheapest, especially for peak dates like Easter, half-term or the first week of August.
So while the lowest fare isn’t promised, the odds are on your side if you act quickly.
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Dispelling the cheap fligh myths
There’s a lot of folklore around booking flights, but most of it doesn’t hold up.
“Book on a Tuesday” – not true
A common myth is that Tuesdays are when airlines drop prices. In reality, dynamic pricing has made this pretty much obsolete. Airlines adjust fares in real-time based on supply and demand, not the day of the week.
Incognito browsing won’t save you
Going private in your browser won’t magically unlock lower prices. While it may stop ads following you around the internet, there's no reliable evidence that airlines raise prices just because you’ve looked at a flight a few times.
What else isn’t true?
Waiting for a “glitch fare” sounds exciting, but it's incredibly rare and usually requires a flexible schedule and a bit of luck. Likewise, switching currencies or booking at 2am might give you a tiny difference, but nothing worth staying up for.
Tips to find cheaper flights
We’re not here to tell families to travel off-season – we know that’s not realistic when school is in session. But there are ways to save, even during peak times.
Travel midweek if you can
Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday is often cheaper than at weekends. You’ll avoid the rush, and prices tend to be softer midweek, particularly on short-haul routes.
Look beyond the obvious destinations
Everyone wants to go to Majorca in August, which is why it’s expensive. But if you consider less mainstream destinations (like northern Spain instead of the south, or inland Portugal over the Algarve), you can often get better value.
Travel light or pack smart
Nowadays, the ticket price is rarely what costs the most; it’s the bags that really sting. We know that flying with just a rucksack is impossible when travelling with kids, but if you can limit how much you bring, you’ll save money.
Avoid the first and last week of the holidays
The first weekend in August and the last weekend in August are often the most expensive. Travelling just a few days on either side can save hundreds, especially for a family of four.
Book flights first, and accommodation later
It’s easier to find flexible places to stay than it is to find cheap flights for your exact dates. If you're open on where you go, let the cheapest flight decide your destination and work from there.
Compare prices
We recommend comparing prices across all airlines, not just Ryanair and easyJet, using metasearch engines like Skyscanner or Trip.com. Make sure to consider the price of luggage before making a purchase decision.
