Flight prices feel unpredictable.
One day it’s ₹48,000.
The next day it’s ₹61,000.
Then suddenly it drops again.
So instead of guessing, I decided to run a simple experiment:
👉 I tracked Mumbai to London return flight prices every day for 30 days using Skyscanner.
Here’s exactly what happened — and what you should learn before booking your UK trip.
Experiment Setup
Route: Mumbai (BOM) → London (LHR)
Travel Month: September
Trip Duration: 10 days
Tracking Period: 30 consecutive days
Platform Used: Skyscanner
Filters Used: Economy, 1 adult, under 1 stop, layover under 3.5 hours
Every day, I checked the lowest available return fare at the same time (8 PM IST).
What I Observed After 30 Days
📉 Lowest Price Observed:
₹46,850
📈 Highest Price Observed:
₹63,400
💰 Price Difference:
₹16,550
Yes — the exact same trip fluctuated by over ₹16K within one month.
Week-by-Week Breakdown
Week 1: High & Volatile
Prices ranged between ₹58K–₹63K.
Most flights were direct or 1-stop via Middle East hubs.
Week 2: Sudden Drop
Prices dropped to ₹49K–₹52K range.
This was the first major dip.
Week 3: Stable Zone
Flights hovered between ₹48K–₹51K.
This turned out to be the best booking window.
Week 4: Price Spike Again
Prices jumped back above ₹60K as travel dates got closer.
Key Pattern I Noticed
1️⃣ Prices dropped around 9–11 weeks before departure.
2️⃣ Prices spiked sharply inside 6 weeks.
3️⃣ Weekend searches showed slightly higher fares.
4️⃣ Tuesday–Thursday departures were consistently cheaper.
Direct vs 1-Stop Price Difference
Direct Flights:
₹60K–₹63K average
1-Stop Flights (Short Layover):
₹47K–₹52K average
Average savings by accepting a short layover:
👉 ₹10,000–₹13,000
Layovers under 2.5 hours did not significantly increase total travel fatigue.
The Best Booking Window (Based on This Test)
For Mumbai → London (September travel):
👉 8–11 weeks before departure gave the lowest prices.
Booking too early (4–5 months out) did NOT give the best fare.
Booking too late (under 6 weeks) was the most expensive.
The Most Surprising Insight
The biggest price drop happened mid-week.
When I checked on:
- Tuesday and Wednesday evenings
Prices were consistently lower compared to:
- Friday and Sunday checks
This doesn’t mean Tuesday is magically cheaper —
but mid-week searches seemed to show more fare inventory.
What This Means for You
If you’re flying from Mumbai to London:
✔ Start tracking 3 months before travel
✔ Set price alerts immediately
✔ Don’t panic book too early
✔ Avoid booking inside 6 weeks
✔ Consider short layovers
The difference can literally pay for:
- Your UK visa
- 2–3 hotel nights
- Travel insurance
When This Strategy May Not Work
This pattern may differ if:
- You’re traveling in peak summer (June–August)
- You’re booking around Christmas or New Year
- There’s a major UK event
- Fuel prices spike globally
Flight pricing is dynamic — but patterns repeat.
Final Verdict From This 30-Day Test
Flight prices are not random.
They move based on:
- Demand curves
- Inventory release windows
- Booking behavior
- Route competition
Tracking for 30 days showed me one thing clearly:
The cheapest fare rarely appears on the first search.
Patience saved up to ₹16,550.
