If you’re planning a getaway from Victoria this year, new data from Expedia suggests one small change could make a noticeable difference to your wallet… fly on a Thursday.
According to Expedia’s newly released 2026 Air Hacks Report, Thursday has officially become the cheapest day of the week for Canadians to depart, with savings of up to 8% compared to flying on a Saturday.
The report, now in its tenth year, analyzed millions of data points from Expedia.ca bookings and highlights how shifting travel habits are changing when and how Canadians fly.
And there’s some good news locally, Victoria is one of the top trending domestic destinations in the country, with searches up 65% year-over-year.
While Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary remain among the most popular places Canadians fly to, Victoria is seeing one of the biggest jumps in interest.
Expedia’s data shows Victoria leading the list of trending domestic destinations, followed by Hamilton and Whistler.
That means more Canadians are looking west, whether for weekend escapes, food and wine trips, or to explore Vancouver Island’s coastline and small towns.
For Victorians, it could also mean busier summer skies at Victoria International Airport and more competition for deals during peak months.
The report outlines several key strategies for saving on flights:
- September is the most affordable month to travel overall, with flights 26% cheaper on average than December. That works out to roughly $160–$175 in savings per ticket
- Monday is the cheapest day to book flights, while Saturday is the most expensive
- Thursday is the cheapest day to fly overall, while Friday is the cheapest day to fly domestically. Tuesday is the least busy day at airports, with Friday the busiest
- For domestic economy flights, the sweet spot is 31 to 45 days before departure. Booking in that window can cost an average of $185 less than booking more than six months out
- International travellers can save about $190 on average by booking 15 to 30 days ahead instead of six months in advance
- One of the more surprising trends is the rise of what Expedia calls “extreme micro-cations.” Nearly a quarter of travellers say they’ve taken a round-trip flight within 24 hours. Popular day-trip destinations include New York, Chicago and Washington
- Expedia’s data also found that departure airport matters. Abbotsford, Kitchener and Hamilton rank as the most affordable Canadian airports to fly out of, while Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa are among the most expensive
- Several international routes are seeing significant year-over-year price drops, including Winnipeg to Raleigh, Halifax to Amsterdam and St. John’s to Dublin
Within it’s reprot, Expedia also announced a new Flight Deals tool in its app, designed to highlight flights that are at least 20% lower than typical predicted prices for a given route.
The tool includes an interactive map and custom alerts, allowing travellers to compare destinations and travel dates more easily.
With Victoria seeing a surge in interest and more Canadians rethinking how and when they travel, those “air hacks” could make the difference between paying peak prices and landing a deal.
For Islanders hoping to stretch their travel dollars in 2026, the message is simple: pick the right day, time it carefully, and don’t be afraid of a Thursday departure.
