Flying from Illinois to Europe can feel like a big adventure, but smart travelers know that picking the right day to fly makes all the difference. Midweek flights; especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, offer surprising benefits that weekend departures simply can’t match.
From saving money to enjoying quieter airports, there are plenty of reasons why more and more Illinois travelers are choosing to fly midweek.
1. Significantly Lower Airfare
Tuesday and Wednesday flights have historically been the least popular days for international travel. Airlines respond to this lower demand by dropping prices, sometimes dramatically.
Illinois travelers frequently report saving between 10% and 20% compared to weekend departures. That’s real money that can go toward better hotels, amazing meals, or extra experiences once you land in Europe.
Checking flight comparison tools on these specific days often reveals the best deals of the week.
2. Avoidance of the Business Traveler Surge
Business travelers dominate Monday outbound flights and return on Fridays or Sundays. These professionals typically book last-minute and companies pay premium rates, which drives up ticket costs for everyone on those days.
Flying midweek means you’re traveling when business demand drops off completely. Airlines lower fares to fill seats that would otherwise go empty.
This strategy neatly sidesteps the higher-paying crowd, ensuring you get better prices and a calmer travel environment overall.
3. Less Crowded Airports
O’Hare International Airport can feel overwhelming on busy travel days. Midweek departures, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays, are noticeably less congested.
Shorter lines at check-in, TSA security, and customs mean you spend less time standing around and more time relaxing before your flight. The entire pre-flight experience becomes smoother and far less stressful.
Parents traveling with kids especially appreciate the breathing room, and solo travelers enjoy not feeling rushed through every checkpoint.
4. Better Flight Load Factors
Fewer passengers on midweek flights mean planes are less likely to be packed to capacity. This increases your chances of scoring an empty seat next to you, which is golden on long transatlantic journeys.
Extra elbow room, space to stretch out, and the ability to spread your belongings make a huge difference in comfort. Some lucky travelers even manage to lie down across empty rows for a nap.
It’s a simple perk that can transform an exhausting flight into a surprisingly pleasant one.
5. Higher Chance of Upgrade Availability
With business travelers largely absent midweek, competition for premium seats drops significantly. Airlines often have open spots in premium economy, business class, or first class that need filling.
If you’ve been hoarding airline miles or considering a paid upgrade, midweek flights offer your best shot at success. Gate agents are also more willing to move passengers up when flights aren’t completely booked.
Even a small upgrade can make the long journey across the Atlantic feel far more luxurious and restful.
6. Optimal Arrival for Jet Lag
Departing midweek from Illinois means arriving in Europe on a Thursday or Friday morning. This timing gives you one or two full days to adjust to the new time zone before weekend activities kick in.
Jet lag becomes much more manageable when you’re not immediately thrown into sightseeing marathons. You can ease into your trip, take a leisurely walk, enjoy a slow meal, and let your body clock reset naturally.
By Saturday, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to make the most of your European adventure.
7. Fewer Delays and Cancellations
Early and midweek flights benefit from being at the beginning of the weekly travel cycle. Weekend travel chaos, with its cascading delays and cancellations, hasn’t had time to build up yet.
Airlines and airports operate more smoothly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays because there’s less pressure on the system. Weather delays from previous days have been resolved, and crews are well-rested.
Your flight is simply more likely to leave and arrive on schedule, which means less stress and fewer disruptions to your carefully planned itinerary.
8. Lower Initial Hotel Costs
Just as airfare drops midweek, so do hotel rates in many European cities. Booking your first couple of nights for a Tuesday or Wednesday arrival can save you a surprising amount of money.
Hotels know that business travelers fill rooms Monday through Thursday, but leisure travelers typically arrive on weekends. Midweek arrivals often qualify for lower rates that haven’t yet jumped to weekend pricing.
Those savings add up quickly, especially in expensive cities like London, Paris, or Amsterdam.
9. Increased Flexibility for Transfers
Many Illinois travelers don’t live right next to O’Hare. If your journey involves a domestic connection from a smaller city like Springfield, Peoria, or Champaign, midweek travel offers better options.
More flights operate throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, giving you flexibility if something goes wrong. Prices for these connecting segments are also typically lower, and there’s more slack in the schedule to handle unexpected delays.
The entire journey feels less rushed and more forgiving when you’re not fighting weekend crowds at every step.
10. Better Overall Travel Experience
All these advantages combine to create something truly valuable: a journey that actually feels like the beginning of a vacation rather than a stressful ordeal. Lower costs mean less financial anxiety.
Fewer crowds translate to a calmer, more pleasant atmosphere from the moment you arrive at the airport. You’re not fighting for overhead bin space or squeezing past dozens of people in narrow aisles.
Midweek travel simply sets a more relaxed, positive tone for your entire European adventure right from the start.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
