Should I book flights on a specific day of the week?

There is no 'magical' day to book. Tuesday or Wednesday departures are often cheaper than weekend flights, but the day you click 'purchase' rarely impacts the fare.

Is basic economy worth it for long-haul flights?

Only if you are traveling with a personal item only and don't mind not choosing your seat. For most, the lack of flexibility and added baggage fees make standard economy a better value.

Booking flights from the US to Europe

Book your transatlantic flight 3 to 6 months in advance for the best balance of price and availability. Use flight comparison engines to track prices, but always complete your purchase directly on the airline’s website to make managing changes or cancellations significantly easier.

Set your price alert. Use Google Flights to monitor your specific route. Input your origin and destination, toggle the 'Track prices' switch, and ensure you are signed into your Google account to receive email notifications when the fare drops.
Identify the 'sweet spot' booking window. For Europe, the best prices usually appear between 90 and 150 days before departure. Avoid booking more than 9 months out (prices are inflated) or less than 30 days out (prices spike due to business travel demand).
Consider open-jaw itineraries. If you are touring multiple countries, look for 'Multi-city' options. Flying into London and out of Rome can often be cheaper than a round-trip ticket to a single city, as it eliminates the cost and time of backtracking to your arrival airport.
Check the total cost of budget carriers. If you see a very cheap fare on a low-cost carrier (like Norse or PLAY), manually add the cost of one checked bag, a carry-on, and seat selection. Often, a full-service carrier will cost only $50–$100 more but include these items.
Finalize on the airline's portal. Once you find your flight on a comparison site, navigate directly to the airline’s official website to book. This prevents the 'third-party booking trap' where you have to deal with an online travel agency's customer service for flight changes or issues.

Should I book flights on a specific day of the week?: There is no 'magical' day to book. Tuesday or Wednesday departures are often cheaper than weekend flights, but the day you click 'purchase' rarely impacts the fare.
Is basic economy worth it for long-haul flights?: Only if you are traveling with a personal item only and don't mind not choosing your seat. For most, the lack of flexibility and added baggage fees make standard economy a better value.