Is Tuesday at 4 a.m. really the best time to book flights? Luxair says no to know about air travel

Booking flights, braving turbulence or wondering why in-flight food tastes so bland –flying comes with plenty of questions. But how many of the commonly held beliefs about air travel actually hold up?

Luxair, Luxembourg’s flag carrier, sheds some light on a few myths and explains what really happens behind the scenes.

The Tuesday-at-4-in-the-morning myth

A persistent rumour claims that flights are cheapest if booked on Tuesdays at 4:00. It’s been passed down in travel forums like gospel. But Luxair isn’t buying it.

“Ticket prices vary depending on many factors: time of year, school holidays and when the purchase is made,” the airline said, declining to confirm the late-night discount legend. Instead, Luxair highlights its last-minute offers as a reliable way to find good fares.

And what about using a VPN to trick pricing algorithms? No luck there either. While using a VPN “has no direct impact” on fares, the airline says browsing behaviour can influence prices. Simply put: if many users are looking at the same flight, seat availability drops – and prices can rise.

Fear of flying? There’s a seminar for that

Whether you tense up during takeoff or avoid flying altogether, Luxair says you’re not alone. If it’s a phobia, it’s best to inform the flight crew. You’ll receive appropriate support. “We can provide caring support and respond with special attention if needed,” Luxair explains.

For more serious cases, Luxair offers a weekend seminar, including sessions with a psychologist, a captain and cabin crew.

Participants learn coping techniques and then take a supervised round-trip flight with the same team. Held six times a year in three languages, the programme has a success rate of over 95%, according to Luxair.

“Furthermore, an independent study conducted by the University of Luxembourg shows that after their participation, over 90% of former participants continue to fly.”

Yes, airplane mode still matters

Mobile phones must still be set to airplane mode during flights, Luxair says, especially during takeoff and landing. Otherwise, they continuously search for a network, which can interfere with aircraft communication and navigation systems.

Wi-Fi on board? It exists, but is only activated after takeoff and deactivated before landing. The service includes either direct internet access via satellite or an Inflight Entertainment system with preloaded movies, games and news.

Why airplane food tastes … meh

Think the food is bland? You’re not imagining it. Reduced humidity and cabin pressure dull your taste buds, Luxair says. Add engine noise and distractions from other passengers, and flavours don’t stand much of a chance.

Chefs compensate with stronger spices and crunchy textures. These techniques can help restore some of the flavour lost at altitude.

Could you land a plane?

A viral survey once suggested nearly half of men – and a quarter of women – believe they could land a plane in an emergency. Luxair’s answer: don’t count on it.

“Piloting and landing an airliner is a complex task that requires years of theoretical and practical training,” the airline said. Pilots are trained for every imaginable scenario and operate under strict European rules.

Their workdays can stretch up to 15 hours, including pre-flight prep, time in the air and post-landing procedures. Minimum rest periods of 12 hours are enforced between flights.

As of 2026, Luxair will fly to more than 100 destinations. Whether you’re a nervous flyer or a self-declared aviation expert, you’ll still need to buckle in – and yes, switch your phone to airplane mode.

(This article was originally published by Virgule. Machine translated by AI, with editing and adaptation by Kabir Agarwal.)