Flight error fare: what is it and how to take advantage of it?

What is an error fare?

An error fare is a flight ticket shown at an abnormally low price due to a computer error, a wrong currency conversion, or a human data-entry mistake in the booking system. (source: Faro)

Error fares are rare but real. They usually appear on long-haul flights, where price gaps are most visible. A long-haul ticket that normally costs several hundred can briefly show 70-80% lower for a few hours before the airline corrects it.

Faro detects these anomalies automatically by comparing the displayed price to the 30-day median for each route. If the price is below 50% of the median, it is flagged as an error fare.

Are airlines required to honour an error fare?

In the EU, airlines are required to honour any ticket sold, except in cases of manifest error. In practice, most honour tickets to protect their reputation. (source: Faro)

EU law protects consumers: a ticket bought and confirmed forms a contract. However, airlines can invoke manifest error if the price was clearly abnormal. Case law varies by country and by the amounts involved.

How to spot an error fare before everyone else

Faro automatically monitors flight prices every 30 minutes and compares each fare to the route's historical median. No manual action required. (source: Faro)

Error fares are short-lived — they last from a few minutes to a few hours. The key is detection speed. Sites like Faro automate this monitoring so you only have to check the deals and book.

What to do when you find an error fare?

1. Check the price on the airline site or via the booking link
2. Book immediately — error fares disappear within hours
3. Take cancellation insurance if the amount is high
4. Don't contact the airline to ask for confirmation (it draws attention to the error)
5. Wait for the email confirmation before planning your trip

The most memorable error fares

Faro archives every error fare with its price, discount, duration and airline. 5 963 errors archived to date. (source: Faro, 29/05/2026)

Browse Faro's Catch to see the full history with the details of every error.

Frequently asked questions