What price history does and does not tell you
HopTrip · Reviewed
HopTrip history includes observations we have received and recorded. It is not a complete archive of every price available for sale. Its coverage depends on the provider, supported routes and the period of data collection.
Image source and licence
Cropped and resized by HopTrip; WebP format. This adapted photograph is shared under the same licence as the original.
Illustrative photograph, not a statement of current conditions or availability.
One response does not always add a new observation
Receiving the same offer, price and observation time again does not increase the sample. If the source supplies a new observation time, the same amount can create another entry. Without a source timestamp, we treat repeated prices conservatively.
Observation count therefore does not mean searches, passengers or tickets sold. Several entries may concern the same flight at different times; they should not be treated as an independent study of the whole market.
A small sample limits the comparison
For a consistent route and travel-period group, we calculate the median and price range. With few entries, a single price has a large effect on the result. History for a new route may only be starting to build.
The history coverage component of the score grows with the number of entries and reaches its limit at 30 observations. This does not mean 100% certainty or guarantee a representative sample. Missing flights and fare conditions still limit the comparison.
How to use history when choosing
Treat a price below the median as a reason to look more closely at an offer. Consider it alongside current ticket conditions, entry freshness and your requirements. Do not automatically compare a one-way flight with a return trip.
History describes past records; it does not predict tomorrow's price. We do not use it to promise that waiting will lower the cost or that the displayed offer is the cheapest among all sellers. Check the final details after visiting the partner.