During the erection stage of the suspension bridge, its critical flutter wind speed is continuously varying due to changing structural dynamic properties including mass and stiffness. On the other hand, the wind climate is also varying greatly seasonally or even monthly during the bridge erection procedure. This work proposes an analytical framework to optimize the deck erection timeline under complex wind climate attacks. Xihoumen Bridge built at Chinese southeastern coast is taken as a calculation example. Full-bridge aeroelastic model wind tunnel test was conducted to examine the critical flutter speed at different erection stages. Extreme wind speed for tropical cyclones and synoptic wind are analyzed by tropical cyclone simulation and meteorological records respectively. Results show that the optimal timeline for Xihoumen Bridge is starting in August if a one-month duration is required for each stage. However, if the worst timeline is selected, the flutter risk will be increased 40 times larger. If the construction timeline is flexible for the construction schedule, this research proves that timeline optimization is a more economical and safe approach than structural approaches like storm ropes. •An framework to optimize the optimal deck erection timeline under complex wind climate attack.•Deck erection timeline plays a key role for flutter risk. 40 times difference on flutter risk exists between the best and worst timeline.•Construction timeline optimization is a more economical and safe approach to reduce flutter risk than structural approaches like storm ropes.