Holiday airfares expected to rise; book early for best deals

Research

Ellie Nan Storck Managing editor | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Oct 4, 2024

The holiday season is traditionally a time for gathering with family and friends, but it also marks one of the busiest travel periods. In 2023, the Transportation Security Administration screened a record-setting 2.9 million passengers on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The summer of 2024 surpassed this figure twice, indicating an even busier holiday season ahead.

"Flying around peak holidays, like Thanksgiving and New Year's, means not just inflated fares compared to other times of the year, but also much busier airports," said Katy Nastro, spokesperson for Going. She advised avoiding travel on December 1st when over three million people are expected to fly.

To secure affordable airfare during this busy period, experts recommend booking early. According to Hopper's 2024 holiday travel outlook, prices are still decreasing but will rise if travelers wait too long. Booking by October 14th is suggested for optimal savings.

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Nastro highlighted that purchasing a regular economy ticket allows travelers to rebook at a lower cost if prices drop: "By ensuring you've purchased a regular economy ticket, not basic, you have the ability to rebook that flight at a lower cost once you're alerted to a drop in price and receive a credit in return for the difference."

Certain days should be avoided to keep costs down. "Steering clear of Tuesday and Wednesday pre-Thanksgiving to beat the crowds and higher fares is never a bad idea," Nastro noted. Flying on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day can save up to 25% on tickets.

For international flights over Thanksgiving, Going has identified several deals such as New York City to Paris for $383 and Los Angeles to Dublin for $415. Domestic flights are averaging around $298 per round-trip ticket according to Hopper data.

During Christmas travel, flexibility remains key due to widespread celebrations increasing demand and prices. For instance, flying from New York City to London could cost $582 if departing on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

In summary, flexibility in travel dates can significantly reduce costs during peak holiday seasons. "Flexibility can be one of the biggest pieces to helping you travel more affordably over a peak season like the winter holidays," Nastro emphasized.