Holiday flight prices rise; experts urge travelers to book soon

While there is no specific day or time of day known for offering lower fares, certain travel days can yield savings. Midweek flights—especially on Wednesdays—and traveling on the actual holiday (such as Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Eve) can result in reduced costs.

Recent data indicates that airfares for the 2025 holiday season have increased compared to last year, though not as sharply as previously observed. Points Path, a browser extension that tracks both cash and award ticket prices using Google Flights data, found that domestic coach fares during Thanksgiving week have risen about 3.4% year over year, averaging just under $586. First-class domestic fares saw a more significant jump of 12%, while business-class and premium economy fares dropped between 1% and 5%. International coach tickets also rose about 3%, but international premium cabins experienced price decreases ranging from 6% to 35%.

For Christmas travel within the U.S., average economy fares increased by approximately 1% compared to last year, now costing around $639. Premium cabin fares domestically saw increases between 8% and 14%. Internationally, coach tickets are averaging $1,258—a decrease from previous years.

The analysis recommends setting up fare alerts through platforms like Google Flights and monitoring price changes regularly in advance of travel dates. Flexibility with travel dates and times—such as opting for early morning or red-eye flights—can also help travelers find better deals. Additionally, using airline points or miles may provide greater value when cash prices are high during peak seasons.

"Points Path and TPG find that fares for the 2025 holidays are generally higher year over year. That said, prices are likely to be at their lowest over the next few weeks. It's time to start booking."

Travel experts continue to advise booking standard economy rather than basic economy tickets since many airlines offer trip credits if fares drop after purchase—as long as basic economy is avoided.

As demand rises closer to major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, travelers who delay may face higher costs or limited availability.