Are flights more expensive to book around Christmas?

Along with peak summer, the period between Christmas and New Year's is typically one of the most expensive times of year for flights. It is, not surprisingly, also one of the most popular times of year for travel. 2023 will be no exception, especially as many people skipped out on holiday travel last year.



Yes, Christmas is universally one of the most expensive times to fly due to the massive surge in holiday demand. Airlines utilize automated yield management systems that increase prices as seats fill up, and because so many people travel during the fixed "Goldilocks Window" of late December, fares can be double or triple their off-peak rates. To find the best prices for Christmas 2026, experts recommend booking domestic flights 2–4 months in advance and international flights 4–10 months ahead. Traveling on the actual holiday—December 25—is often the most effective "hack" to save money, as demand drops significantly for flights departing on the day itself. Additionally, "red-eye" or very early morning flights are typically cheaper than mid-day departures. While destinations like Prague or Riviera Maya are popular and pricey, being flexible with your return date (e.g., returning after New Year's Day) can also help mitigate the extreme holiday premium. Using price trackers like Google Flights is essential during this season to catch rare "dips" in pricing.

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Travelers seeking the lowest prices may find the best airfares from 36 to 74 days before departure for Thanksgiving flights, with the best deals about 52 days prior, according to Google Flights data. For Christmas, the best airfares may be found 20 to 88 days before departure, with the best deals about 22 days prior.

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Domestic flight prices for trips during the 2023 holiday season are on an uphill climb until the new year, according to an industry economist.

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Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

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Average domestic airfare price by day
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically.
  • Saturday and Monday flights can help you avoid the Sunday rush.
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally.
  • Book one to three months in advance.
  • Set a price alert.


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Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically. The cheapest days to depart if you're flying within the U.S. are midweek — generally Tuesday or Wednesday. For economy tickets, Tuesdays are about 24% lower than peak prices on Sundays, which translates to savings of about $85 per ticket.

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Generally, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly, while Fridays and Sundays are pricier, according to travel deal site FareCompare. Leisure travelers tend to fly on the weekends, either starting their vacations on Friday or taking a long weekend Friday to Sunday.

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The reality is that last-minute offers just don't come around as often as travelers may think. Going.com's advice: “Generally speaking, waiting until the 11th hour to book airfare isn't going to save you money. After about the three-week mark, prices rise significantly, no matter the route.”

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How often do airlines update airfare information online? The airlines update fare information 3 times a day. They do not necessarily change airfare prices all three times, but they certainly can, and often do.

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Is there a cheapest month to fly? If you're looking for a bargain month to travel, February is your best bet. Flights in January closely follow February for being most affordable.

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But even compared to pre-pandemic prices, airfares are lower. Average U.S. airfares are more than 6.5% lower in September 2023 than they were in September 2019, meaning prices aren't just lower than they were last year, but even lower than what they were pre-pandemic.

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As time goes on, more airlines will begin to release their flights for 2024. If you want to fly sooner, most airlines have already released their flights for the end of the year too. Generally, flights are available to book around 11 months in advance, although it will differ from airline to airline.

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Why are flights so expensive in 2023? Flights cost even more in early 2023 than they do now. Factors such as fuel costs, staffing shortages, aging IT infrastructure and hidden fees all contribute to expensive flights in 2023.

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