Is December an expensive month to fly?

Tickets are also cheaper in August than during the December rush. For the lowest fares on domestic flights, travel in January or February. But for international trips, you'll find the cheapest fare in August.



In 2026, December remains the most expensive month of the year for air travel, with average fares nearly 29% higher than the annual low point in August. This high-fidelity price surge is driven by the massive "High-Fidelity" demand for holiday travel during Christmas and New Year's. For domestic U.S. routes, travelers can pay an average of $120 more per ticket compared to the cheapest months. While January and February offer the lowest overall volumes, December sees "High-Fidelity" record-breaking crowds and a complete lack of promotional fares. To mitigate these costs, experts recommend booking at least 6 months in advance for international trips and utilizing mid-week departures (Tuesdays or Wednesdays) before the peak "High-Fidelity" holiday window begins, as Sunday departures in late December represent the absolute peak of 2026 pricing.

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As it's a busy time of year, December flight prices tend to go up in the days around Christmas.

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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. At the other end of the spectrum, December and July are the first and second most expensive months to travel, on average.

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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.

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If you're traveling within the United States, January and February are reliably the cheapest months to fly because they are right after the holidays.

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For Christmas, deals are sparse with the least-expensive day to fly far ahead of the holiday on Dec. 18. Travelers who fly on Christmas Eve, however, can save nearly $120 compared to flying on Dec. 22, which is one of the most expensive days to fly for the holiday.

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Domestic airfare is averaging around $400 round-trip, which is down 12% from last year. The cheapest day to depart will be Dec. 19, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Leaving on a holiday itself can save 26%.

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The cheapest months to travel are:
  • November – early December.
  • Late January – March.


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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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For Christmas, the best airfares may be found 20 to 88 days before departure, with the best deals about 22 days prior. But the analysis cautions it may be cutting it close. AAA Mountain West Group spokesman Julian Paredes agrees waiting too long for low holiday airfares is risky for travelers.

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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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71 days out is a recommendation, not a rule Instead, travelers should view that timeline as the point when cheap flights have their highest odds of popping up. According to Going's analysis, travelers want to look for the so-called Goldilocks Window (not too early, not too late) to get the cheapest airfare.

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The Busiest Travel Dates for Winter December 1 - The first day of December is a popular air travel date for those planning extended, even month-long, vacations. December 23 - This is the day before Christmas Eve, and people everywhere scramble to make it to their loved ones before the holiday.

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Set your calendar for early October For Christmas 2023, that means the typical low prices for airfare should occur around the first week of October through the end of the month. According to Google, Oct. 12 should have the lowest airfare for those who want to travel the Friday before Christmas (Dec. 22).

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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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According to a recent study by Expedia, the cheapest day to book flights is Sunday. When comparing Sunday flight prices to Friday, Expedia found that travelers save 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights. For the past four years, Sunday has been the best day of the week to book flights.

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