When should I book flights in December?

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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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. For domestic flights, Keyes said that's one to three months in advance for off-peak trips and three to six months for peak-season travel, such as Christmas and New Year's.

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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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The general rule is that for domestic flights, travelers should start searching for flight tickets one to three months in advance. For international flights, the best prices are typically available from two to eight months in advance. Prices can also vary widely among airlines.

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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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Last-Minute Christmas Flight Deals Airlines drop prices so much because they don't want their planes to be left half-full. As you may suspect, Christmas and New Year flights don't fall into this category. The only last-minute Christmas deal you can get is if someone cancels their tickets shortly before their trip.

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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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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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Tuesday Around Midnight is the Cheapest Time to Book
In general, flights were slightly cheaper at midnight earlier in the week (Monday through Wednesday). However, this is only applicable to about 1.6% of U.S. markets, meaning that it's not likely you'll find the same savings on your specific route.

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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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As it's a busy time of year, December flight prices tend to go up in the days around Christmas. But if you're flexible with flight and trip duration, and you book well in advance, you can usually bag a brilliant deal.

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Expedia's report also notes travelers can look forward to a 3 percent decrease in booking airfare in 2024, compared to the higher prices of 2022.

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


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At midnight, fewer people travel and there is low last-minute reservation so to fill them, they release multiple offers. With these discounts, you can set aside some amount.

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Tuesdays may not be favorable for booking, but if you're hoping to score major savings, booking your departure on a Tuesday or Wednesday is a surefire way to do so. Mid-week flights offer the best deal prices in comparison to flights departing the rest of the week.

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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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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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