Why are flights so expensive around Christmas?

Christmas and New Year are the most celebrated holidays in the world. Which means they're peak times for travel. So, what should you remember? Flights will cost more, and booking in advance is even more critical.



Flights during the Christmas and New Year period in 2026 reach their price peaks due to a combination of extreme demand and limited airline capacity. This is the highest "travel density" window of the year, where millions of people travel simultaneously for family reunions, causing seats to sell out months in advance. Beyond simple "supply and demand," airlines utilize sophisticated "Dynamic Pricing" algorithms that raise fares as soon as a route begins to fill. In 2026, costs are further inflated by high jet fuel prices and a global pilot shortage that has prevented airlines from adding enough "extra" holiday flights to meet the surge. Additionally, the "premium-heavy" strategy of modern airlines means there are fewer "Economy" seats available overall, driving up the baseline price for the remaining spots. Taxes and regulatory fees, such as environmental carbon offsets, are also frequently higher during peak periods, making the "holiday markup" a multi-faceted financial burden for travelers who don't book at least six to nine months in advance.

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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. 2023 will be no exception, especially as many people skipped out on holiday travel last year.

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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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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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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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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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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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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. 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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Domestic airline prices are on the decline in 2023, finally retreating after spiking just a year ago. International fares are still high. After soaring in 2022, prices for domestic airline tickets are on the descent.

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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.

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Mid-morning and early evening flights are often more expensive – though this trend isn't quite as set in stone as the cheapest days to fly. If you're looking to save, early morning, midday, or late-night flights can often be the cheapest time to fly.

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It mostly comes down to supply and demand. Demand is contributing to higher prices as travel continues to surge post-pandemic, Berg said. Sustained strong demand in 2023 continues to put additional pressure on prices, especially to and within regions where travel has only recently reopened like parts of Asia.

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Fares could get much pricier within days For Christmas, domestic round-trip flights are still hovering at $400 on average, per Hopper data. However, after about Oct. 14, prices are likely to consistently get more expensive and travelers will have a more challenging time finding the best deals.

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It's likely that domestic airfares will continue to sink through the rest of 2023, says Keyes. But prices still tend to run higher in peak holiday periods. To watch for low fares, you can enter your itinerary at sites such as Google Flights and Kayak and receive e-mail alerts when prices drop.

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


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