When it comes to finding affordable holiday flights, the timing of your booking can matter nearly as much as the dates you travel. This year, booking early is especially important as airfares continue to rise, according to new Google data.
Google Flights estimates that Thanksgiving travelers will find the lowest fares in October, while those flying around Christmas should aim to finalize their plans by about Halloween.
When to book flights for optimal deals
Travelers with firm schedules generally have the best chance of saving by booking as soon as possible. For Thanksgiving, the lowest fares typically appear 34 days before departure, based on Google’s analysis of five years of flight data. With Thanksgiving falling on Nov. 26, that points to Oct. 22 as the ideal booking date for flights departing the Wednesday before the holiday. In general, the best window for Thanksgiving trips is between 57 and 21 days before departure.
For Christmas travel, the lowest average fares are expected about 56 days before departure. Google Flights identifies a broader savings window of 33 to 67 days before a trip. As of Oct. 5, roughly 80 days remain until Christmas, meaning the strongest deals are likely to appear from late October through mid-November.
Other ways to save
Choosing less popular travel days can also help reduce the cost of a ticket. Hopper data indicates that flying on the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving, rather than Wednesday, can lead to savings. The company also recommends avoiding a return flight on Sunday, Nov. 29, when demand is expected to be high.
A similar strategy applies to Christmas travel. Hopper advises passengers to steer clear of Dec. 18, 19 and 20, as well as Sunday, Dec. 27, the day after Christmas weekend.
MUST READ: Researcher Claims Amelia Earhart Mystery Solved by Photo Trace
Holiday airfares are also facing upward pressure from the Iran war, which has driven up oil and jet fuel prices. Fuel is the airline industry’s largest expense after labor. Before the conflict in the Middle East began in late February, global jet fuel averaged $99 per barrel, according to the International Air Transport Association. Prices climbed to a peak of $209 per barrel in April and reached $195 in mid-September, based on IATA figures citing S&P Global Energy Platts.
Hopper estimates that domestic round-trip Thanksgiving flights now average $402, a 31% increase from last year. Domestic round-trip fares for Christmas are averaging $452, up 23% year over year.
