Holiday airfare is experiencing its steepest increase in a decade, with round-trip domestic flights for Thanksgiving averaging $402, a 31% jump from last year. Christmas flights are also seeing a significant rise, averaging $452, up 23% from the previous year.

These escalating prices have led to some extraordinary fares. One TikTok user reported seeing return flights from New York to Buffalo priced between $11,400 and $12,203. "Just a cheap $12,000," she commented on the exorbitant cost, which included a layover. Similar reports emerged from other travelers, with one noting a flight from Los Angeles to Costa Rica costing $900, while the return journey was priced at $14,500.

Travel app Hopper's 2026 Holiday Travel Index attributes the surge in airfares primarily to months of rising jet fuel prices, exacerbated by geopolitical conflicts. The report indicates that 2026 is on track to be the most expensive year for holiday travel in the last 10 years.

Hotel rates have also seen an increase. For Thanksgiving, nightly rates average $170, consistent with last year, but for Christmas, they average $197, an 18% increase from 2025. International flights are also affected, with fares to Mexico and Central America up 23% and flights to Europe up 15%.

Travelers are attempting to mitigate these costs by booking earlier than usual. Many are also leveraging technology, with Hopper reporting that 33% of adults are using generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to plan their trips, nearly matching the 35% who use traditional search engines.

Specific travel dates can significantly impact costs. For Thanksgiving, Monday, November 23rd, is the most affordable day to depart, with fares averaging $370. Conversely, Sunday, November 29th, is projected to be one of the most expensive travel days, with round-trip domestic flights averaging $604. Travelers can save approximately $250 by returning on the Monday or Tuesday following Thanksgiving instead of the Sunday.

For the Christmas season, the weekend of December 18th-20th is anticipated to be the most expensive time to depart, with average ticket prices just under $500. The most economical departure dates are the Monday or Tuesday before the holiday. Returning on Sunday, December 27th, is also advised against, as prices are expected to be about 20% higher than earlier in the week. Prices are expected to surge again after January 2nd, surpassing $560 for return flights as travelers head home for good.