Airfare for Thanksgiving and Christmas travel is reaching a decade-high, with average round-trip domestic tickets for Thanksgiving costing $402 and Christmas flights averaging $452, according to travel site Hopper. These prices represent significant increases from the previous year, with Thanksgiving fares up $95 and Christmas fares up $85.
The surge in airfares is attributed to elevated jet fuel costs, which have been impacted by the conflict in the Middle East. The disruption to global oil supplies has led airlines to pass these increased operational costs onto passengers through higher ticket prices, surcharges, and route adjustments.
Travel advisers are noting the unprecedented rise in fares. "I was expecting it to be high, but not this high," said luxury travel adviser Sarah Casewit. Ronit Margolis, founder of Jet Set with Ronit, highlighted the rapid fluctuation of fares, advising clients not to delay booking once they find a suitable option. "When clients find a flight that works for their schedule and budget, I encourage them not to wait too long to book," Margolis stated, likening waiting to book flights to waiting too long for Thanksgiving dinner, where fewer good options remain.
Margolis recounted her own experience of booking flights at nearly $900 per person for coach class and $3,000 for first class for a recent trip to Los Angeles, noting that such prices are uncommon in her years of experience in the travel industry.
Booking Recommendations
To secure lower fares, Hopper recommends booking holiday travel before Halloween. However, Margolis advises clients to aim for booking by mid-October, ideally by Oct. 15, considering Halloween as the absolute latest deadline rather than a target for starting the booking process. For travelers with fixed schedules, such as families traveling around school breaks, booking sooner is particularly important as desirable flights, especially non-stop options at convenient times, tend to become more expensive as seats fill.
Kareem George, a travel adviser and CEO of Culture Traveler, emphasized that prices typically increase as departure dates approach. He recommends booking as early as possible, noting that many airlines allow ticketing up to 331 days before departure, which can lead to substantial savings.
Strategies for Savings
Flexibility with travel dates can significantly reduce costs, according to Casewit. Flying between December 18 and 22 is generally more economical than traveling later in the season. Shifting travel dates by even a day or two, either by departing earlier or returning after the busiest travel days, can make a difference. Casewit suggests flying out on the Monday or Tuesday before the holidays and returning mid-week before January 2, with December 31 offering some of the best deals for return flights.
Margolis also recommends comparing prices at nearby airports and considering early-morning non-stop flights, which can minimize travel disruptions. She advises booking directly with airlines and opting for fares that allow penalty-free changes, as this may enable travelers to receive a travel credit if prices drop after booking.
Despite the focus on cost savings, Margolis stresses the importance of considering flight schedules, flexibility, and reliability, as saving a small amount of money may not be worth the stress of long connections or the risk of missing important holiday events.