If you plan to travel for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s or any holiday, find out when you should book your flights this fall!
If you plan to travel this holiday season, you should start preparing now! Because, according to economists, the best time to book flights for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s is approaching quickly.
“The most important thing is for travelers to continue to think about planning now and booking in October. That window of low prices is brief, but it can really pay off”, said Hayley Berg, lead economist at travel site Hopper.
According to Berg, if you miss it, there’s still one more chance to snag a good deal. Keep an eye on “Travel Tuesday” – which falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving -, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. It’s the time that “pretty much the whole travel industry goes on sale” added Berg.
When Will Prices Be At Their Lowest?
Holiday travel prices are slightly higher than last year, according to Berg. Hopper’s 2024 Holiday Travel Outlook report shows that round-trip flights for Thanksgiving – with departures from Nov. 24 to 28 – cost currently an average of $298, up 10% from last year and 3% from pre-pandemic levels. However, prices are expected to drop by about $40 on average, reaching their lowest in early October, aligning with 2023 prices, the report said.
Similarly, Christmas flights – Dec. 21 to 25 – now average $406 for a round trip, which is 4% higher than last year and 13% more than pre-pandemic prices. These rates are also expected to decrease by about $80 in October, according to the Hopper’s report.
Berg stresses the importance of planning your travel early on to be ready to book when the price drops in October. She also noted that if you’re a last-minute traveler, mark Dec. 3 (Travel Tuesday) on your calendar. “You might get lucky and swing something last minute” she added, noting that discounts may include flights, hotel stays, and rental cars.
How to Avoid Holiday Travel Delays
The holiday season brings more flight schedules and larger crowds, increasing the likelihood of disruptions or a “domino effect”, experts say. For example, if one flight leaves 15 minutes late, it could affect air traffic for the entire terminal, said Berg. However, she explained that the most significant risks come from bad weather and technical issues. Here are four tips to help avoid delays:
- Avoid Flying on Peak Days: avoid flying on the Sunday before and after Thanksgiving. In past years, the Sunday after the holiday has been the busiest day for air travel, according to experts;
- Take the First Flight of the Day: early flights are less likely to face delays or cancellations;
- Plan for Delays: if it’s crucial to arrive on time, give yourself a few extra days to fly earlier;
- Broaden Your Search: look into alternative airports, it could offer more affordable and reliable options.