Holiday Getaways: When Should You Book Your Flights For Thanksgiving & Christmas Travel In The US?

As the holiday season approaches, millions of Americans prepare to travel for Thanksgiving and Christmas. These two holidays are among the busiest times for air travel, making it essential to secure the best deals and avoid last-minute headaches.
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But when exactly should you book your flights to get the best price and availability? Let’s dive into the insights from industry experts to guide you through booking flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas travel in 2024.
Understanding the holiday travel rush
The travel period for both Thanksgiving and Christmas is notorious for higher prices and limited availability. Thanksgiving tends to have a shorter travel window, with most travelers departing the Wednesday before the holiday and returning the following Sunday or Monday.
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Christmas, on the other hand, has a slightly broader window, as some families extend their trips to include New Year’s Eve. The increased demand during these periods means that airlines typically raise their prices, making it crucial for travelers to know when to book to secure the best fares.
When should you book flights for Thanksgiving?
For those planning Thanksgiving travel, timing is critical. Several studies provide insights into the ideal booking window. According to The Points Guy, travelers should aim to book their flights at least two months in advance for the best savings. Data suggests that prices for Thanksgiving flights generally rise in mid-October, making early September an ideal time to start watching fares and lock in a deal.
According to USA Today, Google Flights data supports this approach. Their research shows that the best time to book Thanksgiving flights is between 52 and 30 days before departure. This means booking between mid-September and mid-October will often yield the best prices.
However, if you’re flexible with your travel dates, you may find last-minute deals in the weeks leading up to the holiday, though these come with a higher risk of sell-outs. In 2024, with Thanksgiving falling on November 28, it is recommended that you book your flights by mid-October. After that, prices will likely spike as demand peaks and availability becomes limited.
Christmas travel: when to book for the best deals
The Christmas travel period often allows for more flexibility than Thanksgiving, as families might plan longer trips or combine Christmas with New Year’s celebrations. Still, booking early is essential to secure reasonable prices. According to Travel + Leisure, the sweet spot for booking Christmas flights is between 60 and 30 days before departure. This means late October to early November is the optimal time to lock in your flights.
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Waiting until the last minute for Christmas travel can be risky, as fares are known to rise sharply in December due to increased demand. Many experts echo this advice, recommending that travelers aim to book their flights for Christmas by early November to get the best deals. As Christmas falls on a Wednesday in 2024, booking in late October or early November will give you the best chance of finding reasonable fares.
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Google Flights data suggests that Christmas flight prices rise steadily in the weeks leading up to the holiday. Booking early not only secures a lower fare but also gives you more options for flight times and routes, which can become limited as December approaches.
One of the best ways to save on holiday travel is by being flexible with your travel dates. You can often find better deals if you avoid the busiest days. For Thanksgiving, travelling on the Tuesday before the holiday instead of Wednesday can lead to significant savings. Similarly, returning on the Monday after Thanksgiving instead of Sunday can help you avoid peak fares.
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For Christmas, flying a few days before or after the holiday can lead to lower prices. According to Skyscanner, flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day can often result in much cheaper flights, as fewer people are willing to travel on the holiday. If you can extend your trip to include New Year’s, you may also find better flight deals.
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Price alerts can be a valuable tool for securing the best deals. Most major booking platforms, like Google Flights and Skyscanner, allow you to set up alerts that notify you when prices drop or rise for your selected routes. This feature is beneficial if you book early and wait for prices to fluctuate.
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Here’s a list of great booking websites that allow you to create price alerts and find the best times to book:
The impact of last-minute bookings
While booking early is generally the best strategy, some travelers may wait for last-minute deals. However, this can be risky during the holiday season. Experts caution that last-minute bookings for Thanksgiving and Christmas flights often come with inflated prices and fewer options as airlines capitalize on the increased demand.
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That said, if you’re willing to be flexible with your travel dates and destinations, you might score a deal by booking at the last minute. Google Flights data shows that some flights may drop in price as airlines look to fill unsold seats closer to the departure date. However, this is less common during the holidays, when flights tend to fill up quickly.
Related 5 Top Tips For Christmas Travel Traveling during the holiday season can be stress-free with the right preparation.
Conclusion: book early, but stay flexible
In summary, depending on your destination and flexibility, the best time to book flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas travel in 2024 is mid-September and early November. For Thanksgiving, aim to book by mid-October to secure the best fares, while for Christmas, late October to early November is ideal.
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Utilizing price alerts and being flexible with travel dates can also help you save money. Ultimately, the key to successful holiday travel is planning and booking early to avoid the stress and high costs of last-minute travel.