Want to save money on holiday flights? In 2024, avoid flying on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and the days immediately preceding and following Christmas and New Year's. These are peak travel days, resulting in higher airfare. Consider traveling on less popular dates for potentially cheaper flights and a less crowded airport experience.
Understanding Holiday Airfare Dynamics
Before diving into specific dates, it's crucial to understand the dynamics that drive holiday airfare. As Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's approach, demand for flights increases dramatically. This heightened demand allows airlines to raise prices, knowing that many travelers are willing to pay a premium to reach their destinations for the holidays. Weekends and the days immediately preceding and following holidays tend to be the most expensive. Conversely, weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, often offer better deals. Booking in advance is generally recommended, but sometimes last-minute deals can surface if flights haven't filled up. However, relying on this is a risky gamble.
Days to Avoid Flying During Thanksgiving 2024
Thanksgiving is a notoriously busy travel period. If you want to save money, steer clear of these days:
Day |
Why to Avoid |
|---|
Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 |
The absolute peak for outbound travel. Everyone wants to arrive at their destination before Thanksgiving Day, making this the most expensive day to fly out. |
Saturday, November 23rd & Sunday, November 24th, 2024 |
The weekend before Thanksgiving is also extremely busy as people try to get a head start on their holiday travel. Expect inflated prices. |
Sunday, December 1st, 2024 |
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day for return flights. Prepare for crowded airports and high ticket prices. |
Monday, December 2nd, 2024 |
While slightly less expensive than Sunday, many people still return home on Monday after an extended Thanksgiving holiday, so prices remain elevated. |
Instead, consider flying on Thanksgiving Day itself, or the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving for outbound flights. For return flights, look at the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving, though these may require taking additional time off work or school.
Days to Avoid Flying During Christmas and New Year's 2024/2025
The Christmas and New Year's holiday period is another prime time for expensive airfare. The closer you get to December 25th and January 1st, the higher the prices will climb.
Day |
Why to Avoid |
|---|
Friday, December 20th - Monday, December 23rd, 2024 |
These days leading up to Christmas see a huge surge in travelers heading to their holiday destinations. Expect significant price increases. |
Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 (Christmas Day) |
While not as bad as the days leading up to Christmas, Christmas Day itself still sees elevated prices, especially for popular destinations. |
Thursday, December 26th, 2024 |
Many people take the entire week off between Christmas and New Year's, leading to continued high demand and prices. |
Saturday, December 28th - Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 |
These days are particularly busy as people travel for New Year's celebrations. Flights will be expensive and airports will be packed. |
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 (New Year's Day) |
While perhaps slightly better than the day before, New Year's Day itself will still see inflated prices as people continue to travel or begin their return journeys. |
Thursday, January 2nd - Sunday, January 5th, 2025 |
The days immediately following New Year's Day are the peak for return flights after the holidays. Expect high prices and crowded airports. |
For Christmas travel, consider flying on Christmas Eve or even Christmas Day itself. For New Year's, consider flying a few days before Christmas and staying through the holiday season, or flying after January 5th. Look at flights departing on less popular days like Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
Tips for Finding Cheaper Flights
Beyond avoiding peak travel days, here are a few additional tips to help you find cheaper flights during the holiday season:
Be Flexible with Your Dates: Even shifting your travel dates by a day or two can make a significant difference in price.
Consider Alternative Airports: Flying into or out of a smaller, less busy airport can sometimes save you money.
Set Fare Alerts: Use websites like Google Flights, Kayak, or Skyscanner to track prices and receive alerts when prices drop.
Book in Advance: While last-minute deals are rare during the holidays, booking several months in advance is usually the best strategy.
Fly Early or Late: Red-eye flights or flights departing very early in the morning are often cheaper.
Use Airline Miles or Credit Card Rewards: Redeeming points for flights can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Conclusion
By strategically planning your holiday travel and avoiding the most expensive days to fly, you can save a considerable amount of money. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's travel doesn't have to break the bank. Remember to be flexible with your dates, consider alternative airports, and book in advance. With a little planning and research, you can enjoy a memorable holiday season without overspending on airfare. Don't forget to compare prices across multiple airlines and use fare alerts to stay informed about potential deals. Happy travels!
