Book Your 2024 Thanksgiving and Christmas Flights by This Date
Holiday Travel Tips for Busy Moms
With the holidays approaching, it’s time to start thinking about booking those Thanksgiving and Christmas flights. We all know how hectic holiday travel can get, and no one wants to deal with skyrocketing prices or sold-out flights at the last minute. Fortunately, Google and Hopper recently released some insights and tips to help you snag the best deals for holiday travel this year!
Key Dates to Keep in Mind:
Hopper’s 2024 Holiday Travel Outlook revealed that almost 75% of travelers plan to spend the same or even more on holiday travel compared to last year. To help you save, Hopper’s travel experts recommend booking your Thanksgiving and Christmas flights by October 14th. Here’s a breakdown of when to book, when to fly, and what it might cost you.
When to Book?
- Thanksgiving: Prices for Thanksgiving flights have already dropped by $80 since summer, and they’ll continue to dip until early October. The first two weeks of October are your sweet spot! But after that, prices start climbing fast—by as much as $30 per day in the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. If you’re aiming to save, don’t wait until the last minute!
- Christmas: Expect prices to drop in mid-October, with the best deals through early November. After that, the cost of Christmas flights will rise quickly, especially in December, with prices spiking by more than 32% just a few weeks before the holiday. To lock in a good price, aim to book by mid-October.
When to Fly?
Thanksgiving:
- Domestic: Want to save 23% (about $60 per ticket)? Fly out the Thursday before Thanksgiving (11/21) or Monday of Thanksgiving week (11/25). Avoid weekend flights to get the best deals!
- Cheapest Return Days: Sunday, December 1st, is the most expensive. If you can, fly home on Black Friday or Monday, December 2nd to save some extra cash.
- International: If you’re going abroad, flying out on or around Thanksgiving (November 27th or Thanksgiving Day) will be cheapest, and the best time to return is in the week following Thanksgiving.
Christmas:
- Domestic: Departing Christmas Eve or Christmas Day will save you 26%, or about $100 per ticket. Avoid flying out the weekend before Christmas!
- Cheapest Return Days: The best day to fly home is New Year’s Eve if you want to save an average of $68 per ticket.
- International: Like Thanksgiving, leaving on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is your best bet for cheaper flights. Head home on New Year’s Eve or January 2nd for the best deals.
What Will Holiday Travel Cost?
- Thanksgiving:
- Domestic flights: $298 round-trip (up 10% from last year)
- Europe: $550 round-trip (down 7% from 2023)
- Asia: $1,046 round-trip (down 13% from 2023)
- Christmas:
- Domestic flights: $406 round-trip (up 4% from last year)
- Europe: $830 round-trip (down 11% from 2023)
- Asia: $1,654 round-trip (down 6% from 2023)
Top Destinations for 2024 Holiday Travel
- Thanksgiving - Domestic:
- New York City, NY ($310 round-trip)
- Orlando, FL ($280 round-trip)
- Los Angeles, CA ($312 round-trip)
- Thanksgiving - International:
- Tokyo, Japan ($949 round-trip)
- London, UK ($573 round-trip)
- Paris, France ($514 round-trip)
- Christmas - Domestic:
- New York City, NY ($365 round-trip)
- Orlando, FL ($383 round-trip)
- Miami, FL ($424 round-trip)
- Christmas - International:
- Tokyo, Japan ($1,592 round-trip)
- London, UK ($816 round-trip)
- Paris, France ($783 round-trip)
Final Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Travel Experience
- Book Early: Remember, prices rise fast, so aim to book your flights by **October 14th** to avoid paying extra.
- Be Flexible: If your schedule allows, flying on less popular days (like Christmas Eve or the Monday before Thanksgiving) can save you hundreds of dollars.
- Pack Smart: Don’t forget to pack essentials for the kids to keep them entertained during layovers and flights (snacks, games, and tablets can be lifesavers!).
Now that you’ve got the scoop on when to book and when to fly, you can tackle holiday travel planning like a pro! Safe travels, and may your holidays be filled with joy, relaxation, and smooth journeys.
