When Should You Book Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Flights?

Holiday flights do not behave like regular flights. Millions of people want the same few days, so prices and good schedules move on a different clock. As of mid-October 2026, the best booking window for Thanksgiving is open right now, and the one for Christmas is about to open.

This guide explains the best windows for each holiday, how fares usually behave, and what waiting too long can cost you. Compare holiday flight options and dates first, then browse holiday tours and activities on Viator so the whole trip comes together at once.

How Holiday Fares Behave (1-5)

• 1. Holiday fares follow a curve, not a straight line. Prices often drift down for a while, reach a low point, and then climb fast as the date gets close.
• 2. The low point comes earlier than most people expect. Five years of Google Flights data show Thanksgiving fares tend to bottom out about 34 days before departure. For Christmas, the low is closer to 56 days out.
• 3. Think of it as a window, not a single day. Google found a low-price range of roughly 21 to 57 days before Thanksgiving, and 33 to 67 days before Christmas. A fare inside that range is usually a fair one.
• 4. Prices rise steeply at the end. Kayak’s holiday data shows domestic Thanksgiving fares reach their low about five weeks out and then rise sharply in the final two weeks.
• 5. The day of the week you book matters very little. Google found that booking-day tricks are mostly a myth. The date you fly matters far more than the day you click buy.

Booking Thanksgiving Flights (6-10)

“Thanksgiving falls on November 26 this year. Count back 34 days and you land on October 23, which is about nine days from now.”

• 6. Aim to book by late October. Google’s low point falls around October 23, and Expedia’s advice is to book by Halloween. Waiting past that is a bet that fares will drop, and history says they usually climb.
• 7. If your dates are fixed and the fare looks fair, book it. Holding out for a bigger drop is risky when the final weeks tend to bring price jumps.
• 8. Pick your flying day with care. Kayak found the Friday before Thanksgiving is one of the priciest departure days. Flying on Thanksgiving Day itself can cut domestic fares by as much as 19 percent.
• 9. Check two one-way tickets. Kayak found that two one-way tickets can beat a round trip by up to 29 percent on domestic routes. Always price both ways before you pay.
• 10. Weigh a connection against a nonstop. Google found nonstop flights cost about 20 percent more on average. A short, safe connection can save real money, but a tight one can cause problems in winter weather.

Booking Christmas and New Year’s Flights (11-16)

• 11. Christmas rewards earlier booking. Google’s data puts the Christmas low about 56 days out, which is near October 30 this year. Expedia’s advice is to book by mid-November at the latest.
• 12. Book New Year’s flights at the same time. Travel sites often group Christmas and New Year’s together because the fare patterns look so similar. Christmas and New Year’s Day both land on a Friday this year, so the busiest days will be crowded.
• 13. Use the four-to-seven-week zone. Kayak says Christmas fares usually soften four to seven weeks before departure. That points to late October through early December, with the earlier part of that range being safer.
• 14. Fly the week of Christmas if you can. Kayak found that flying during Christmas week instead of the week before can save up to 18 percent on domestic fares and up to 34 percent on international ones.
• 15. Do not wait on international flights. Google found that international fares tend to hit their low about 89 days out. If you are flying abroad for the holidays, that window has already passed, so book soon.
• 16. Set a fare alert and use it. A price alert tracks the fare for you and tells you when it changes. It is a useful tool, but do not let it talk you into waiting too long.

Why Waiting Too Long Costs You (17-21)

• 17. The best flight times go first. Morning nonstops and midday flights fill up early. Late bookers are often left with red-eyes and long layovers.
• 18. Cheaper seats sell out before expensive ones. Airlines sell lower fare levels first. As seats fill, the price steps up, even if nothing else changes.
• 19. Families lose the most. Finding several seats together gets harder close to the date. Waiting can mean being split across rows or paying more for every seat.
• 20. Late bookings leave tight connections. A short connection is fine on a calm day. In a winter storm, it can turn into a missed flight and a lost night.
• 21. The cheapest fares often come with strict rules. Basic fares may limit changes, seat choice, or bags. Read the fare rules before you pay so a low price does not turn into a surprise fee.

Smart Moves After You Book (22-26)

• 22. Think about travel insurance for winter trips. Storms, illness, and cancellations are more common in December. A plan that covers delays and cancellations can protect your money. You can compare plans in the resource section below.
• 23. Book the fun parts now too. Once the flights are set, lock in tours and activities. Holiday tours on Viator fill up fast, and booking early means you pick the time that suits you.
• 24. Use a rewards card to lower the cost. Points and miles can cover part of a holiday ticket or a hotel night. Compare the best travel rewards programs before you book.
• 25. Build in a buffer on both ends. Arrive a day early for important events and avoid the very last flight home before work. A small cushion beats a big scramble.
• 26. Consider a cruise if flights cost too much. If you live within driving distance of a port, a short Bahamas cruise over New Year’s week skips airfare and holiday airport crowds entirely.