Book now: It’s your last chance to get a good deal on Christmas flights

The optimal time to book Christmas flights is now, as we’re just over a month away.

Typically, the best time to snag affordable flights is one to two months before your travel date. Currently, airfares should be at their lowest.

Delaying your booking could lead to higher prices as we get closer to Christmas—consider this your reminder to book soon.

Our recent analysis indicates that while 2025 holiday flight prices are generally up compared to last year, the increases are not as severe as those observed in October. However, expect prices to rise after mid-November.

To find the best prices, start your search three months before your intended travel dates—though don’t hesitate to grab any good deals you find sooner.

This aligns with Google’s findings:

• Thanksgiving flights are usually cheapest 35 days before departure.
• Christmas and New Year flights tend to have their lowest prices 51 days before departure.

I highly recommend Google Flights for setting alerts on specific destinations.

Also, booking now might offer a fare credit if prices drop later—provided you steer clear of basic economy fares. That’s why we at Flying Frugal recommend opting for standard economy instead.

Related: Airlines offering fare credits if prices drop

2025 Holiday Pricing Trends

Our latest report on holiday airfare trends brings disappointing news. According to new data from Points Path, fares for both Thanksgiving and Christmas are up year over year, with a few exceptions.

Points Path is a free browser extension that allows you to compare points and cash fares in Google Flights, analyzing flight pricing based on extensive search data.

Related: How to use the Points Path extension for comparing cash and award rates in Google Flights

Thanksgiving Flight Prices

We analyzed over 100,000 flights during Thanksgiving week, focusing on domestic economy and international premium cabins. The data, collected on October 19, shows overall coach prices in the U.S. rose about 3.4% year over year, averaging just under $586.

For domestic flights, business class and premium economy prices saw slight decreases of 1%-5%, while first-class fares spiked by an impressive 12%.

International coach prices increased by around 3%, but premium classes are seeing significant drops of 6% to 35%.

This is encouraging news for those considering splurging on premium international flights.

Christmas Flight Prices

For Christmas, domestic economy fares average $639, a slight increase from $633 in 2024, equating to about a 1% rise year over year.

Premium cabins have experienced even steeper year-over-year increases of 8% to 16%. However, international fares, averaging $1,258 for coach tickets, show some decline.

Sadly, the earlier year-over-year decrease in fares hasn’t persisted into the holiday season, leading to overall higher costs—particularly for domestic flights.

However, prices won’t likely drop much further, so it’s advisable to book now.

Additional Tips for Affordable Holiday Flights

There are various strategies to reduce your holiday travel costs.

Utilizing points and miles is especially beneficial when fares are high, maximizing their value during peak travel seasons.

Whenever possible, plan your travel around off-peak days and times. Flights midweek or on Christmas Day itself may offer better deals compared to traveling right before the holiday.

Flights during red-eye hours or early in the morning are also usually cheaper and could help you avoid crowded airport lines.

Lastly, set alerts on Google Flights and keep an eye on pricing in the coming weeks.

In Conclusion

According to Points Path and Flying Frugal, fares for the 2025 holidays are on average higher than in previous years. However, now is the time to book for the best chance at lower prices for the Christmas season. Waiting any longer may result in further costs.

We recommend booking domestic flights one to two months in advance, and remember, if you’re using airline miles, it’s never too early to start your search.

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