Holiday Airfare 2026: Why Flights Cost More And How To Save

Holiday flights in 2026 are the most expensive they’ve been in about a decade. According to travel app Hopper, a domestic round-trip over Thanksgiving now averages about $402, up 31% from last year, and a Christmas round-trip averages about $452, up 23%. The main driver is jet fuel, which is close to a record high. The good news is that a few smart moves, like booking before Halloween and avoiding a handful of peak days, can still save you real money.

Here’s what’s pushing fares up, which days to fly and which to avoid, and how to keep your holiday trip from blowing up your budget.

Why Holiday Airfares Are So High in 2026

Fuel is one of an airline’s biggest costs. Industry analysts say jet fuel typically makes up as much as 30% of an airline’s operating costs, CBS News reports. When that cost doubles, ticket prices follow.

And it has roughly doubled. The average price of jet fuel in the U.S. topped $4.75 per gallon this week, according to the tracking firm Argus, which is close to an all-time high and almost twice what it was a year ago, NPR reported on October 23.

The spike traces back to the conflict involving Iran, which has choked oil flows from the Middle East. Citing the International Air Transport Association (IATA), CBS News notes that jet fuel averaged about $99 a barrel globally before the war began in late February, peaked at $209 in April, and was still around $195 a barrel in mid-September. To cover the difference, airlines have raised fares, added passenger surcharges and cut some routes.

“Airfares right now are at what we see as a 10-year high because of the high cost of jet fuel,” Hopper lead economist Hayley Berg told NPR. “Airlines have to pass on these super high jet fuel prices in the form of higher fares to consumers.”

It’s not just flights

Hotels are pricier too. Hopper’s data shows Christmas hotel stays averaging $197 a night, about 18% more than in 2025, according to CNBC Select. If you’re staying with family, that’s one cost you can dodge. If you’re not, it’s worth comparing hotels with short-term rentals, and our guide to how well-run vacation rentals operate can help you spot a good one.

Which regions are hit hardest

Not every route is rising at the same pace. Flight deals app Going found the Midwest is seeing the biggest year-over-year jumps for Thanksgiving, while travelers flying to and from the Northeast face the most sticker shock at Christmas, The Points Guy reports.

When to Book Holiday Flights: Do It Now

The clearest advice from experts this year is simple: don’t wait. Berg told CBS News that travelers should lock in fares for both Thanksgiving and Christmas before Halloween, after which she expects prices to spike. Fares aren’t expected to fall as the holidays get closer, and while oil flows from the Middle East have recovered to more than 75% of pre-war volumes, an energy analyst at Eurasia Group told CBS that crude prices will take longer to come down.

Historical data backs up the timing. Based on five years of aggregated data, Google Flights says:

Thanksgiving: prices usually hit their lowest about 34 days before departure, within a low range of 21 to 57 days out. With Thanksgiving on November 26, that sweet spot lands right around now.
Christmas: the lowest prices typically appear about 56 days before departure, within a low range of 33 to 67 days, which puts the best deals between late October and mid-November.
Domestic flights in general: the lowest prices tend to come about 39 days out.

What if the price drops after you book?

Book early, but keep an eye on the fare. Most major U.S. carriers let you change a ticket after booking, and The Points Guy notes you can sometimes cancel and rebook yourself if the price falls. Avoid the cheapest basic economy fares if you want that flexibility, since those usually come with the strictest change rules. Check your airline’s policy before you buy.

The Cheapest and Most Expensive Days to Fly

When you fly matters far more than which day you hit “buy.” Google Flights found that booking on a Wednesday saves only about 1.4% compared with Sunday, but departing on a Monday and returning on a Tuesday or Wednesday saves about 14% compared with weekend flights.

Thanksgiving 2026

Cheapest day to leave: Monday, November 23, according to data from Points Path cited by The Points Guy. Berg also recommends flying Monday or Tuesday rather than Wednesday, November 25, when airports will be packed.
Best days to come home: Black Friday, Saturday morning, or the following Monday or Tuesday.
Day to avoid: Sunday, November 29. Berg told CBS News you’ll pay about $250 more per round-trip ticket to fly that day, and Points Path puts Sunday fares roughly 40% above Black Friday’s.

Christmas and New Year’s 2026

Days to avoid: December 18, 19 and 20, plus Sunday, December 27, according to Hopper. Points Path also flags Sunday, January 3, as one of the most expensive days of the season.
Better bets: weekdays just before and after Christmas.

7 Practical Ways to Save on Holiday Travel This Year

Book before Halloween. It’s the single biggest lever experts are pointing to this season.
Shift your dates by a day or two. Leaving Monday instead of Wednesday, or returning Tuesday instead of Sunday, can save hundreds on a family trip.
Consider a connection. Google Flights data shows nonstop tickets cost about 20% more on average than connecting itineraries.
Be flexible about where you go. If your trip isn’t a visit home, compare destinations that offer a similar experience. Berg told CBS this can save hundreds of dollars on a round-trip ticket.
Use price tracking. Google Flights shows whether today’s price is low, typical or high for your route, and can alert you to changes.
Check nearby airports. A secondary airport within driving distance sometimes has noticeably cheaper fares.
Use points and miles. If you’ve been saving rewards, a high-fare year is a good time to redeem them, since cash prices are inflated.

If you’re heading abroad instead, Google Flights data shows international fares usually bottom out about 89 days before departure, so for winter trips overseas the advice is to book as soon as you can. Planning a European getaway? Our tips for visiting the Colosseum will help you make the most of a trip to Rome.

Will People Still Travel?

Despite the prices, Berg told NPR that travelers seem willing to pay for their big holiday trips. “We’re at the time of year where travel is really sticky,” she said. “Even with higher prices, travelers are unlikely to make major changes to their traditional holiday home for the holiday trips.”

That matches broader research. MMGY’s fall 2026 Portrait of American Travelers found that 35% of Americans are traveling off-peak and 32% are cutting spending elsewhere to protect their vacation budgets, Groups Today reports. And if flying just doesn’t make sense this year, hosting at home can be just as memorable; a few family board game nights go a long way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are Thanksgiving flights in 2026?

Hopper estimates domestic round-trip Thanksgiving fares average about $402, up 31% (about $95) from last year.

How much are Christmas flights in 2026?

Domestic round-trip Christmas fares average about $452, up 23% (about $85) from 2025, according to Hopper.

Why are flights so expensive right now?

Jet fuel prices are near a record after the conflict involving Iran disrupted Middle East oil supplies. U.S. jet fuel topped $4.75 a gallon this week, almost double last year’s level, and airlines are passing that cost on through higher fares and surcharges.

Should I wait for holiday flight prices to drop?

Experts say no. Hopper expects fares to rise after Halloween, so booking now and watching for a price drop you can rebook into is the safer approach.

What’s the worst day to fly after Thanksgiving?

Sunday, November 29. It’s expected to be the busiest and most expensive day of the holiday, costing roughly $250 more per round trip than nearby days.

Featured image: “Departures board at Miami Airport in Florida, US” by Bobby Hidy, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.