Holiday Airfares Hit a 10-Year High: Thanksgiving Tickets Up 31%, Christmas Up 23%

Domestic round-trip fares for Thanksgiving now average about $402, up 31% from a year ago, while Christmas trips average $452, up 23%, making this the most expensive holiday flying season in a decade. Jet fuel costs tied to the Iran war are the main driver, and the cheapest fixes are booking before Halloween and moving your travel days by a day or two.

What the 2026 Holiday Fare Numbers Show

Thanksgiving: $402 average round trip, +$95 · Christmas: $452, +$85 · Source: Hopper data

The CBS News report on holiday airfares puts the Thanksgiving average at $402 and Christmas at $452, and Unusual Whales confirms the 31% and 23% year-over-year jumps, the highest of the past decade.

Why Fares Jumped: Jet Fuel Roughly Doubled

Jet fuel peak: $209 a barrel in April · Mid-September: $195 · Pre-war level: about $99

CBS reports that the war with Iran, which began in late February, disrupted Middle East oil flows and pushed jet fuel to $209 a barrel in April and $195 in mid-September. Hopper economist Hayley Berg told CBS that a cost increase this large leaves airlines little choice but to raise prices. CBS's airlines coverage also noted in July that jet fuel prices had eased while fares stayed high, a sign that carriers were unlikely to pass savings on; see the CBS News airlines page for the running headlines. Because fuel is one of an airline's largest costs, the effect shows up quickly in ticket prices, and the recent peak leaves little room for discounting before the holidays. Our earlier coverage of the jet fuel crisis and holiday airfares tracked the same trend as it built over the summer.

Fewer Cheap Seats to Fall Back On

Key change: Spirit Airlines stopped operating in May · Effect: fewer budget options on domestic routes

ABC News quotes Katy Nastro of Flighty describing higher prices plus fewer affordable options, particularly since Spirit ceased operations in May; see the full ABC News holiday booking guide. Fewer low-cost carriers means less price pressure on the remaining airlines, which can keep fares elevated even on routes that still have plenty of seats. Capacity cuts by the big carriers add to the squeeze, as we detailed when United, American and Southwest trimmed flights.

International Fares Are Rising Too, Though Less Sharply

Mexico and Central America: +23% · Europe: +15% · Middle East: capacity still constrained

ABC News reports that holiday fares to Mexico and Central America are up 23% and to Europe up 15%. Gulf routes remain the most disrupted: Cathay Pacific extended its Dubai and Riyadh suspensions through January 2027, a reminder that the conflict is still reshaping airline networks. Travelers flying to Asia through the Gulf should check whether their airline still serves the hub before buying, since rerouting often means longer itineraries and higher fares.

Cheapest Days to Fly for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day: Nov. 26 · Cheap departures: Mon. Nov. 23 (about $370) or Thanksgiving Day (about $371) · Worst return: Sun. Nov. 29 (about $604)

ABC's data shows that returning Monday or Tuesday instead of Sunday saves roughly $250 per ticket. CBS reaches the same conclusion: fly out Monday or Tuesday rather than Wednesday, and avoid Sunday, Nov. 29, for the trip home.

Cheapest Days to Fly for Christmas

Best departures: Mon./Tue. before Dec. 25 (about $440) · Savings: about 18% on Dec. 21-22 · Avoid: Sun. Dec. 27

ABC reports that leaving on Dec. 21 or 22 saves about 18%, while Sunday, Dec. 27 fares run about 20% higher. CBS advises avoiding Dec. 18-20 as well. Regional reports from ABC Columbia and Forever Delmarva echo the same advice, and local outlets such as KWQC are repeating the same date guidance for regional travelers. The pattern is consistent: Monday and Tuesday travel before the holiday and mid-week returns cost less than the Sunday rush, and the gap is large enough to justify taking an extra vacation day. Families booking several seats should run the numbers per person, because a $250 difference on each ticket adds up quickly.

How to Book Smarter Before Prices Climb Further

Deadline: book before Halloween · Tactics: compare one-way fares, fly from hubs, stay flexible on dates

The syndicated CBS piece on AOL repeats the advice, and CBS adds that comparing similar destinations can save hundreds of dollars on a round trip. CBS and ABC both recommend locking in fares before Halloween, comparing one-way tickets against round trips, and checking major hub airports. Capacity is growing in places: Aviation Week's routes roundup lists Delta's new Boston-Venice and Detroit-Athens flights for summer 2027, while AwardWallet's travel news roundup covers new partnerships. Heading to the mountains instead? Our guide to the best ski resorts for 2026-27 shows where opening dates land around the holidays.

People also ask

How much are Thanksgiving flights in 2026?

Hopper data reported by CBS News and ABC News puts the average domestic Thanksgiving round trip at about $402, roughly $95 and 31% higher than last year. Flying Monday, Nov. 23 or on Thanksgiving Day itself, at about $370, is cheaper than the Wednesday rush.

Why are airfares so high this holiday season?

Jet fuel is the main reason. Following the Iran war's disruption of Middle East oil flows, fuel peaked at $209 a barrel in April and hit $195 in mid-September, versus about $99 before the war. Spirit Airlines' May shutdown also removed a low-cost option from many domestic routes.

When should I book Christmas flights?

Both CBS News and ABC News advise booking before Halloween, since fares typically rise as the holidays approach. Christmas round trips already average about $452, and departing Monday or Tuesday before Dec. 25 runs about $440, with Dec. 21-22 departures saving roughly 18%.

What is the most expensive day to fly home after Thanksgiving?

Sunday, Nov. 29 is the priciest return day, with fares around $604 according to the data ABC News reported. Returning Monday or Tuesday instead saves roughly $250 per ticket, so extending the trip by a day or two is the simplest way to cut costs.

Are international holiday flights also more expensive?

Yes, but the increases are smaller than domestic ones. ABC News reports holiday fares to Mexico and Central America are up 23% and to Europe up 15%. Flights touching the Gulf remain disrupted, with Cathay Pacific suspending Dubai and Riyadh service through January 2027.

Facts checked against current sources as of September 30, 2026; fares and schedules change quickly, so confirm prices with airlines before booking.