With the summer vacation season still in full swing, it may seem early to think about booking holiday flights. However, with airfare prices up significantly over the past five months, it might be wise to book those flights sooner rather than later.
Holiday Airfare on the Rise
Average ticket prices were up 27% in June compared to last year, and the trend is expected to continue through the holiday season. According to data from Points Path, round-trip domestic fares for Thanksgiving are running nearly 13% more expensive than in 2025, while domestic fares for Christmas and New Year’s are up about 18%.
International flights are also seeing a significant increase in prices, with average fares up about 19% over last year. The conflict in Iran has led to a surge in global oil prices, which has resulted in higher jet fuel costs for airlines. As a result, airlines have been passing these increased costs on to passengers in the form of higher fares.
Why You Should Book Now
While it may be tempting to wait and see if prices come down, experts warn that this could be a risky strategy. With airfare prices already elevated, waiting for a discount may not result in significant savings. In fact, last year’s pricing trends suggest that waiting could result in even higher prices. According to Points Path data, Thanksgiving fares rose with each passing month starting in July, with the sharpest fare jump happening in mid-September.
To avoid holiday sticker shock, it’s recommended that you purchase your Thanksgiving flights as soon as possible, but no later than Labor Day weekend. For Christmas and New Year’s, fares tend to start high and stay high, so waiting may not offer much in the way of cost savings.
If you do book now and prices come down later, there are options to rebook and save. Many airlines will allow you to change your ticket or cancel and rebook, although you may not get a full refund. You can also use fare-tracking tools to help you rebook and save if your flight’s price drops after you book.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
