Holiday Flights 2026: When to Book Thanksgiving and Christmas Travel
If you've been waiting for holiday airfare to drop, I have some bad news and some useful news.
The bad news is that Thanksgiving and Christmas flights are shaping up to be considerably more expensive this year. According to Hopper, average domestic holiday airfares have reached their highest levels in about a decade.
The useful news is that October is one of the most important months for booking holiday flights, and there's still time to compare your options before the busiest travel dates arrive.
If you're wondering when to book holiday flights in 2026, the short answer is that now is a good time to start making decisions, especially for Thanksgiving.
Here's the longer answer.
Busy airports are part of holiday travel, making advance flight planning especially valuable.
Why Holiday Flights Cost So Much This Year
According to Hopper's 2026 Holiday Travel Index, the average domestic round-trip airfare for Thanksgiving is approximately $402, up 31% from 2025.
Christmas flights are averaging $452 round trip, an increase of 23%.
Those are significant increases, especially if you're buying tickets for several family members.
Hopper points to elevated jet fuel costs as an important contributor to this year's higher prices. Holiday travel demand and the limited number of seats available on popular routes can also make finding an affordable flight challenging.
Hotels tell a slightly different story.
Average domestic hotel rates for Thanksgiving are approximately $170 per night, roughly in line with last year. Christmas hotel rates are averaging $197 per night, an increase of 18%.
That doesn't mean every flight or hotel will cost those amounts. They're national averages, and prices can vary dramatically depending on your destination, departure airport, travel dates, and how far in advance you book.
But they do show why planning matters this year.
With holiday airfares already elevated, I wouldn't build my entire travel plan around hoping for a last-minute price drop.
When to Book Thanksgiving Flights
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
According to Google's 2026 flight booking research, Thanksgiving airfare has historically been lowest around 34 days before departure, with a broader window of relatively low prices between approximately 21 and 57 days before departure.
For travelers flying during Thanksgiving week, that puts much of October in an important booking window.
Hopper also recommends getting Thanksgiving flights booked before Halloween.
Personally, I wouldn't treat October 23 or any other specific date as a magic day when airline tickets suddenly become cheaper.
Airfare changes constantly, and the best time to book your particular flight depends on the route, demand, and prices available when you're searching.
I'd compare flights now, set a price alert if I needed a little more time, and book when I found an itinerary and price I was comfortable with.
Which Days Are Better for Thanksgiving Travel?
The day you travel can matter just as much as when you purchase the ticket. Hopper's 2026 research identifies a few useful options:
Monday, November 23: Among the more affordable departure dates, with average fares around $370.
Thanksgiving Day, November 26: Another comparatively affordable departure option, with average fares around $371.
Wednesday, November 25: A more expensive departure day, particularly for travelers trying to arrive immediately before Thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 29: A popular return date that can be especially expensive.
These are national averages rather than guaranteed prices for every route.
If your schedule allows it, I'd compare departures a day or two earlier or later than your original plan.
And if flying on Thanksgiving Day means missing part of the holiday, I'd weigh that against the savings. Sometimes the cheapest ticket isn't the best trip.
When to Book Christmas Flights
Christmas falls on Friday, December 25, 2026.
Google's 2026 research found that Christmas flights have historically been cheapest around 56 days before departure, with a broader lower-price booking window approximately 33 to 67 days before departure.
That generally points toward late October and early November for many Christmas travel dates.
So if you're planning both Thanksgiving and Christmas travel, I'd prioritize Thanksgiving first, then turn my attention to Christmas.
But I wouldn't automatically wait until November if I already found a good Christmas fare.
The dates you choose also matter.
Hopper's 2026 Holiday Travel Index identifies December 18 through December 20 as particularly expensive Christmas departure dates, with average fares approaching $500.
Departing on Monday, December 21 or Tuesday, December 22 may offer a better value, with average fares around $440 in Hopper's analysis.
For the return trip, Sunday, December 27 is another date worth comparing carefully. Hopper reports that fares on that day are approximately 20% higher than some early-week return options.
Again, these are trends across the market, not promises about individual flights.
What About International Christmas Travel?
International trips deserve a little more planning.
Long-haul flights can involve fewer convenient schedules, longer connections, different baggage allowances, and higher costs if you need to change your itinerary.
Hopper identifies Tokyo, Bangkok, London, Paris, and Mexico City among popular international Christmas destinations.
Tokyo is one destination I can personally recommend exploring.
I've traveled to Japan, and it's the kind of destination where I would absolutely want to plan the flight and transportation carefully rather than leave everything until the last minute.
If Japan is on your holiday travel list, my Japan destination page is a good place to start planning.
Five Ways to Pay Less and Stress Less
Booking at the right time is helpful, but it isn't the only way to keep holiday travel costs under control.
Here are five things I'd consider before buying a ticket.
Set a price alert.
Google Flights and other flight search platforms can track airfare changes.
That doesn't guarantee you'll catch the absolute lowest price, but it gives you a better way to follow fares than repeatedly checking the same flight and guessing.
Compare nearby airports.
Sometimes flying from another airport can save a surprising amount of money.
But I'd calculate the entire cost before switching airports, including transportation, parking, tolls, and any additional travel time.
Saving $80 on airfare isn't necessarily worth spending $120 getting to the airport.
Check baggage fees before choosing the cheapest ticket.
A low advertised airfare can become much less attractive once you add checked baggage, seat selection, and other extras.
You can use the Checked Bag Fees tool and Airline Bag Size Checker on Glucose Getaways to help compare your options.
I'd still verify the final rules and charges directly with the airline before booking.
Compare paying cash with using miles or points.
If you have airline miles or travel rewards, the holidays may be a good time to check what they're worth.
But award flights aren't automatically a better deal.
I'd compare the cash price against the miles required, taxes, fees, and any restrictions before deciding.
Be flexible by a day or two.
This is probably one of the simplest things I'd try.
Compare the day before, the day after, and even a slightly longer trip if your schedule allows it.
Sometimes moving your flight by one day can make a meaningful difference.
Comparing flights, travel dates, and booking options can help you make more informed travel decisions.
Build in a Buffer for Connections and Delays
When nonstop flights are expensive, a connecting flight can start looking pretty attractive.
Sometimes it really is the better option.
But holiday travel brings another challenge.
Flights are busy, winter weather can affect multiple airports, and missing a connection can be particularly frustrating when later flights are already full.
That's why I prefer giving myself a reasonable connection buffer rather than choosing the shortest layover available just because the ticket is cheaper.
You can use the Connection Time Checker on Glucose Getaways to help evaluate a potential layover.
Just remember that no connection time tool can guarantee that a flight will arrive on schedule.
I learned how quickly travel plans can unravel on my first international trip.
Fog delayed my flight into Lisbon, and my connection ended up taking considerably longer than expected.
By the time I arrived in Rome, the train I'd planned to catch was already gone.
I eventually got where I needed to go, but the experience reminded me how one delay can affect the rest of a trip.
I shared more about that experience in the story of my first international trip with type 1 diabetes.
And if I'm traveling with diabetes supplies, I have another reason to take connections seriously.
A missed flight isn't just an inconvenience when you also need to think about medication, food, glucose monitoring, and having enough supplies for unexpected delays.
Flying During the Holidays With Diabetes Supplies
Holiday travel already comes with enough moving parts.
For those of us traveling with diabetes, there are a few more things worth preparing for.
I live with type 1 diabetes, and these are some of the habits I've developed from traveling with insulin, an insulin pump, glucose monitoring equipment, and backup supplies.
This is my personal approach, not a set of medical instructions for everyone.
Everything Important Stays in My Carry-On
I keep my essential diabetes supplies with me rather than putting them in checked luggage.
That includes insulin, pump supplies, glucose monitoring equipment, and treatments for low blood sugar.
The FDA recommends carrying insulin and insulin pump supplies in carry-on luggage because checked bags can be delayed, lost, or damaged.
Medication storage matters too. I follow the instructions for my specific insulin and protect it from temperatures outside its recommended range.
I Pack for Delays, Not Just the Flight Schedule
I don't want to plan my supplies around the assumption that every flight will depart and arrive exactly on time.
That means having appropriate backups and keeping glucose treatments somewhere I can actually reach them.
Being stuck on an aircraft or waiting through a lengthy delay is not when I want to discover that something important is buried in another bag.
The amount and type of backup medication or equipment someone needs will depend on their treatment plan, so that's something worth discussing with their healthcare team before traveling.
I Allow Extra Time for Airport Security
When I approach security, I tell the TSA officer about my insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor.
I also communicate my screening preferences and follow the applicable device manufacturer's instructions.
The TSA provides guidance for travelers carrying diabetes supplies, and alternative screening procedures may be available depending on the device and circumstances.
I don't assume every airport or checkpoint experience will be identical.
If you'd like a more detailed look at my own routine, I wrote a separate article explaining what I do at airport security when flying with type 1 diabetes.
A little preparation here can make an already busy travel day feel much more manageable.
Book It, Then Enjoy It
Here's how I'd approach holiday flights in 2026.
For Thanksgiving, I'd start comparing fares immediately and aim to have my plans finalized during October.
For Christmas, I'd pay particular attention to late October and early November, while remaining willing to book earlier if I found a flight that worked for my schedule and budget.
And for both holidays, I'd compare alternative departure dates before assuming the most convenient day is my only option.
I generally like getting the flight booked early in my travel planning process.
Once I have the ticket, the trip stops being an idea and becomes something real on the calendar.
Then I can focus on everything else.
Where I'm staying.
What I'm going to see.
What I need to pack.
And, of course, making sure my diabetes supplies are ready to go.
Holiday travel may be expensive this year, but the point of the trip isn't just the plane ticket.
It's the people you're going to see, the places you're going to experience, and the memories you'll bring home.
Prepare for the delays. Bring the backups. Then go enjoy the trip.
Get Ready for Your Next Trip
Before you pack, take a look at the free Diabetes Travel Planner on Glucose Getaways. It's designed to help you think through important travel preparations, including diabetes supplies and other essentials.
And if planning a holiday trip has you thinking about somewhere new next year, you can explore all Glucose Getaways destinations for inspiration and practical travel information.
Sources & Official Travel Information
Airfare prices, booking windows, flight schedules, baggage policies, and airport security procedures can change. These are the primary sources used to research this article.
Hopper: 2026 Holiday Travel Index →
Google: 2026 Holiday Travel Trends →
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Traveling With an Insulin Pump →
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Insulin Storage →
Transportation Security Administration: Medical Items →
Travel & Health Note
This article is provided for general informational purposes and includes personal travel experiences alongside publicly available airfare and travel information. Flight prices, booking trends, travel schedules, airline policies, and security procedures can change without notice. Diabetes management, medication storage, device screening requirements, and travel preparation needs vary from person to person. Always verify current information with airlines, transportation authorities, and official sources, and speak with your healthcare provider about your individual medical needs.
