Holiday airfare prices are soaring to 10-year highs, a major concern for Americans planning Thanksgiving and Christmas travel. Hopper, a travel-booking company, released the 2026 Holiday Travel Index, which shows significant increases in airline costs compared to the previous year.
The index analyzed flight searches from September, noting domestic round-trip fares for Thanksgiving are averaging $402, marking a 31% increase from last year. International flights, especially to Europe, Mexico, and Central America, have seen similar increases. For Christmas travel, domestic fares are averaging $452, up 23%, while international flights have also increased significantly.
Gary Leff, an aviation expert, points out the impact of price hikes on families traveling together. “The increases multiply with more passengers,” Leff said. He advises monitoring ticket prices post-purchase to potentially recover costs if fares drop.
Leff suggests avoiding basic economy tickets, as most other tickets no longer incur change fees. This flexibility allows travelers to adjust tickets if prices fall, possibly receiving credits for cheaper future fares. However, traditional strategies like flying from alternate airports or choosing connecting flights don’t always reduce costs due to additional expenses like transportation and parking.
Travelers should also be cautious with connecting flights during busy holiday seasons, as it increases the chance of travel disruptions. Leff advises considering mile usage for future savings, whether or not you already have them.
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