Thanksgiving and Christmas Flights: How to Fly Home Without Overpaying

Why holiday flights cost so much

On Thanksgiving and Christmas, millions of people want to be in the same place on the same few days, and airlines price accordingly. TSA has recorded more than three million passengers in a single day around the Thanksgiving weekend in recent years, and planes are as full as they get all year.

The flip side is that the pattern is predictable, which means you can plan around it. A few days' difference in when you fly can change the fare by hundreds of dollars, and knowing which days are cheapest is half the battle. For detailed date advice, see our guides to Thanksgiving 2026 flights and Christmas and New Year 2026 flights.

The calendar for 2026

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday 26 November 2026, Christmas Day is a Friday and New Year's Day follows on another Friday. That gives most people two long weekends, and it shapes the busiest days.

For Thanksgiving, the Wednesday before and the Sunday after are the heaviest. For Christmas, the weekend before, from the 18th to the 20th, and the days from the 26th to the 28th are the peaks, with the 24th and the 25th often much quieter and cheaper. Check your own dates against that map.

What actually changes if you fly a day earlier or later

On a typical route, flying on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving instead of the Wednesday can save more than a hundred dollars each way, and being flexible about the return gives a similar saving. For a family of four, that can add up to the cost of the holiday meal.

Not everyone can take extra days off, but even a single morning off can be worth it. Ask your employer about working remotely for a day, since a Wednesday flight at a quiet hour often costs a lot less than an afternoon one.

Fly on the holiday itself

The single most reliable trick is to fly on the day itself, whether that is Thanksgiving morning or Christmas Day. Flights are less crowded and fares are often noticeably lower, since most people want to be at their destination by then.

The same applies to the day before Christmas. If your family can manage a late meal or a gathering the day after, you may save a lot of money and avoid the busiest airports. Early morning flights on the holiday are the most reliable.

The cheapest days around the holidays

For Thanksgiving, Tuesday and the Thursday morning are usually the cheapest outbound options, while Monday and Tuesday after the holiday are typically cheapest for the return. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most expensive and the most crowded.

For Christmas, the 24th, the 25th and the days after the 29th are often cheaper. Returning in early January is cheaper than the weekend of the 27th and 28th. Use a flexible-date view to compare, since patterns shift with the day of the week on which the holiday falls.

When to book

For Thanksgiving, aim to book by early October, and for Christmas, by early to mid-November. Waiting past those dates risks sharp increases, and the cheapest seats go first.

If you are flying with a family, book earlier so that you can sit together. Set a price alert and buy when a fare falls within your budget. Our notes on tracking fare drops and the best time to book flights in 2026 explain the method.

Winter weather and where it hits

Winter storms in the Midwest and Northeast, ice in the South and heavy snow in the Rockies are the main sources of delays. A single storm at a hub can cancel flights across the network.

When you can, avoid connecting through northern hubs such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit and Denver in December, and choose a southern or West Coast connection instead. A nonstop is even better. Take the first flight of the day, which is the least likely to be delayed.

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What to do before a storm hits

If a big storm is forecast for your travel day, act before it arrives. Many airlines issue travel waivers that let you change your flight without a fee, sometimes to a different date or even a nearby airport. Check the airline's app and website the day before.

Move to an earlier flight if you can, since cancellations tend to cluster later in the day. Do not wait until you are at the airport, because by then the alternative seats may be gone. Keep your phone charged and have the airline's number saved.

Nonstop or connecting for the holidays?

A nonstop is almost always the better holiday choice, even if it costs a bit more. There is one flight to go wrong, and if it is cancelled, there is a better chance of being rebooked on the next one.

If you must connect, allow at least two hours between flights and avoid the last flight of the day. Our guide to nonstop versus connecting flights and the one on tight layovers explain how to judge the risk.

Flexible or basic fares?

With so many things that can go wrong at this time of year, a fare that can be changed is more valuable than usual. Basic economy tickets are cheaper, but they are restrictive and usually cannot be changed.

If your plans are firm and the saving is big, a basic fare can make sense. If not, a standard fare is safer. Our comparison of basic and standard economy explains what you give up.

Packing gifts, pies and holiday food

TSA allows wrapped gifts in carry-on and checked bags, but officers may need to unwrap them for inspection, so wrap them after you arrive or use gift bags. Solid foods such as pies, cakes and cookies are fine in carry-on bags, while liquids and gels, including gravy, cranberry sauce and spreads, must follow the 3.4-ounce rule or go in checked bags.

Frozen food with dry ice has limits on quantity and needs to be marked. Our guide to the TSA liquids rule explains what counts as a liquid, and our guide to carry-on size rules will help you fit the rest.

Making the airport part easier

Holiday airports are loud, packed and slow, and the biggest stress is usually arriving late. Leave earlier than you think you need to, particularly for the first flights of the morning, and check the parking situation, since lots fill up. Many airports let you reserve a space online.

Eat before you go through security if you can, bring an empty water bottle and a charger, and take a few snacks for children. A calm start to the day makes every delay easier to take.

Flying with children

Holiday flights are crowded and children need extra preparation. Book seats together, bring snacks, entertainment and a change of clothes, and allow plenty of time at the airport. Most airlines allow a stroller and car seat to be checked for free.

Infants under two can fly as lap infants on domestic flights, though a seat is safer. Our guide to travelling with a lap infant explains the rules.

How to read a fare calendar at the holidays

A fare calendar on a search engine shows the lowest price for each day, and at the holidays the pattern is dramatic. You will see a few cheap days around the holiday itself and a wall of expensive ones either side. Look for the valleys, then check whether your plans can bend to match.

It helps to look at one-way fares as well as round trips, since mixing the cheapest outbound with the cheapest return is sometimes possible. Do not forget to check nearby airports, which can show a different pattern.

Pets and holiday travel

Many airlines limit the number of pets in the cabin, and there are embargoes on checked pets in very hot or cold weather. If you plan to travel with a pet, book early and check the rules.

Our guide to travelling with pets on a flight explains the options. Consider whether a drive or a pet sitter is a less stressful choice, particularly in extreme weather.

Driving instead of flying

For trips under about six hours, driving can be cheaper and less stressful, especially for families. You avoid bag fees and airports and can carry gifts and food.

Winter roads can be hazardous, and traffic on the days before Thanksgiving is heavy, so leave early in the day and avoid the busiest hours. A hybrid approach, flying one way and driving the other, is sometimes the best compromise.

Using points and miles

Holiday award seats are scarce and expensive in points, but if you have a stash of miles, booking early helps. Some programs release more seats close to departure, and sweet spots exist for short flights.

Compare the points price with the cash price, and remember that taxes and fees still apply. Our guide to credit cards for flight booking explains how to earn rewards for future holiday trips.

Travelling from abroad for the holidays

If you are an American living overseas or a visitor coming to the US for Thanksgiving or Christmas, fares across the Atlantic and Pacific are also at their peak. The cheapest days tend to be the middle of the week and the days around the holiday itself.

Book as early as you can, and check connections at US hubs, since winter storms can disrupt them. Check entry rules, such as visas or travel authorizations, well ahead of time.

Splitting the holidays between two families

Many people have to see more than one set of relatives, and that makes a trip harder to plan. A multi-city ticket, flying to one city, then on to another before returning home, can be cheaper than two separate round trips.

Our guide to multi-city versus round-trip tickets explains how to compare. If you are driving between the two, allow for slow roads and short days in December, and avoid driving at night after a long flight.

Delays, cancellations and your rights

If your flight is cancelled, rebook through the airline app straight away and ask for a refund if you do not want to travel. Keep your receipts, and know that US rules now require automatic refunds in many cases.

Our guides to delay and cancellation rights and cancellation compensation rights in the US explain what you can ask for. Travel insurance can also help with hotel and meal costs.

A holiday travel checklist

Check IDs and Real ID status, confirm your seats and bags, download the airline app, charge your devices and plan your journey to the airport. Check the weather forecast for both ends of your trip a few days ahead.

Pack essentials, such as medication and chargers, in your carry-on in case checked bags are delayed. Leave extra time for security and parking, and have a plan for if things go wrong.

How we can help

Give us your home airport, dates and how many are travelling, and a specialist can compare days, airports and airlines to find the best holiday fare. We can also help with group bookings and flexible options.

Have a play with the live fares below, shifting the dates by a day or two each time. Found a fare you like? A quick call lets us check the baggage terms and change conditions before any money leaves your account.

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Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions travelers ask before booking.

When is Thanksgiving in 2026?

Thanksgiving is on Thursday 26 November 2026. The Wednesday before and the Sunday after are the busiest days to fly.

What is the cheapest day to fly at Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Day itself and the Tuesday before are usually cheapest for outbound, and the Monday and Tuesday after for the return.

What is the cheapest day to fly at Christmas?

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the days after the 29th are often cheapest. The weekend before and the 26th to 28th are the busiest.

When should I book holiday flights?

For Thanksgiving, by early October. For Christmas, by early to mid-November. Waiting longer risks sharp price increases.

Should I fly nonstop at the holidays?

Yes, if you can. There is only one flight to go wrong, and rebooking is easier if it is cancelled.

Can I take pie on a plane?

Yes. Solid foods such as pies and cakes are allowed in carry-on bags. Liquids and gels, such as gravy or cranberry sauce, must follow the 3.4-ounce rule or go in checked bags.

Should I wrap presents before flying?

It is easier to wrap after arriving or use gift bags, since security officers may need to open wrapped gifts for inspection.

Is a basic economy fare a good idea at the holidays?

Only if your plans are firm and the saving is large. Basic fares usually cannot be changed, and holiday disruptions are common.

Is it cheaper to drive at the holidays?

For trips under about six hours, often yes, but winter roads and heavy traffic can be difficult. Leave early in the day.

What if my flight is cancelled?

Rebook through the airline app straight away, ask for a refund if you do not want to travel, and keep your receipts. US rules require automatic refunds in many cases.

Cheap Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Flights