New data is showing that holiday airfare averages are decreasing significantly for the upcoming holiday season. After years of increasing prices and fully booked flights, travelers are finally seeing a break in costs. Thanksgiving prices have dropped by 6% and December holiday fares are down by 9% compared to previous years. The average Thanksgiving fare for 2024 is $439, marking a three-year low in interest for domestic flights.
The top destinations for Thanksgiving this year include Orlando, San Juan, Honolulu, and Miami. Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) are expected to be the busiest airports in the country during the festive season. International travel is also on the rise, with 71% of flight interest around Christmas focused on three popular destinations: Cancun, Tokyo, and London. Those traveling to the Twin Cities for Thanksgiving can expect to save big, with average fares to Minneapolis at just $337 during the busy holiday.
For Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve travel, Minneapolis once again offers affordable fares with an average of $362. International destinations that are still affordable during peak times include The Bahamas, Mexico City, Tulum in Mexico, Reykjavik in Iceland, and Cancun, Mexico. Google Flights has also reported strong interest in international travel during the holidays, with Cancun, Tokyo, London, and Paris among the top 10 most searched spots for Thanksgiving trips.
Overall, the holiday season is shaping up to be a more affordable time for travelers to take to the skies. With decreased airfare averages and reduced costs for domestic and international flights, more people are likely to take advantage of the opportunity to travel during this festive time of year. Whether visiting family or exploring new destinations, holiday travel is becoming more accessible and budget-friendly for those looking to create lasting memories during the holiday season.
