As millions of Americans prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas getaways, a new analysis of more than 40,000 flights reveals the travel days that will hit your wallet hardest—and the ones that could save you money.
An analysis by Upgraded Points has compared fares on the 10 busiest domestic routes in early November with prices during the 10-day windows around both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Across the routes analyzed, the average one-way fare rose from $178 during the control week to $276 during the 10-day Thanksgiving window, revealing a 55 percent increase in travel cost over the holiday season.
The analysis pulled Google Flights fare data for the 10 busiest U.S. domestic routes, comparing a control week in early November with the 10-day windows surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas. The results covered more than 40,000 flights and revealed which specific days of each holiday window are most and least expensive.
Thanksgiving: The Cheapest and Most Expensive Days
Thanksgiving week brings some of the sharpest jumps in airfare, but not every day is equally painful.
Cheapest days to fly:
- Sunday, November 23
- Monday, November 24
Both days show small drops in average fares compared to early November—rare relief during the holidays.
Moderately priced days:
- Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 27) itself is slightly more expensive than a normal November day but far cheaper than the surrounding dates.
- Black Friday (Friday, November 28) also lands in the middle of the range.
Most expensive days:
- Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 25–26)
- The Saturday and Sunday after the holiday (Nov. 29–30)
These dates see the heaviest demand from travelers trying to make the most of a long weekend—and the price spike reflects it.
Christmas: The Cheapest and Most Expensive Days
Unlike Thanksgiving’s dramatic day-to-day swings, Christmas fares steadily climb throughout the holiday window.
Cheapest days to fly:
- Sunday, December 21 and Christmas Day (December 25) tend to be among the more affordable times to fly.
- The final Sunday of the holiday period (December 28) is also fairly reasonably priced.
Most expensive days:
- December 23 and Christmas Eve—two of the year’s busiest travel dates.
- December 26 and 27, when the return-travel rush drives costs up significantly.
Upgraded Points looked at dates and airlines, and one stood out as the most reliable when it came to consistent pricing.
Southwest Airlines ticket costs remained the most stable in the study, showing far smaller holiday fare jumps than competitors.
Travel Conditions Improve as FAA Eases Flight Reductions
Travel this holiday season also comes with a significant operational update. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Monday it was ending the mandated reduction in domestic flights this week as concerns over air traffic safety ease following the end of the federal shutdown.
While the immediate easing of flight restrictions is expected to improve operational flow, experts and airline executives agree that it could take time for regular schedules to resume fully.
The change comes as highways are also expected to be crowded. This week, AAA released its forecast for Thanksgiving traffic, warning that the worst times to drive will be Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, while the best times are early mornings or after 7 p.m.
