High jet fuel prices have driven up holiday airfares to a level travel analysts haven’t seen in 10 years. Even with three weeks to go before Thanksgiving, there are still ways to cut costs on holiday airfare before they rise even more.
The same number of flights are scheduled for 2026 compared to 2025 at Raleigh-Durham International, which is 250 departures and arrivals no November 26. A spokesperson for the airport says airline companies are flying larger aircraft, meaning that the the total number of passengers may be more even if flight numbers are the same.
Flight prices higher than last year, will continue to rise
The average cost of a domestic flight for Thanksgiving is up approximately $100 compared to last year, according to travel sites Hopper and Kayak. Christmas airfare is similarly up 23% from last year, according to Hopper’s 2026 travel index.
Julia Hall, passing through Raleigh-Durham International Airport, booked her Christmas flights early this year. The same tickets, weeks later, cost more than $700.
“I probably would have just stayed home,” she joked.
Holiday airfares can be higher in any given year, but the difference this holiday season is just how high those increases appear to be.
“The main difference in these high travel prices this year is the scale of the increase we’re seeing year over year. In a typical year, we might see prices rise between one and 5%, or fall between 1% and 3%, depending on what’s happening. What we’re seeing this year is strong double-digit increase in prices for Thanksgiving,” Hayley Berg, a lead economist with Hopper, said.
Even though time is running out, there are still ways to save on holiday airfares before the holidays.
1. Stop waiting, buy the ticket
If you’re holding out hope that prices for domestic flights will come down just before the holiday, it could be a risky gambit that ends up costing you more in the end.
“One really important thing to remember is that as you approach holiday travel times [is that] there are not deals. There will not be sales. Do not wait for a sale,” Lisa Gill of Consumer Reports says.
Historical data shows, generally, flight prices only increase in the days leading up to a holiday. Kayak reports that last year, the average price for domestic flights rose more than $80 from two weeks before Thanksgiving to the week of the holiday itself.
Prices can change even day-to-day.
“We’re expecting price jumps of $10, $20 and maybe even $30 per day for trips departing over the holiday,” Berg said.
As counterintuitive as it may seem, spending now instead of later could save you money in the end.
2. Changing your fly in – or out – date really can work
The most popular travel plan around Thanksgiving includes departing on Wednesday and flying back on Sunday, making it one of the most expensive routes you can travel around the holiday.
But changing either of those dates by one or two days can significantly lower the prices for domestic flights.
“Fly earlier in the week, Monday or Tuesday before the holiday, or fly on the holiday itself,” Berg said. “Come back early in the week after Monday or Tuesday, or even Saturday if you need to get back before the end of the weekend. Flying on the least expensive days is the biggest way last-minute bookers are going to be able to get a better deal on their fares.”
Thanksgiving itself, Nov. 26, is tracking to be the quietest travel day for the holiday, according to Kayak. Fares could be up to 19% lower for domestic flights compared to November 20, the priciest day to take off.
When put to the test, round-trip fares from Raleigh to New York dropped significantly — in some cases by hundreds of dollars — by picking a different return date, even with little time remaining before Thanksgiving itself.
3. Two one-way flights may be better than round trip
One-way flights give travelers greater flexibility to pick different airlines and departure times, which may reduce the total cost of an equivalent round-trip itinerary.
“Sometimes you can find much better deals by booking each individual segment and not a single as a single round trip,” Gill says. “It also gives you a chance to fly a different airline back that could be a better itinerary or that is a cheaper price. If you’re flying back and forth from New York to Raleigh, price each segment and purchase individually.”
4. Stop hoarding credit card points
Over time, points earned through your credit card can be devalued as they’re subject to general inflation. Ultimately, using points now may be worth money than holding on to them for a future purchase.
Source: www.wral.com
