Flying during Thanksgiving and Christmas will be more expensive this year in the United States, with airfare reaching a decade-high and increases of up to 31% compared to 2025.
According to the 2026 Holiday Travel Index by Hopper, a round-trip domestic flight for Thanksgiving will cost an average of $402, about $95 more than last year.
For Christmas, the average rises to $452 for a round trip, an annual increase of 23%, equivalent to about $85 more per ticket.
The increase in costs comes in a year marked by a significant rise in aviation fuel prices following the conflict with Iran. According to Hopper, the price jumped from $2.41 to $4.14 per gallon in just over two months, a rise of 74%.
Brent crude oil, which was around 65 dollars per barrel before the hostilities, surpassed 100 dollars in September. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has estimated that fuel could be about 70% more expensive by 2025, adding approximately 10 billion dollars to airlines' costs.
The worst day to return after Thanksgiving
The choice of dates can make a difference of hundreds of dollars.
For those traveling during Thanksgiving, Sunday, November 29, is noted as the most expensive day: the average fares associated with those itineraries reach $604.
Delaying the return until Monday or Tuesday can reduce the cost by up to approximately $350, resulting in a potential savings of around $250.
For departure, Hopper identifies Monday, November 23, as one of the most affordable options, with fares around $370.
Christmas: be careful with the weekend before
For the Christmas holidays, the highest prices are expected between Friday, December 18, and Sunday, December 20, when tickets could approach $500.
Those who are flexible will find better prices if they travel on the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas, with fares around $440.
It is also worth paying attention to the return trip. On Sunday, December 27, prices are approximately 20% higher, while after New Year's there is another significant increase: by January 2, 2027, rates may exceed $560.
Mexico and Central America are also becoming more expensive
International travelers are also affected by the increases.
For Christmas, flights to Mexico and Central America are 23% more expensive than last year, while fares to Europe have increased by 15%.
In contrast, long-distance travel to Africa, Asia, and Oceania maintains prices similar to or slightly lower than those observed in 2025.
Within the United States, New York, Miami, and Orlando are among the most popular destinations for both festivities. The presence of Miami and Orlando is particularly significant for travelers from Florida during weeks traditionally marked by high demand.
Among the most sought-after international destinations for Thanksgiving are Tokyo, London, and Paris, while Bangkok and Mexico City also stand out for Christmas.
When is it best to buy the tickets?
Hopper recommends booking flights and hotels before Halloween to try to secure better rates, as prices tend to rise as the holidays approach.
Hotels show a less uniform behavior compared to flights. For Thanksgiving, the average rate remains around $170 per night, similar to 2025. At Christmas, it reaches $197, which is an 18% increase from last year.
The report also offers another piece of advice to reduce issues during peak times at airports: fly early.
Flights departing after 9:00 a.m. are about twice as likely to experience delays compared to those scheduled between 5:00 and 8:00 a.m., according to data collected by Hopper.
The study also detects a notable shift in how vacations are organized: 33% of adults are already using generative artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, to research and plan trips, compared to 35% who use traditional search engines.
With Thanksgiving and Christmas flights at a ten-year high, selecting the right departure and return dates can save hundreds of dollars per person, especially for families that need to purchase multiple tickets.
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