November 5, 2026
Holiday travel is shaping up to be pricey. A Hopper analysis projects the 2026 holiday travel season to be the most expensive in a decade.
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The Numbers
Thanksgiving flights are averaging $402 round trip, up 31% from last year, while Christmas flights average $452, up 23%. Domestic hotel rates are steady for Thanksgiving at about $170 a night, but jump 18% to $197 a night for Christmas. A later CNN report said booking data showed Thanksgiving airfare was up nearly 40% compared with the same point last year. Different sources measure this differently, which is why the numbers vary.
2026 holiday travel: Thanksgiving, Christmas airfares reach highest prices in a decade
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Why Fares Are So High
Hopper pointed to prolonged high jet fuel costs, with carriers cutting some less profitable flights and raising fares and baggage fees. Experts also point to fewer low-cost options, noting that Spirit Airlines left the industry in May.
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Will Prices Come Down?
Unlikely, according to airlines. Airline executives said not to expect prices to fall this holiday season, and that fares could become even more expensive. Hopper had recommended booking before Halloween, so travelers who still haven’t booked are already behind the ideal window.
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The Day You Fly Matters
Fares spike above $600 on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Flying instead on off-peak days like Black Friday, Cyber Monday or Thanksgiving Day itself can lower the price.
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Ways to Save
Be flexible: shifting your trip by one day can save a lot.
Set fare alerts and check prices daily.
Look at nearby airports and compare driving costs.
Consider hotels outside the busiest nights, since rates vary by date.
Key Takeaways
Thanksgiving flights average about $402, up 31%, a 10-year high.
High jet fuel costs and fewer low-cost carriers are driving prices.
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the priciest return day.
Flying on Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday or Cyber Monday can be cheaper.
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