US Travelers Search Earlier for 2025 Holiday Flights as Airfares Rise: What You Need to Know

Published on September 24, 2025

As the 2025 holiday travel season approaches, travelers across the United States are beginning their flight searches earlier than ever before, responding to rising airfare costs and economic concerns. Data reveals that Americans are now searching for Thanksgiving and Christmas flights about fifteen days earlier compared to the previous year, signaling a shift in consumer behavior driven by the desire for cost savings and travel convenience. This evolving trend has significant implications for the travel and tourism industry, especially during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Earlier Flight Searches Reflect Shifts in Consumer Planning

The 2025 holiday period sees travelers prioritizing early preparation, driven in part by airfare prices that have already climbed above 2024 levels. For both Thanksgiving and Christmas, flight prices are notably higher: domestic airfare has increased by roughly ten percent for Thanksgiving and seven percent for the winter holidays. Average domestic roundtrip fares for Thanksgiving are now around dollar seven hundred fifty one, while winter holiday airfares average dollar six hundred eighty five.

This early search behavior illustrates travelers’ growing awareness that waiting too long may result in elevated prices and limited seat availability. Many Americans are now locking in flights sooner to avoid the stress and cost burden typically associated with last-minute holiday travel.

Optimal Travel Dates Vary by Region and Destination

The data highlights that while traveling on the exact holiday day can offer savings from fifteen percent to thirty percent in some regions, varying departure dates can yield even better deals depending on the destination. For example, travelers heading to the Southeastern US during Christmas can save approximately twenty seven percent by departing on December 24 instead of other dates.

The most expensive travel days include the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 26), with average one-way fares hitting dollar seven hundred fifty six, and the Saturday before Christmas (Dec. 20), with fares averaging dollar nine hundred five. Return flights following the holidays, Sunday after Thanksgiving and Saturday after Christmas, also show price spikes, further encouraging travelers to adjust travel plans to less congested dates.

International Travel: Opportunities and Price Trends

Unlike domestic airfares, international Thanksgiving flights have seen a slight decrease (one percent year-over-year), averaging dollar 1,241 roundtrip. Select regions, including Western Europe, Canada, and Western Asia, are witnessing discounts of ten percent to thirty percent during the critical Thanksgiving week, making it an excellent window for international travel savings.

However, international fares during the broader winter holiday period have increased by about six percent, with an average cost of dollar 1,740. This mixed pricing landscape encourages travelers to strategically plan their international travels during discount windows such as the Thanksgiving travel week while booking early to avoid higher prices closer to Christmas and New Year.

Key Recommendations for Holiday Travelers and Tourism Stakeholders

The 2025 holiday airfare trends emphasize several crucial points for the tourism ecosystem:

• Early Booking Is Essential: Locking in flights before price surges reduces travel stress and maximizes available options.
• Flexible Dates Offer Savings: Shifting departure or return dates by even one day can cut costs significantly.
• Domestic Travel Costs Impact Budgets: The raising costs of domestic flights require thoughtful budget planning, affecting ancillary tourism expenditures such as lodging and activities.
• International Travel Windows: Strategic travel during lower-priced weeks such as Thanksgiving offers substantial savings and can stimulate cross-border tourism flows.

Travel advisors and tourism operators can leverage these insights to offer tailored guidance, packaged deals, and flexible options that align with contemporary booking behaviors and budget considerations.

Booking Intelligence from Going Travel App

Going, a leading travel app born from the blend of advanced software and expert flight deal curation, facilitates well-informed consumer decisions. With over two million members, Going provides high-quality flight alerts vetted by specialists, helping travelers pinpoint savings of up to ninety percent on flights worldwide.

Their data-driven insights reveal the shift in booking behaviors and underline opportunities to capture market demand through personalized alerts and pro-active sales strategies.

Tourism Impact: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

Rising airfare prices present challenges but also opportunities to reshape holiday tourism dynamics. Increased travel costs may re-route some travelers to nearby or less traditional destinations, promoting regional tourism diversity. Providers need to emphasize value-added experiences and enhanced customer service to attract and retain holiday travelers facing economic pressures.

Moreover, early flight search behavior can help tourism businesses anticipate demand shifts early, optimizing redemptions, pricing strategies, and inventory management for accommodations, tours, and transport services.