U.S. travelers are bracing for an expensive holiday travel season by beginning their flight searches for Thanksgiving and Christmas even earlier this year.
According to new data from flight deal-finding travel app Going, travelers are starting their searches for both holidays earlier than they did in 2024, 15 days earlier on average for each holiday.
The data is based on Going-sourced search activity during the same date range, July 1 through September 16, in both 2024 and 2025.
“Earlier this summer, travelers had their pick of affordable airfare. However, as we step into the next peak season, that same travel luck may have run its course,” Going travel expert Katy Nastro said in a statement.
According to Going, U.S. Thanksgiving and winter holiday airfare averages are up 10 percent and 7 percent, respectively, this year. Average round-trip airfares for Thanksgiving come in at a whopping $751 for domestic flights, while winter holidays check in at $685 round-trip.
“Prices are already higher than last year for the winter holidays, and with the economy top of mind for millions of Americans, it’s no wonder we are seeing earlier search habits. Wait too long to book and the only thing you’ll be unwrapping is holiday stress, not savings,” Nastro warns.
For Thanksgiving travel, Going finds that international trips offer the best bet to stretch a budget, with fares down slightly at 1 percent year-over-year, averaging $1,241.
“For Thanksgiving, travelers should aim to book domestic trips ASAP, or at the latest by the end of the month,” Nastro recommends. “International flights have more leeway, so best to book by early October.”
“For Christmas, the best fares are gone quickly, especially domestic flights this year with fewer low-cost options. Travelers should get domestic trips booked by early October and international flights even sooner,” she adds.
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