Holiday Airfares Hit Highest Level in 10 Years
Hopper reports round-trip domestic fares for Thanksgiving and Christmas are sharply higher than last year.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Travel — General
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Hopper reports 2026 holiday airfares are the highest in 10 years, with round-trip domestic fares for Thanksgiving averaging $402, up 31% from last year. Christmas fares average $452, up 23%, based on a week of flight searches analyzed in September.
Why it matters
Higher holiday airfares add significant cost to family travel budgets during peak travel periods. Hopper attributes the increases to months of surging jet fuel prices tied to conflict in Iran.
Hotel nightly rates average $170 for Thanksgiving, in line with 2025, while Christmas hotel rates average $197 per night, up 18% from last year. Hopper's analysis covers domestic airfare only and does not report how fare changes affect total trip costs for every traveler.
The players
Hopper
A travel booking app and fare-prediction company whose analysis of holiday flight searches is the basis for this report.
The details
Hopper's analysis found fares to Mexico and Central America are up 23% and fares to Europe are up 15% for Christmas travel. A TikTok user reported a return trip from JFK to Buffalo costing $11,400 to $12,203, including a layover in Fort Lauderdale, and 33% of adults reported using generative AI tools to plan getaways.
Timeline
September 2026: Hopper analyzed a week of flight searches.
Monday, Nov. 23, 2026: Most affordable Thanksgiving departure day, averaging $370 round-trip.
Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026: One of the most expensive travel days, averaging $604 round-trip.
December 18-20, 2026: Most expensive Christmas departure weekend, near $500 per ticket.
Before January 2, 2027: Return fares surge above $560 per ticket.
Travel Outlook
Hopper's year-over-year holiday tracking shows 2026 airfares rising far faster than prior seasons, reaching levels not seen in a decade. The increase follows months of higher jet fuel costs, which airlines have had to pass on to holiday travelers.
Travelers booking Thanksgiving may find the lowest fares on Monday, Nov. 23, while the Sunday, Nov. 29 return is among the most expensive days. Christmas return fares are projected to climb above $560 per ticket before January 2, so booking earlier may reduce costs.
The takeaway
Flexible travel dates can meaningfully reduce holiday airfare costs this year. Comparing departure days and tracking fares before booking can help households stay within budget.
Further reading
For broader context on fares and destinations, explore Travel — General coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.
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