AAA Urges Florida Travelers to Book Holiday Flights Early

AAA advises Floridians to schedule holiday trips early and allow extra connection time as a poll finds widespread travel disruptions.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Air Travel

AAA Urges Florida Travelers to Book Holiday Flights Early

Live Poll

Do you plan to travel for the upcoming holidays?

AAA urged Floridians to book holiday travel early and leave more time between flights. A Kayak analysis found travelers flying on Thanksgiving Day could pay up to 19% less for a domestic ticket than those leaving Nov. 20.

Why it matters

Many Florida adults reported travel problems, and nearly half said they had put off booking a trip and paid more as a result. Early planning and extra buffer time can help travelers manage costs and disruptions.

AAA surveyed 400 Florida adults online Aug. 5-13 with a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points, and 62% reported at least one travel problem in the past two years. Kayak found Thanksgiving Day domestic fares could run up to 19% below those for Nov. 20 departures, though the source does not specify the routes covered.

The players

AAA

AAA is a nationwide motor club and travel services organization known for its travel advice and its Consumer Pulse polling.

Kayak

Kayak is an online travel search company that compares airfares and travel prices across airlines and booking sites.

The details

AAA recommends taking a morning flight when possible and arriving a day early for cruises, tours or scheduled events. It also advises pricing out checked bags, airport parking and ground transportation before settling on a fare.

Aug. 5-13: AAA surveyed 400 Florida adults online.
September or October: 26% of respondents said they started or expected to start holiday planning.
Nov. 20: Comparison departure date for Kayak's Thanksgiving airfare analysis.
Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Day flight date with up to 19% lower domestic fare.

Seasonal Patterns

AAA's advice rests on its Consumer Pulse polling data, which shows a pattern of Florida travelers facing flight delays, cancellations and severe-weather disruptions. The recommendations apply that polling to the holiday travel window, when airfare differences between departure dates are most pronounced.

Booking early and choosing a morning flight can reduce the chance of delays and missed connections. Pricing out bags, parking and ground transportation before selecting a fare helps avoid surprise costs at checkout.

The takeaway

Comparing fares across departure dates and building in extra time between flights can protect both your budget and your travel plans. Checking total trip costs, not just the base fare, helps avoid the price increases AAA's poll respondents described.