The number of travelers flying this holiday season is expected to match, if not exceed, that of 2019.
But flying over Thanksgiving and Christmas will be less chaotic than this winter, experts say.
These are the best and worst days to fly, and when to buy your tickets (now).
Flying this winter has been enough to frustrate many seasoned travelers, leaving many of us wondering if the industry can clean up its act with the fast-approaching holiday season.
The number of travelers flying during the winter holidays is expected to meet — if not exceed — pre-pandemic levels, according to Expedia search data.
Despite strong demand, many experts agree that flying during the six-week period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is less chaotic than during the summer for two main reasons.
Summer travel increases are spread over three months, and holiday increases are date-specific, making it easier for airlines to plan.
Most major airlines have announced winter schedule cuts to prevent workers from being spread too thin.
According to FlyerAware data, cancellations among US carriers showed a significant improvement over the Memorial Day weekend, dropping from 2.2% to just 0.6% of total flights.
But travelers should still prepare for flight disruptions, especially on popular travel days, warns Phil Dengler, founder of the travel research website.
“There are still cancellations and delays because the demand is now outstripping supply,” an insider told us. “So it’s still going to be an issue, but it’s definitely going to be better than it was in the summer.”
How to avoid flight disruptions during Thanksgiving and Christmas
Holiday travelers walk through Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on November 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan.
Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
Dengler recommends booking an early morning non-stop flight directly with the airline to minimize your chance of disruption.
Checking a carry-on instead of checking bags can reduce the time you spend in airport queues and reduce the chance of losing your bag, he said.
On the booking side of things, the best time to grab cheap holiday flight tickets is during the summer months, but if you book now, you can still find affordable fares, Dengler said. To avoid overpaying, he recommends booking your Thanksgiving flights on Halloween and your Christmas flights on Thanksgiving – at the latest.
“Thanksgiving airfares are up 22 percent from 2019 and up 43 percent from last year,” the director said, adding that the best nonstop flights “will sell out in the next few weeks.”
Fall and winter flight options are more limited than in previous years, as major airlines have announced they are cutting back their schedules to prevent insufficient staffing.
“The shorter the routes to certain cities, the more likely you’ll have to book a connecting flight when you don’t need to, which unfortunately increases your chances of delays or cancellations,” Dengler explains. .
Best and worst days to fly
Travelers travel through the TSA screening line at Orlando International Airport before the Fourth of July weekend on July 1.
SOPA Images / Getty Images
Whether it’s a global pandemic or an industry-wide meltdown, there are certain days that consistently prove to be a terrible time to fly.
Since Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday, the busiest travel days are typically the Wednesday before and Sunday after. For flights on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, prices are much cheaper, Dengler said.
For less expensive flights and less hassle, Dengler recommends flying on Sunday, November 20. Monday, November 21; Tuesday, November 2; or flying home on Thursday November 24 and Friday November 25. Monday, November 28; or Tuesday November 29th.
Christmas’s busiest days are hard to predict because it doesn’t always fall on the same day of the week.
For 2022, Dengler expects the busiest travel date to be Thursday, Dec. 22. Friday, December 23; Monday, December 26; and Tuesday, December 27. The best days to fly are Sunday, December 18. Monday, December 19; Or Tuesday, December 20. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day flights are generally cheaper.
Dengler recommends flying home on Wednesday, Dec. 28 or Thursday, Dec. 29 to avoid the post-holiday rush.
Even if they follow all the tips and tricks, travelers should always have a plan-B if everything goes wrong, American Express Travel President Audrey Hendley told Insider.
“Be prepared and keep an open mind,” she said. “Things happen. Sometimes the weather comes and your flights change. Sometimes things don’t go your way.”
