With the holiday season soon approaching, many Americans find the period between October 15th and January 15th the most depressing time of the year. The reason for such despair could be the pressures of gifts, monetary or even the fear of no cheer. But for many, it’s the daunting process of the hustle and bustle of holiday air travel. Air travel during the holiday season can be scary, intimidating and downright depressing, but the key is to prepare.
If you plan to fly the friendly skies this holiday season, expect to pay a hefty price tag? But there are measures you can take to ease the ticket price. It is estimated that the average airfare for a round trip this Thanksgiving will range around $300, roughly 30% higher than in 2021. In addition, the week before Christmas, leading to the week after New Year, the average airfare is $500, a whopping 25% higher than years past.
With air travel demand high, the only line of defense is to purchase your tickets early. If you plan to travel by air this holiday season, and you haven’t purchased at this juncture, “You’re already in trouble.” Travel demand has returned to pre-pandemic numbers; however, the cost of jet fuel, labor shortages and fewer routes will lead to one of the most congested travel seasons in history.
What You Can Do?
The best defense to the holiday airfare price surges is to book early. Experts recommend booking two months prior to planned dates of travel. Travelers who can afford flexibility in departure and arrival dates will be the real winners this holiday season. Arriving or departing on a weekday during a Monday or Tuesday will save you hundreds of dollars opposed to the busy weekends. By having flexibility in your holiday travel schedule, the chances for cancellation or delays are significantly lower, which will save you the stress and confusion.
While airlines have hiring staff and pilots in preparation for the busy holiday season, the air travel demand is estimated to outweigh the industry. An estimated 75% of Americans plan to travel this holiday season with only 30% planning to travel by car. This means we can expect air travel to be congested and complicated. The best advice is to be prepared, patient, and expect the unexpected. With scale backed routes by the airlines, prepare for cancellations and last minute delays during the holiday season.
- Book Early
- Make a plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to your scheduled travel.
- Bring snacks and reading materials
- Use mailing service to pre-ship gifts and travel items
- TSA PreCheck
- Know Carriers bag policy and prepare
