Holiday Flights Are the Priciest in a Decade, and Halloween Is the Deadline

Holiday airfares are at a 10-year high, according to Hopper’s 2026 Holiday Travel Index as reported by CBS News. The average domestic round trip runs about $402 for Thanksgiving, up $95 from last year, and about $452 for Christmas, up $85. Hopper’s figures put the increases at roughly 31% and 23%.

The main driver is jet fuel. Prices averaged around $99 a barrel before the conflict involving Iran began in late February, spiked to about $209 in April, and were still near $195 in mid-September. Fuel can account for up to 30% of an airline’s operating costs, and carriers have responded with higher fares and fewer seats.

International trips are not spared. Hopper’s data points to Christmas fares to Europe of about $1,000 round trip, up around 15%, and Mexico and Central America near $936, up 23%. Thanksgiving fares to those regions are up 28% and 32% respectively.

Hopper’s economist advises locking in both Thanksgiving and Christmas trips before Halloween, after which she expects fares to climb further. Other tips include flying on a Monday or Tuesday rather than the busiest days, such as the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or Sunday returns, and staying flexible on destination.

Sources: CBS News, Hopper