Thanksgiving Abroad May Offer Better Value as US Airfares Climb
Domestic Thanksgiving fares are up 15% this year, while international prices remain steady, according to Going’s holiday travel outlook.
Photo: Pierre Blache / Unsplash
Travelers planning Thanksgiving and Christmas trips will face higher domestic airfares this year, while international prices have remained essentially unchanged, according to Going’s new 2026 Holiday Travel Outlook.
The flight deals app found that average domestic round-trip economy fares are up 15% year over year for Thanksgiving and 16% for Christmas. For travel advisors helping clients finalize holiday plans, the findings point to potential savings through flexible departure dates or an overseas itinerary.
“For holiday travel, the takeaway is simple: The sooner you book, the better position you’re in,” said Going flight expert Willis Orlando.
Timing can make a big difference: Monday, November 23, is the cheapest day to depart for Thanksgiving, while Christmas Eve offers the lowest departure fares for Christmas travel. The weekends before and after each holiday are the most expensive days to depart or return, according to Going.
The increases also vary considerably by region. The Midwest saw the largest Thanksgiving jump, with fares up 28% from last year. For Christmas, the Northeast leads with a 34% increase. The West has recorded the smallest increases for both holidays: 11% for Thanksgiving and 14% for Christmas.
Travelers considering an international Thanksgiving trip may find better prices. Going identifies Thanksgiving week as one of the best times of year for overseas flight deals, as Americans focus on domestic travel.
Recent round-trip deals collected Oct. 5 included New York–Casablanca for $649, San Francisco–Seoul for $664, and Los Angeles–London for $617. Other examples included Chicago–Berlin for $595 and Los Angeles–Auckland for $763. (These are snapshots rather than guaranteed current fares; Going notes that individual deals typically last just one or two days.)
The company also recommends checking award availability, saying points pricing hasn’t risen as fast as cash fares this year. The national comparisons use search-volume-weighted average round-trip economy fares collected Sept. 23–30 in 2026 and 2025. They do not measure premium cabin pricing.
