Christmas and New Year Flights
Best booked Nov–Dec
Christmas and New Year travel carries the highest fares of the year, and the exact dates you pick swing the price by hundreds of dollars. Departures from December 19 to 23 and returns from December 26 to January 2 are the peak — everyone is trying to be somewhere for the holiday and home for the new year on the same few days. Leaving on December 24 or 25 itself, when the rush has passed, and returning after January 3 is dramatically cheaper.
The booking window is unforgiving: holiday fares are best locked in by mid-October, and unlike most trips they almost never drop as the date nears. If your dates are even slightly flexible, tell the agent — a single day either side of the peak can be the biggest saving available on the whole trip.
Buy standard economy, not basic economy, so a winter-storm disruption or a change of plans does not cost you a change fee on top of the holiday premium. Consider travel insurance or a refundable fare if the trip is expensive and the weather risk is real.
The routes below are the busiest holiday pairs, including warm-weather escapes. Fares shown are recorded lows, not live quotes — call and an agent will find the cheapest dates around your holiday.
Christmas and New Year Flights: lowest recorded fares
The cheapest dated fare on each matching route. Recorded lows, not live quotes.
- Mon, Nov 9 – Wed, Nov 11Los Angeles to Las VegasLAX → LASCall(708) 866-8751$45round trip · recorded low
Recorded fares from cached search data, not live quotes. An agent confirms availability and today's price on the call.
Christmas and New Year Flights: routes
Cheaper Christmas and New Year flights
- Departing December 24 or 25 and returning after January 3 is far cheaper than the December 19-23 and December 26-January 2 peaks.
- Book by mid-October for the best Christmas fares.
- A changeable standard fare lets you move a date if family plans shift; basic economy usually cannot be changed.
- Overnight and early-morning departures on holiday travel days price lower.
Need help with this trip?
Licensed agents at our partner agency handle these by phone, 24/7. No charge for a quote.
Guides for this kind of trip
SeasonalWhen to Book Thanksgiving and Christmas FlightsThe dates that are cheapest and most expensive around the holidays, and the deadline after which fares only rise.
SeasonalHoliday Flights with Kids: Seats Together, Timing, and Backup PlansHow to guarantee adjacent seats, which flights to pick with children, and what to do when winter weather hits.
Frequently asked questions
When are the cheapest days to fly at Christmas?
Leaving on December 24 or 25 and returning after January 3. The expensive blocks are December 19-23 outbound and December 26-January 2 return.
How early should I book?
By mid-October. Like Thanksgiving, holiday fares rise steadily and rarely drop.
Can I change a holiday ticket if plans change?
On a standard economy fare, yes — US carriers waive the change fee and you pay only any fare difference. Basic economy usually cannot be changed.
Are these fares live?
No. They are the lowest fares recorded recently on each route from cached search data, refreshed nightly. The agent quotes the live price when you call.
How do I get one of these fares?
Call (708) 866-8751 with the route and your dates. If the recorded fare is still available the agent books it; if not, they find the closest current fare across all airlines.
Can I book these online?
No. Every booking is made by phone with a licensed agent so names, dates, and fare rules are confirmed before payment.
Fares shown are the lowest recorded in our nightly fare snapshot — recorded lows, not live quotes; a licensed agent confirms today's price on the call. Compiled by the WarBird Flight editors; WarBird Flight is independent and not affiliated with any airline. Sources: DOT Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.