Group product manager James Byers reports that for trips that start in mid-December, “you’re most likely to find deals around early October.” “Average prices tend to be lowest 71 days before departure. This is a big change from He 2022 insights, which found that average prices were lowest just 22 days before departure.” .”
The 2022 report, released last summer, found that domestic Christmas travel price drops occurred within 20 and 88 days before Christmas. Currently, the company expects travelers to find the typical low price range 54-78 days before departure.
Set your calendar to early October
For Christmas 2023, the typical low ticket prices should be from the first week of October to the end of the month. According to Google, October 12th airfare should be the cheapest for those who want to travel on the Friday before Christmas (December 22nd). October 15th is the best day to book For those who fly on vacation.
What hasn’t changed since the 2022 report, Byers said, is that avoiding weekend departures and choosing connecting flights instead of direct flights are some of the best ways to save on holiday and other airfare. There is.
71 days off is a recommendation, not a rule
Scott Keyes, Founder of Cheap Flight Booking Site Going.comsaid Google’s methodology needs to be reviewed to take their opinions into account. latest data. Still, he warns travelers not to circle 71 days before as the cheapest expected date. Instead, travelers should view that timeline as the point in time when cheap flights operate. Most likely to appear.
According to Going’s analysis, travelers want to look for the so-called “Goldilocks window” (not too early, not too late) to get the cheapest flights. For domestic flights, one to three months in advance for off-peak travel and three to six months in advance for peak travel such as Christmas and New Year, Keys said. Google’s lowest price 71 days before take-off is in line with Going’s estimate of the Goldilocks window for off-peak hours, but “does not apply well to peak-season travel,” Keys said in an email.
We’re in the Goldilocks window for holiday tickets right now, and Keyes says discounts are coming out accordingly. He cited some recent round-trip fares on full-service airlines, including $158 for a direct flight from Dallas to Chicago, $148 for a non-stop flight from Ohio Airport to New York City, and $148 for a non-stop flight from Seattle to Boston in business class. A direct flight costs $988.
But as Christmas approaches, “cheap flights are likely to dry up, and travelers will have to choose between slightly higher fares and ridiculously higher fares,” Keyes said.
Where travelers go this winter
In addition to price predictions, Google Flights also delves into winter travel trends Based on the most searched destinations. For travel departing from U.S. airports between December 20th and January 5th, expect congestion to Cancun, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, London, New York, Tokyo, San Juan, Honolulu, Orlando, Paris and Los Angeles. Masu.
This is in line with Expedia’s air search results over the past week, with Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, New York and San Juan ranking among the top destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays, according to Expedia Group. A spokesperson told the Washington Post.
Flight and hotel prices are trending downward
Kayla Insella, a consumer travel trends expert at online travel agency Kayak, said the price outlook is bright for domestic travelers this winter. Hotel and car rental prices have fallen by up to 16% from the same period last year, and domestic air fares are down 5%, he said.
Similar to Google Flights, Inserra recommends setting price alerts for your preferred travel dates now and setting price alerts at your convenience. For even more savings, you can research airfares to find better fares even after booking.Thanks to the impact the pandemic has had on airline booking policies, it’s easy Cancel, get flight credits, or adjust your trip with no fees.