Thanksgiving is the busiest travel week of the year in the US, and the fares behave like it. Here’s when to book, which days to fly, and the one day everyone regrets.
When to book
Fares for Thanksgiving week tend to climb steadily from early October. There is rarely a last-minute deal for the most popular dates. If you haven’t booked by mid-October, book this week, and set a fare alert on the dates you actually want rather than waiting for a drop.
Book directly with the airline or through a site that shows the airline’s own fare rules. If plans might change, check whether your fare allows a change without a fee; most US airlines dropped change fees on standard economy, but basic economy usually can’t be changed at all.
The days to fly
Cheaper: the Monday or Tuesday before, early on Thanksgiving morning itself, and the Tuesday or Wednesday after.
Most expensive: the Wednesday before and the Sunday after.
Flying on Thanksgiving Day sounds strange until you try it. The airport is quiet, security is fast, and you can still land in time for dinner if you take a morning flight. It’s often the cheapest day of the whole week.
The day to avoid
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is consistently one of the busiest days of the year at US airports. Security lines are long, flights are full, and one weather delay cascades. If you can, fly home Monday instead, or on Saturday.
A few things that help
- Take the first flight of the day. Morning departures are delayed least often, and if they are, you have the rest of the day to rebook.
- Carry on if you can. Bag drop lines on Wednesday can be longer than security.
- Check your terminal’s parking before you go. Airport lots fill up the Tuesday before.
- Driving? Leave before 2 p.m. Wednesday or after 8 p.m. Traffic peaks in the late afternoon.
The rest of the plan, from the guest list to the oven timeline, is in our Thanksgiving hub.