11 Smart Moves: Cheapest Day to Fly for Christmas (And the Day to Avoid)

4. Skip Dec. 26–30 if possible: post-Christmas return prices spike

Return travel after Christmas creates another peak window that often carries the highest fares of the season. December 26 and the following days see a huge surge in demand as people return to work and school, and evidence shows that fares for those days climb quickly. That post-holiday rush can last through the weekend and even into the week, depending on where New Year’s Day falls. If you can, extend your return into the first full week of January or choose a midweek return like Jan. 2–3, when demand softens. When changing return dates isn’t possible, consider flying home earlier on Dec. 26—some midday or late-night flights show lower fares than peak evening slots. Another tactic is to book a one-way into your destination and an open-return ticket, then monitor prices for a better return and switch if the fare improves. Keep in mind that availability becomes a constraint as seats fill, so weigh flexibility against the comfort of a guaranteed seat on your preferred return date.